Chai is a love language in India. On every corner, there is a chai vendor selling chai. If you go to anyone’s house, the first question is, “would you like some chai?” Each and every Indian has a secret recipe of the perfect balance of spices that goes into their chai. I love mine with a balance of sweet spices like green cardamom and fennel. A touch of rose petals makes it floral and delicious. Chai is never served by itself – there is always some form of biscuits, sweets or snacks.
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 25 min |
| Active: | 10 min |
| Yield: | about 6 cups |
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 25 min |
| Active: | 10 min |
| Yield: | about 6 cups |
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 5 to 6 black peppercorns
- 5 whole green cardamom pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1/2 cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 4 teaspoons loose black tea, preferably Assam
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon dried rose petals
- 1 star anise
- 1 cup jaggery or dark brown sugar
- Biscuits, sweets or snacks, for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a mortar and pestle, coarsely crush the fennel, black peppercorns, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Transfer the spice mix to a saucepan.
- Add the ginger, tea and 4 cups water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, add the milk, rose petals and star anise and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the jaggery or dark brown sugar to taste. Strain the mixture into cups and serve hot, with biscuits, sweets or snacks if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 183 |
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 8 mg |
| Sodium | 101 mg |
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 183 |
| Total Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Cholesterol | 8 mg |
| Sodium | 101 mg |