Friday, January 1, 2010

Tea Spice Powder ( Chai Masala)

To call me a chai enthusiast would be somewhat of an understatement, a bit like saying that the sun can be a little bright :-) For me chai can in turn refresh, revive or soothe depending on my current frame of mind, and I am convinced that only the prospect of having morning chai gets me out of my bed. When I say chai I mean tea that is made with spices and has some milk added to it, what is known as chai latte in the coffee shops these days, not black tea. I am pretty specific about the strength of the tea, the quantity of the milk, ginger and spices to be added to the tea. In short, about tea, I am very very picky :-)

Since I am so specific about my chai I find that the masalas(tea spice powder) that I get in the stores just do not cut it with me. The solution.... I make my own chai masala and find that I vastly prefer it to the store bought ones. This chai masala is something that I keep in hand most times. I make it with the spices I like in my tea. I have not referred to any particular recipe but have used proportions that work for me. I use this chai masala in pretty much the same proportion in my chai as I had used this other masala I posted a while ago . If you like masala chai, try this masala you will be sure to stay away from the store bought versions after using this:-)


Chai Masala 2

Here is a picture of some of the spices used in this chai masala

Spices for Chai Masala 2

Click here for a printable view of this recipe

Ingredients and Method to make Chai Masala

25 whole green cardamoms (elaichi/ ellakkai)
2 (2 inch pieces) of cinnamon (Dalchini/ pattai)
1 tsp whole black pepper (Kala miri/ Milagu)
1 tsp dried mint (optional)
2 star anise (Anas phal)
5 whole cloves (laung)
1 tsp ginger powder

Break down cinnamon sticks with a mortar and pestle into smaller pieces.

Grind together all the ingredients mentioned above in a spice grinder until fine

Keep in an air tight container and use as required

I use this tea masala in the same proportion in my tea as this one I posted a while ago.

Yields about 7 heaped teaspoons of masala

Notes

You can easily double the quantity of spices to make more masala and store up for a little while.

19 comments :

Rachana said...

I loveee Chai and I am also very particular about the taste. This post is indeed very helpful for all the "chai" lovers out there:)

simplyfood said...

I am so hapy to see another person who has the same passion for chai masala.I too am an addict and make my own tea masala, and I am in total agreement with you that shop bought tea masala just doesnt taste the same as your own.

Dershana said...

hi usha, am a chai freak too. yes, i need that cuppa to fuel me at the start of each day. happy new year.

Preeti Kashyap said...

lovely usha! I do something similar to ur recipe! Happy new year!

Unknown said...

Chai masala at home....??1looks gud

indosungod said...

Usha, Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!

I am not a tea drinker but I can imagine the aroma from this one.

Indhu said...

My sister is tea-crazy.. Maybe I can make this and send it to her :)
lovely recipe Usha!
Happy New Year

Gita Jaishankar said...

I too love masala tea, never tried making the masalas at home, thanks for sharing my favorite Usha :) Wish You a Very Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

am sure this would enhance the flavour of our ordinary chai...

Priya Suresh said...

Fantastic chai powder...prefect to make out during this cold winter evening..

Cynthia said...

Happy New Year!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

I can already sense the taste of chai with these spices in it! happy new year!! congrats on your new domain.

Devasena Hariharan said...

I too cannot start my day without a cup of tea. Good one, thanx for sharing. Always wanted to try out masala chai

Anonymous said...

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.

hope chest said...

I love spices that come from Asia! They have this nice taste and it is so unique.

Deepa G Joshi said...

You know I am myself not much of a tea lover but my husband is..he loves tea with masala..will definitely try this, thanks for sharing.

Jagruti said...

I am not a tea freek but, i do need 2-3 cups a day ofcourse with tea masala....have to start my day with masala tea...I too make masala at home very similar way..

if you can please visit my blog

http://joyofcooking.blogspot.com

Thanks

enkay said...

Ginger powder means sukku (tamil) right?

Usha said...

@ Enkay, yes ginger powder means sukku in Tamil :)

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