Recipes & Routines
Masala Chai From Scratch
Whole spices, strong Assam and a simmer. A single stovetop recipe that beats every concentrate.
Key takeaways
- Crush whole spices just before brewing — ground spices go flat in weeks.
- Simmer the spices in water first, then add tea, then milk.
- Use a strong CTC Assam; delicate leaf disappears under the spice.
Ingredients for two cups
Everything here is adjustable, especially the ginger and the sugar.
- 1 cup (8 oz) water and 1 cup (8 oz) whole milk
- 2 tsp strong black tea, ideally CTC Assam
- 4 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves and 3 black peppercorns
- Sugar to taste, around 2 tsp
Recommended products
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, The Leaf & Steep may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. How this works.
Variable-temperature gooseneck kettle
Electric gooseneck kettle with presets from 160°F to boiling and a hold-temp setting.
Why we recommend it: Green and white tea scorch above 180°F — presets take the guesswork out of every steep.
Wide-basket stainless tea infuser
Fine-mesh basket infuser that fits most mugs and small teapots.
Why we recommend it: Room for leaves to unfurl is the single biggest flavor upgrade for loose-leaf.
Method
Bring the water, crushed spices and ginger to a boil and simmer four minutes — this is where the flavor is built. Add the tea and simmer two more minutes.
Pour in the milk and sugar, bring back to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it rise and settle twice. Strain into cups through a fine sieve.
Also worth having
Double-wall glass tea mug with lid
12 oz insulated borosilicate mug with an infuser basket and lid.
Why we recommend it: Keeps tea hot, stays cool to hold, and you can judge strength by color.
Adjusting it
More ginger for a sharper, warming cup; more cardamom for a floral one. If it tastes muddy, you are simmering the milk too long — add it later next time.
Recommended products to get started
Stainless electric kettle, 1.7 L
Fast-boiling cordless kettle with a concealed element and auto shut-off.
Why we recommend it: The cheapest reliable way to get hot water; rest it a few minutes for delicate leaf.
Borosilicate glass teapot, 34 oz
Heat-safe glass teapot with a removable stainless infuser.
Why we recommend it: Neutral, dishwasher-friendly, and you can watch the leaves open.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I make a batch in advance?
- Make the spiced tea concentrate without milk and refrigerate it for up to three days. Add hot milk per cup.
- What if I only have tea bags?
- Two strong breakfast bags work. Tear them open and use the leaf loose for better extraction.
Free Tea Brewing Cheat Sheet
Get the simple temperature, steep time, and tea-to-water ratio guide for better loose-leaf tea at home.
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6 min readMore in Recipes & Routines, browse all tea guides, or use the tea converter to scale this recipe to your teapot.