How to make Chai

The traditional method of making Chai

1. Put 3 teaspoons of Chai into a cooking pot.
2. Add 1 cup (8 oz) of water and 2 cups (16 oz) of milk. Stir and bring it to a boil.
3. When boiled reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes. *Watch carefully, it can foam up very quickly.
4. Then turn off the heat and stir in some sugar/honey to taste. Strain the leaves and pour chai into cups.

For a thinner brew, use 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk instead.

Picture above shows how to brew Masala Chai in a traditional way. Click to view product.

Modern Hot Chai brewing method

Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 heaping teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes. While the tea is brewing prepare your cup to receive the chai – put 2 teaspoons of sugar in the cup and add milk (about 20%) of the cup’s volume. You can also use steamed milk to get a richer taste. When the chai is ready – pour into your cup.

Iced Chai brewing method:

To make 1 liter/quart, place 6 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice, milk and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. (A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water)