Speaking of chai

My friend Goo · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:19

How does one go about making a good cup of chai?

I managed to get some chai from the supermarket, but no matter what i try, it never taste like India

Post your recipes

Nick-H · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:31

When you say 'chai form the supermarket...'?

Chai is the name of the resulting drink, although it is possible to buy tea or tea bags that already have the masala added.

Try an Indian supermarket/general store, and ask for Chai Masala --- that will get you the basic mix of spices, ready ground, in a proportion that should be at least palatable.

Add a large pinch to your usual amount of tea and sugar, mix water with 30%to50% milk in a cup, add to your other ingredients, and bring to the boil. Simmer for a minute or so.

Alternatively, place it all in a large jug and microwave for 3 or 4 minutes for cup or mug --- which is what I do several times every day

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:33

get water to boil, add tea leaves, masala and let it simmer. After that add milk, sugar and again get it to boil.

My friend Goo · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:35

I was wandering if it was made purely on milk.

I meant from the supermarket

I don't think we have any Indian supermarkets here, i should just buy a whole bunch to take home with me

puchoo · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:38

We can do what we want and nothing will ever come close to the taste of a Dhaba Chai....!!

singsub · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:40

chuck it. chai isnt worth that much. drink the usual milk-less black tea instead. chai is a central asian drink, indianised over time.

puchoo · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:43

Its a very individual centric choice , cannot generalize it like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by singsub

chuck it. chai isnt worth that much.

mirjamd · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:43

If you can't find the chai masala in your supermarket at home, you can also use cardamom pods/ cinnamon sticks/ cloves in the tea instead. It worked for me in Amsterdam.

And singsub, I don't care if chai isn't originally indian, I need my daily fix

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 18th, 2008, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by singsub

chuck it. chai isnt worth that much. drink the usual milk-less black tea instead. chai is a central asian drink, indianised over time.

why the hell should someone do that !! if it is Indianised, why should one not drink it. I feel that you feel too much of your taste and try to impose it on others.

My friend Goo · Jul 18th, 2008, 18:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by mirjamd

If you can't find the chai masala in your supermarket at home, you can also use cardamom pods/ cinnamon sticks/ cloves in the tea instead. It worked for me in Amsterdam.

Good idea, i can then make my own recipee

Nick-H · Jul 18th, 2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by singsub

chuck it. chai isnt worth that much. drink the usual milk-less black tea instead. chai is a central asian drink, indianised over time.

Who cares where it came from: I live on it!

triliana · Jul 18th, 2008, 18:30

it's all about proportions. X amount of milk/tea/masala/ginger/sugar combines with Y, Z and A amounts of the rest. Changing my measuring utensils messes up my chai until I can figure it out with the new ones.

Ginger tea is easiest to make.
Boil 1/2 mug water.
Add tea (about 3 tbsp?) and turn heat down to medium.
After a minute, add grated ginger (less is more)
Add milk
Let the steam rise (maybe about 5 mins)
Strain, cool, add sugar if you want, drink.

Masala tea is same but instead of ginger, add tea masala. Don't know how much. Play with it some. Be prepared to dump your first few cups down the drain.

karuna · Jul 18th, 2008, 18:31

What do you mean the "usual" milk-less black tea?
You've been to the UK, right?

puchoo · Jul 18th, 2008, 18:57

The things that happen over a cuppa tea!!

singsub · Jul 18th, 2008, 21:23

haha^^ or even a glass of beer. and i am guilty for both !!!

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:19	#1
My friend Goo The guy from La Bamba Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 255	Speaking of chai How does one go about making a good cup of chai? I managed to get some chai from the supermarket, but no matter what i try, it never taste like India Post your recipes

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:33	#3
shashank.aggarwal The Fortunate One Join Date: May 2007 Location: Road Posts: 6,820	get water to boil, add tea leaves, masala and let it simmer. After that add milk, sugar and again get it to boil. __________________ Spineless Travelogue - Around India

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:38	#5
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 5,411	We can do what we want and nothing will ever come close to the taste of a Dhaba Chai....!! __________________ Cheers! Indiamike Mod team............ puchoo.wordpress.com

Jul 18th, 2008, 18:31	#13
karuna Just a big girl with a small dream Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: A little town you've probably never heard of Posts: 2,976	What do you mean the "usual" milk-less black tea? You've been to the UK, right? __________________ Mosquitos suck.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:31	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	When you say 'chai form the supermarket...'? Chai is the name of the resulting drink, although it is possible to buy tea or tea bags that already have the masala added. Try an Indian supermarket/general store, and ask for Chai Masala --- that will get you the basic mix of spices, ready ground, in a proportion that should be at least palatable. Add a large pinch to your usual amount of tea and sugar, mix water with 30%to50% milk in a cup, add to your other ingredients, and bring to the boil. Simmer for a minute or so. Alternatively, place it all in a large jug and microwave for 3 or 4 minutes for cup or mug --- which is what I do several times every day

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:35	#4
My friend Goo The guy from La Bamba Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 255	I was wandering if it was made purely on milk. I meant from the supermarket I don't think we have any Indian supermarkets here, i should just buy a whole bunch to take home with me

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:40	#6
singsub Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right next door to hell Posts: 1,163	chuck it. chai isnt worth that much. drink the usual milk-less black tea instead. chai is a central asian drink, indianised over time.

Jul 18th, 2008, 17:43	#8
mirjamd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 364	If you can't find the chai masala in your supermarket at home, you can also use cardamom pods/ cinnamon sticks/ cloves in the tea instead. It worked for me in Amsterdam. And singsub, I don't care if chai isn't originally indian, I need my daily fix

Jul 18th, 2008, 18:30	#12
triliana Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 67	it's all about proportions. X amount of milk/tea/masala/ginger/sugar combines with Y, Z and A amounts of the rest. Changing my measuring utensils messes up my chai until I can figure it out with the new ones. Ginger tea is easiest to make. Boil 1/2 mug water. Add tea (about 3 tbsp?) and turn heat down to medium. After a minute, add grated ginger (less is more) Add milk Let the steam rise (maybe about 5 mins) Strain, cool, add sugar if you want, drink. Masala tea is same but instead of ginger, add tea masala. Don't know how much. Play with it some. Be prepared to dump your first few cups down the drain.

Jul 18th, 2008, 18:57	#14
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 5,411	The things that happen over a cuppa tea!!

Jul 18th, 2008, 21:23	#15
singsub Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: right next door to hell Posts: 1,163	haha^^ or even a glass of beer. and i am guilty for both !!!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking for an english speaking physician in Adyar	gypsie king	Chennai (Madras)	4	May 28th, 2008 21:27
English Speaking Sadhus, Babas, etc.	TheTourist	Yoga, Spirituality, and Religion in India	3	Nov 4th, 2007 15:48
English speaking Car Drivers	Thanushia	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	5	Sep 6th, 2007 04:42
Hypothetically Speaking	Shaktipalooza	Goa	8	Jul 29th, 2007 02:42