UPDATE: This post originally ran on September 25th, but we can’t get enough of this warming recipe for the colder months!
Morning light slowly brightens your bedroom as you wake from a restful night’s sleep. It’s a new day and the crisp early fall air is sneaking through a nearby open window. Rather than hiding beneath the covers, you slip on a pair of cozy socks before shuffling to the kitchen to whip up something warm, spicy, and exotic with which to start your day.
Yes, a cup of soothing masala chai is exactly what you need as you welcome these early morning hours. But not the kind of sugar-laden, overwhelming concoction made from a store-bought box. No, this mixture is entirely your own, customized to your exact preferences. If you think this perfect drink doesn’t exist, you’d be wrong. You just haven’t made it yet.
Masala chai brings the kind of comfort that coffee and regular tea just can’t. It’s spicy, warming, and the perfect thing to enjoy on a brisk fall morning. I’ve long been a fan, but when I’m craving something slightly sweet, I’d rather not grab the processed version that comes in a pre-packaged box. Homemade concentrate is easy to whip up, and as an added bonus it makes your house smell incredible. Read on for the recipe, and be sure to play around with the ingredients to suit your taste – that’s the beauty of homemade.
Masala Chai Concentrate
Ingredients:
12 crushed cardamom pods
5 cinnamon sticks
8 black peppercorns
10 cloves
1 medium piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 vanilla bean, sliced down the center
2.5 cups of water
2 star anise
1/2 tsp allspice
2 tbsp coconut sugar or honey (to taste)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
5 black tea bags
Small saucepan
Strainer
Resealable glass jar
Add everything but the tea bags to the sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low, cover, and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, shut off the heat and add the tea bags to the pot. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes.
Strain the liquid into the glass container and allow to cool completely before covering and refrigerating. Use within seven days.
To make hot masala chai, combine equal amounts concentrate and any type of milk in a small saucepan and heat on medium until simmering. Transfer to a mug and enjoy. For iced, combine equal parts concentrate and preferred milk over ice.
More healthy recipe posts from the BLDG 25 blog.
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Oh my goodness this is a must. And absolutely stunning photos!
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.freepeople.com/profile/FPJulietteLaura
So pretty! I’d love to try, but not sure how I feel about spice in the morning :)
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
This sounds amazing! I’ll definitely be making this, but I think looseleaf black tea would be a nice touch instead of the bags :)
Am I weird looking forward to these gloomy, rainy, dark English day…when you can settle down in front of the woodburner holding a cup of hot coffee…or something spicy! Great recipe!
http://www.allnnothing.com
chai chai chai chai chai chai
http://lifturbum.blogspot.ca
I love Chai! I wrote about one of my favorites, Chocolate Chai, for my “Tea of the Week series :) https://whoisapneet.squarespace.com/blog/chocolate-chai-tea-from-alices-tea-cup
This is PERFECT for the upcoming autumn months!
http://www.eatwearwander.com
I think masala chai is one of my favourite things ever. Chai tea bags never quite cut it so I’m definitely going to be making this. Sounds like a perfect winter warmer
Wow this looks like everything I want and need in my life ever.
Thank you!
I just made this and I cant believe how delicious it is! So much better (and healthier) than the store-bought boxes! Incredible! From now on I am going to have that can full of lovely homemade masala chai all of the time in my fridge! Thank you for that amazing receipt!!
I’ve just made the recipe today. I love it. I have one question: if you are pregnant can you drink it? I know that some spices during pregnancy aren’t recommended. Thank you!
love that heart measurement spoon! I need that! on the hunt for it now <3!
Sarah
http://www.fitlush.com
made it, its pretty wild & so good.
only thing is that i, in my naivete, thought it would make more than it did.
next time im making this in bulk.
chai on.
Thanks for bringing this back up. I just found your website and am enjoying it a lot. I love chai. I’m going to place a spice order today and will be adding a few things to the order so I can make this.
Robin
http://robinfollette
Living a homesteading life in the woods of Maine
This recipe is amazing!!!
I use this mix in my regular tea with (cofee)milk instead of warm milk.
What a good healthy drink, thanks for share this. (“,)
An amazing medley of spices! This recipe makes a smooth, complex cup of chai. Agree with other poster that the yield is small. Stores for a week? This will be gone in the blink of an eye! Lusciousness in a cup.
Quick question for you guys, what do you mean by black tea? Would that be equal to Earl Grey or something else?
Daniel – Yes, Earl Grey or a plain black works great.
Approx how many cups of chai does the above recipe make? I want to make 20 cups x
The Brew Story Aus, provides authentic masala chai tea in all over Australia. Visit http://www.thebrewstory.com.au for more details.
Thanks,