Adrak Chai
Adrak Chai is a warming, full-bodied Indian tea brewed with fresh ginger, black tea, fragrant cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, milk, and sugar. The result is a comforting cup that is spicy, creamy, and deeply aromatic, with a gentle heat from the ginger in every sip.
Ingredients
Chai masala base
- 300 mlwater
- 20 gfresh ginger, finely crushed or grated
- 4green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 2whole cloves
- 1 small piece (3 g)cinnamon stick
- 8 gblack tea leaves
- 20 gsugar
Milk finish
- 250 mlwhole milk
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the aromatics: finely crush or grate the ginger, lightly crush the cardamom pods, and keep the cloves and cinnamon ready. This increases surface area so the spices infuse quickly, which is important for a full-flavoured chai within 15 minutes.
- 2
In a small saucepan, combine the water, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a lively simmer for 4 minutes. The liquid should smell strongly aromatic and slightly spicy.
- 3
Add the black tea leaves and sugar, then simmer for 1 minute only. Do not boil the tea too long at this stage or it can become harsh and overly tannic.
- 4
Pour in the milk and raise the heat until the chai comes just to a boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer gently for 3 minutes, watching closely so it does not boil over. The colour should deepen to a warm caramel brown.
- 5
Turn off the heat and let the chai rest for 1 minute so the flavours settle and the tea leaves finish infusing without becoming bitter.
- 6
Strain the chai into 2 cups, pressing lightly on the solids to extract all the flavour. Serve hot.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a stronger ginger kick, lightly pound the ginger rather than only grating it.
- •If you prefer a lighter chai, reduce the milk to 200 ml; for a creamier cup, increase it to 300 ml.
- •CTC tea gives the most classic, robust roadside-style flavour, but any strong black tea works.
- •Adjust sugar to taste; many chai stalls serve it sweeter than this version.
Background
Adrak chai is a beloved everyday tea across India, especially popular during cool mornings and monsoon weather. Masala chai evolved through the blending of Indian spices with tea introduced during the colonial tea trade, and ginger became one of the most common and comforting additions. Today it is served everywhere from homes to railway platforms and street-side tea stalls.
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