There is nothing I crave more than a warm and spicy cup of tea once the temperature drops and the flip flops are put away. Masala chai is essentially the fall season in a cup. Perhaps you may refer to this drink as “chai tea” but doing so is redundant as the word “chai” literally translates to tea and masala is the mix of spice used with the tea to create the delicious, traditional beverage. To make a homemade masala chai you just need a black tea from India, aromatic spices and herbs along with milk and sweetener.
My homemade masala chai recipe is one I have been using for a couple years now. There are many variations of pre-made chai blends out there and I do very much enjoy them.
But every now and then, I like to get out my spice rack and start filling the house with a lovely aroma from the stove top.
Stovetop Chai Tips
One thing I think is true is that the freshest ingredients make the best masala chai.
Don’t get me wrong, there have been many times I have made my homemade masala chai with ground cinnamon and ground ginger because that’s all I had on hand.
Use what you have, but if you can get fresh ingredients, even better! 
I like my masala chai with Assam black tea. The spices I use are cinnamon, cardamon (my favourite!!), cloves, ginger, and black peppercorn.
Of course, we have to sweeten it up a bit, which I like to do with sugar or even pure maple syrup. It’s always best to experiment with different ingredients to find the ideal chai blend. So feel free to add any additional spices or herbs to this recipe to make it a steep you’ll love!
If you want a really creamy and rich cup of masala chai, do a “double boil”. This simply means to let your chai boil twice once you add all of the ingredients and then strain + serve!
Some other additions for your homemade masala chai:
– Star Anise
– Coriander Seeds
– Fennel
– Bay Leaves
– Nutmeg
– White or Pink Peppercorn
Also, I have to introduce you to my new favourite tea set to serve masala chai. Made from serpentine rock and other natural materials, the teapot and cup are handcrafted by artisans of local villages in Northern India.
This beautiful tea ware will slowly season as well. If you’re interested in learning more about these handcrafted pieces, or checking out the full collection of teapots, visit Terra Klay here.
Now, on to the homemade masala chai recipe…
Homemade Stovetop Masala Chai
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Assam black tea
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 2 black peppercorn
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Using a mortar and pestle or directly on a cutting board, lightly crush the cardamom pods, black peppercorn, cloves and cinnamon stick. This will help the spices release their full flavours into the tea.
- In a small pot, add the water and spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, black peppercorn, and ginger) and heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Next, stir in the sugar, milk and Assam black tea. Bring the homemade masala chai to a light simmer and let it steep for 5 minutes. If you want a really creamy and rich cup of masala chai, do a “double boil”. This simply means to let your chai boil twice before the next step.
- Strain the homemade masala chai into a mug and enjoy right away!
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Check out this blog post for my favourite masala chai brands that are great for those days we sometimes just want to quickly steep a cup and enjoy.
*If you give this recipe a try, send me a photo of your creation on my Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Include the hashtag #theteacupoflife.
This is a lovely chai recipe! We’ll definitely make sure to try it out – I even think we should have all the spices at home! Will let you know how we liked it!
Tatjana & Tom from TeaPro