Chai/tea is an aromatic, spiced tea that has been a favorite beverage in South Asia for centuries. It is a derivative of the Hindi word “chay,” which means “tea.”
You can make chai using a variety of spices and herbs, depending on what region or country you’re in. However, black tea leaves chai with the addition of milk is probably the most common version of this drink.
Chai is typically served with milk and sugar. Some people also add spices like ginger and cloves to give it more flavor and aroma.
There are many varieties of chai available today. Some popular ones include Masala Chai, Assam Chai, and Kashmiri Chai (also known as Darjeeling Chai).
Origins of Chai
Legend says that chai was created by an ancient Hindu king, who ordered a spiced beverage to be blended for use in Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal practice that uses herbs and spices for healing.
Ginger, pepper, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon have great positive effects on digestion; they can also help relieve pain. People also use star anise to freshen their breath.
The healing properties of the beverage spread across India, and people began adding a variety of spices to the drink, depending on where they lived or what season it was.
Contrary to popular belief, the original masala chai recipe did not include any actual tea leaves. Milk and sugar were later additions to the recipe. The addition of black tea leaves, milk, and sugar was popularized thousands of years later when British colonists discovered a new variety of the Camellia Sinensis and assamica tea plants in India, which they cultivated.
Chai/Tea Ingredients
Tea
You can find chai made from various tea bases, including Darjeeling and Assam black teas, South American yerba mate, South African rooibos, or even green tea.
You can also make chai using only herbal blends and no tea.
Milk
When it comes to chai, there are plenty of ways to make it. Some recipes call for cow’s milk. Others have you simmer strong spices in water and then add cow’s milk. You can steep a strong chai tea in water and then add milk or do it all milk.
Sweetener
Sugar, honey, and jaggery are common sweeteners in chai, but one can also use other sweeteners such as demerara, turbinado, or coconut.
Spices
Some spices used in chai include cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.
Taste Profile of Chai/Tea
Chai can take on many different flavors depending on the ingredients used.
If you like ginger and black pepper, you’ll love chai teas that are heavy on ginger and black pepper. Those containing more vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg will be sweeter.
People who use saffron or cacao may find that their chai is a bit bitter. And those who use fennel or cumin may find a more savory note.
