What is Chai, Cha or Chai Latte? Do you know?

What Is Chai? Where does it come from? These questions comes in our mind so many times, when we see Chai, Masala Chai or Chai latte in the café menu these days. Also, we have been asked about origin of chai, how to brew and what is it?  during our tea pop-ups, so we thought of taking everyone, to the chai journey :)

Chai or Cha is a word used for tea in India, chai is sweet milky tea brewed with black tea leaves and when it’s brewed with spices like cardamom, cloves, pepper then its known as Masala Chai or Spiced tea. Chai is centuries old and the most loved beverage of India. 

But in ancient India, Chai was not the term used for tea, as we know today. It was for a healing concoction made with brewing fresh herbs and spices, popularly known as traditional kada in Ayurveda or Herbal tea these days ;) The recipe always differed as per the season and availability of ingredients. Kada consists of herbs, spices, leaves, and flowers mainly for its medicinal properties.

Later, tea plantations were set up in Assam during British rule and cup of Chai became a go-to drink. As for the question when and where was milk added to tea, nobody knows. Soon, Masala Chai was born, chai with aromatic healing spices… Guess what? It also differs region by region. Every region in India has a different taste of Masala Chai, like our Masala Chai collection (Traditional Masala Chai pack, Kolkata Masala Chai, Darjeeling Masala Chai and so on….) Now Chai has become a part of Indian culture and tradition. It’s always known to bring people together...just the way it connected us to all the chai lovers :)

How to Brew Masala Chai? Every one has a different way and different proportion of milk/water for making a cup of Chai. The traditional way of making chai is on stovetop…. and trust me, it doesn’t take much time. Follow our steps for making an authentic and yummiest Masala Chai :)

All you need is our, Masala Chai Pack- Morning Delight and Chai Masala.

 Masala Chai – 2 serves (8oz)

Ingredients:

Water: 1 Cup

Stovetop Chai spice mix ½ teaspoon per cup

Fresh Ginger: 1/2 teaspoon

Milk: 1 Cup

Stovetop Chai tealeaves: 1 full teaspoon per cup

Sugar: As per your preference (Recommended 1teaspoon per cup)

Use a brewing pot to warm 1 cup of water and add 1 teaspoon of our spice mix & ½ tsp. fresh ginger. After boiling water, add 1 cup of milk. When it’s about to have a boil, add 2 teaspoons of Stovetop Chai black tea and brew for 5 mins. Add sugar or honey as per your preference. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 seconds. Give 2-3 boils till it gets beautiful brown chai colour. Strain & serve!

Chai Masala is really strong as its all freshly ground spices. In case you find it strong then reduce the quantity of spice mix from ½ tsp per cup to ¼ tsp per cup.

If you want to make our Masala Chai quick at home, work or while travelling, then you can use Lazy Masala Chai.

Brewing Instructions for a Quick Masala Chai;

Put 1-2 heaped teaspoons in one small teapot. Add water at 100 degrees celsius and brew for 2-3 minutes until desired strength achieved. Add a dash of milk and some sugar if desired.

Stovetop Method:Use a saucepan to warm 1 cup of water and 1 cup of milk for 2 serves of chai, After boiling, add 1 teaspoon per cup of Lazy Masala chai blend and brew for 3-5 mins. Add sweetener, as required. We recommend 1 teaspoon of raw sugar/ honey. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 seconds. Strain & enjoy!

If you have anymore questions on Chai then send us through… We are happy to answer… Happy Chai Sipping!! :)