How to Brew Chai Tea With Milk (5 Steps)

In the strictest sense of the word, "chai" simply means "tea," but outside of India it is commonly used to refer to the spicy, aromatic brew that the Indian subcontinent is famous for. The actual name of this traditional beverage is masala chai, and it can be found being served to customers all over the world, from street vendors in Southeast Asia to upscale coffee houses in Manhattan. The most common way or preparing chai tea is to combine all the ingredients in a small pan and simmer, then strain and serve. The lengthy extraction makes for quite a strong brew, so milk and sugar are often added during the process. There are many variations of spicy chai; each blend reflects the brewer's personal preferences for various quantities of tea, milk, sweetener and spice. That being said, if you'd like to have a go at brewing up a pot of your own, the guide below will walk you through the process, but feel free to adjust any of the listed ingredients to reflect your taste.

Things You'll Need

2 tsp. grated ginger
½ tsp. grated star anise
2 tsp. grated orange peel
4 sticks of cinnamon or cinnamon bark
½ tsp. cardamom seeds
8 whole cloves
3 peppercorns

5 cups of water
1/4 cup of loose black tea
Fine wire mesh strainer/tea strainer
1½ tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup of honey
3 cups of milk

Instructions

Put the ginger, star anise, orange peel, cinnamon, cardamom seeds, whole cloves and peppercorns into a pot. Carefully pour the water over the spices and mix to blend the water.
Place the pot over high heat and bring this to a gentle boil. Once the water has begun to boil, reduce the heat and simmer.
Add the tea leaves to the pot. Stir gently and allow mixture to simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the strength of tea desired.
Remove the pan from the heat. Place a fine wire mesh strainer over an empty pitcher and pour the contents of the pot through to remove all solids from the brew. Repeat if necessary.
Stir in the vanilla, honey and milk and taste your tea. Adjust the accompaniments to suit your taste.

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