How to Make Authentic Indian Chai

For EACH person you will serve chai to, do the following:

Place 1 teacup of water into a saucepan.

Add 1 heaping teaspoon of loose black tea leaves into the cold water. (Some Indians like to mix Lipton Red Label tea and Lipton Green Label tea. The mixture does provide a nice blend of flavor.)

Bring the water to a boil, and add in 1 teaspoon of sugar, and boil for 1 minute.

Add in one teacup of milk, and heat to boiling. Allow to boil for about 30 seconds, stirring so it doesn't boil over.

Strain and serve.

Notice that for one serving of chai I have 1 teacup of water, 1 heaping teaspoon of loose black tea, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teacup of milk. This provides more than one cup of chai per person! I do it this way for a couple of reasons. First of all, some of the water evaporates while boiling, Secondly, some people may want a second cup of chai. If I prepare chai in the way described above, I generally have just the right amount for all present, and everybody is happy.

Notice there are no spices in the above recipe. If you want to add spices to your chai, traditionally you will want to use a small piece of finely minced fresh ginger root in the winter or if making chai for someone with a cold, or a crushed cardamom pod or two in the summer. You may also use a powdered chai masala found in Indian grocery stores if you prefer a greater variety of spices, but add just a pinch for about four servings of chai. I like to add the spices in the cold water at the same time I add the tea leaves so the spices have time to infuse the water with flavor.