Desi Chai Recipes you Must Try

Desi Chai has steadily been gaining popularity among the masses over recent years.

From it’s recent introduction to popular coffee houses, as well as it’s strong taste and multiple medicinal properties, it’s no wonder that the demand for this legendary spiced tea, has been going crazy.

However, the Desi community are no strangers to this chai consumption. It is part of their routine to drink Chai regularly throughout the day, whether an authentic Indian Kadak chai, or a herbal infusion.

It’s easy to change up the taste of Desi Chai by adding ingredients or changing the technique slightly.

However different they are, they can still taste great and can be used whatever the occasion. Take a look at some of these great Chai recipes to try.

Masala Chai

Masala Chai is the go-to Desi Chai when guests come over. It enriches the traditional tea by using the strong flavours of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom.

Early recipes of Masala Chai usually included an even wider range of spices, and could also be served either hot or cold, to cure minor health problems.

Ingredients:

• 1 English breakfast teabag
• 6 green cardamom pods
• 6 cloves
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 12 peppercorns
• 500ml freshly boiled water
• 100ml milk
• 2-3 tsp sugar

Method:

1. Open the tea bag and place the contents in a saucepan.
2. Add all the spices and the boiling water, and simmer for three to five minutes over a medium-high heat.
3. Strain through a fine tea strainer into a jug, then return to the pan.
4. Add the milk and sugar
5. Stir over the heat for 30 seconds.

Chai Latte

Chai Latte’s have recently been integrated into the Starbucks and Costa menu. It’s a tame, milkier version of the Masala Chai, but still contains the same great ingredients and flavours.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 black tea bags
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp cardamom
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ? tsp ground allspice
• 2 TB pure maple syrup
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 TB pure maple syrup
• pinch of ground cinnamon

Method:

1. In a medium-size saucepan, bring the milk, maple syrup, and pinch of cinnamon to a slight boil (the sides of the milk will begin to bubble). Make sure you stir often.
2. Remove the pan from heat, when the sides of the milk begin to bubble.3.
3. Using an immersion blender (this is the trick to a frothy homemade latte), blend the milk until it’s frothy.
4. Pour half a cup of chai tea in a mug.
5. Slowly add the milk to the tea.
6. Add some cinnamon on top of the chai latte for extra taste.

Kashmiri Pink Chai 

Kashmiri Chai or Noon Chai is famous for its deep pink colour. The tea is traditionally salty as opposed to sweet, but it is a great tasting drink for winter, as it warms the body right to the core.

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp of Kashmiri tea leaves or green tea leaves
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2-3 pods of green cardamom
• Cinnamon stick
• 2 cups of water
• 2 cups of whole milk
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Finely chopped pistachios and/or almonds for garnishing

Method:

1. In a saucepan, heat 1 cup of water on medium heat. Add tea leaves and allow to boil.
2. Add bicarbonate of soda and whisk thoroughly .
3. Finally add remaining water and crushed cardamom and cinnamon and leave to boil.
4. Once the tea turns a bright red colour, turn down the heat and add milk.
5. Whisk thoroughly to get a slight froth.
6. The more milk you add the pinkier or lighter the tea will become.
7. Add salt and stir.
8. Serve in traditional cups and garnish with pistachios and almonds.

Sulaimani/Ghava Chai

This Desi Chai is a great remedy for fighting off the common cold, with its integration of medicinal ingredients such as lemon and ginger.

The zingy flavour makes this tea taste great for when you’re feeling under the weather.

Ingredients:

1. Water – 2 cups
2. Cardamom – 2 or 3 pods
3. Ginger – 2 tbsp (grated)
4. Lemon juice – 2 tsp
5. Tea powder – 1 tsp
6. Jaggery or palm jaggery – 2 tbsp

Method:

1. In a saucepan, boil water. After bubbling starts, add crushed cardamom pods, grated ginger, tea powder and jaggery.
2. Allow it to boil for 3mins, then add lemon juice and turn off the flame.
3. Filter the tea using a strainer and serve hot in a glass.

Ginger Cardamom Tea (Chai)

This Ginger Cardamom Desi Chai will get your taste buds tingling. It’s a great Desi chai to have in the winter season.

Ingredients:

• Milk – 1 cup
• Water – 1 cup
• Ginger – 1 tsp, grated or 1/4 tsp ginger powder
• Cardamom – 2 whole, pounded or 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• Sugar – to taste
• Tea – 2 tsp

Method:

1. Boil some water and grate ginger into a small pot. Allow this all to come to a boil.
2. Add in milk and allow it to come to a boil. Make sure you stir in between.
3. Stir in tea leaves and let it come to a boil.
4. Turn off stove, add cardamom powder, cover and allow tea to cool for 3-4 minutes.
5. You can add sugar at this point.

Not only do these Desi Chai recipes taste amazing, but they can also provide great health benefits, like curing a sniffly nose.

These delicious variations of the classic chai will keep open up your taste-buds to an infusion of different flavours.