In India, masala chai – a strong, sweet and milky tea brewed with spices, with its unique and exhilarating aroma – is woven into the very fabric of life. In most Indian homes, it’s the ritual that starts the day and the first thing offered to guests, the cornerstone of Indian hospitality. The scent of the simmering spices in the early morning lifts the spirits before even a drop is drunk; during the day it serves as a punctuation mark, a time to stop and reawaken; for some, it is a ritual to end the day with calmness, like a big sigh; and neighbourhood gossips and political discussions happen over a cup of chai.
Whether at the break of dawn, or mid-morning, noon, evening or even late at night, chai is always on the boil both in the homes and on the streets of India. It is the social lubricant for all occasions, ceremonies and transactions; and the cult term ‘chai pe charcha’, meaning ‘gossip over chai’, is a testament to the unparalleled popularity of chai in India. Chai wakes India up and keeps her people going.
Spice Blends
Most Indian families have their own distinctive spice blend, which they prepare in advance in quantity and use whenever they want to make a cup of chai. Spice blends are convenient, avoiding the need to grind or crush spices each time chai is made. They are also portable, allowing people to carry their chai blend with them to work or on trips, boiling it with milk and water or simply stirring it into a cup of plain tea.
My Mum’s Spice Blend
3 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch of ground clove (optional)
Mix together all the ingredients and store in an airtight container or a sprinkling jar to use daily, when needed. This masala mix will last you for around three weeks if you’re drinking chai every day. To keep the spice mix tasting its best, store your container out of direct sunlight, for up to three months.
To make chai with this spice mix, boil together:
1⁄2 cup milk
1⁄2 cup water
1–2 teaspoons tea leaves
1 teaspoon jaggery or sugar
1⁄4–1⁄2 teaspoon chai spice mix
Pour through a strainer into a cup and enjoy.
You can also carry this spice mix with you when travelling and simply add this into your teacup or mug when making a cup of tea using a teabag. Put the spice mix at the bottom of the cup with the teabag, then add the boiling water slowly on top, stirring as you pour, so that all the spices get mixed into the hot water.
Turmeric Chai
The combination of turmeric and milk is incredibly nourishing for the body and it is often recommended to drink this chai before bed. Turmeric chai, also known as golden milk, not only improves sleep quality, but is also a lovely ritual to incorporate into your evening routine.
Adding spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and pepper to this milk make it more aromatic and flavourful. Adding a pinch of black pepper to your turmeric is not only a great way to add warmth to your golden milk, but also nutritionally beneficial. Pepper contains a compound called piperine, which can help your body absorb curcumin, the active component in turmeric.
Curcumin has been found to boost mood and alleviate symptoms of depression; it inhibits molecules that cause inflammation in the body, in turn helping to boost immunity; and it’s been found to regulate blood-sugar levels and other health-related issues associated with diabetes. If drinking this at bedtime, add 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch of saffron.
Makes 1 cup
1 cup milk
1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger or fresh ginger, grated
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
a pinch of ground black pepper
1 teaspoon jaggery or any sugar you like (optional)
1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
a pinch of saffron (optional)
Boil together all the ingredients and stir on a low to medium heat for a few minutes. Once boiled, pour into a cup.
- This is an edited extract from The Book of Chai by Mira Manek, published by Headline Home on April 18 (£16.99)
- Lead picture credit: Hilary Hahn on Unsplash
