While ago, I wrote a post about benefits of drinking tea in 101 changes series. Check out the post 101 changes: Change 9: Benefits of Tea . There are many benefits of drinking green or black tea as seen in the post here. However, just with anything good, if you drink or eat too much it will do harm so drink tea in moderation.
Every Chai recipe varies from person to person, but a few thing is common in making Chai are Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamom. You too can make it at home as it is simple and easy enough to make it. Generally Chai is drank hot and with savory snacks like fried fritters like Pakora or Samosa.
Yes, you can buyChai-Tea mixes to make it home or drink it in Starbucks or Other Places, but nothing beats home made chai! Zenguy makes a awesome Chai, as I have written about it before. Tea is regular for morning and afternoon tea in India.
Zenguy’s Chai Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 Cups of Water
- 1 tbs fresh ginger paste
- 1 stick Cinnamon Or Cinnamon Powder
- 6 pods Cardamom
- 8 Fresh mint leaves
- Darjeeling or Black Tea Loose (not tea bags)
- 1 cup of Soymilk or milk
- Vegan Sugar as needed (You can use regular sugar as well)
How to make Chai Recipe
- In small saucepan, place water and bring to boil
- Turn gas on low heat to simmer. Put Loose tea (1 tsp for 1 cup), ginger paste, mint leaves in sauce pan.
- Crush and Grind Cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick and put in Sauce pan with other ingredients.
- Bring to slow boil again, about 3-4 minutes.
- Put milk and sugar as needed for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Strain tea in to a cup and drink it hot. You can have cracker, mint sandwiches or vegetable Pakoda with your chai.
- Enjoy sipping tea and snacks.
How to make a Chai Video
I wanted to share a how to video of how to make chai, there are quite a few out there, here is the one that I hope you like. You can also get chai tea mix to speed up the process. They are using little different method as chai making varies by person to person but you will get the idea behind it. Enjoy it.
How to make Pakoda Video
With your hot chai, hot and yummy Pakoda (Vegetable Fritters) goes well. Here is a video from “Show me the curry” girls, they are amazing. Hope you like your hot tea and hot pakoda in winter!
P.S. If you do not want to go through trouble of making pakoda yourself, you buy Pakora or Samosa or Go to your local Indian chaat shop to have them pack to go.
Your turn
A few of you had asked for chai recipe, so hope you all enjoy it. Do you drink Chai? Did you like it? Let me know.
Zengirl
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Looks yummy. Something I am not familiar with. Thanks for sharing (o:
Yes, we drink chai all the time but without sugar and with savoury snacks.
Thanks for the receipe.
Hmmmmm.
My favorite drink with Pakodas!
No one makes Chai like my wife! It is raining outside so Pakodas and Chai are the perfect combination.
On the recipe for the chai. I would put the mint leaves, Grounded Cinnamon and Cardamom along with the ginger paste first. Then after it comes to a boil. This way the flavors will be absorbed in the water before you add the tea.
Thanks for a wonderful post. It made my day. Now, I have to go and have Chai!
Zengirl, I’m so excited you posted this recipe. As you may remember, I love Chai! Can’t wait to try it out!
Hi Preeti,
I love tea!
I have never had chai tea, but will give your recipe a try. I’ll be sure to let you know how I like it. Sounds very warming to the body. I wish I had some right about now to help me handle the 28 degrees, I’m experiencing today. 😉
Take care,
Evellyn
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Cool recipe. I’m sure it’s really good. I might go light on the cardamom, but that’s just a personal preference.
I had never had chai tea until a few years ago. Upon discovering it, I realize what a treasure it is…or can be, I should say. I’m just now getting into tea, so my skills have been limited historically to using tea bags:) Now, I’m moving into loose tea leaves. Maybe I can try this recipe sometime. The chai purchased outside can be mediocre, or it can be really good. The thing is, I have no doubt that homemade chai can be much better….as is the case with many things.
Tea in moderation can be a great choice. I have made enough bad decisions drinking things like diet coke regularly, and realize that smart substitutions like tea can make such a big difference in how one feels overall.
Hi Preeti,
I love those Pakodas. It’s a bit overwhelming for me to try to make them, but interesting to see the process. I think I can handle Chai Tea though. Thanks for sharing.
Rob,
Yes, making Pakoda first time can be daunting task. Next best thing is to go to local Indian Restaurant and order some hot pakodas or come visit here, I will make some for you! If you make chai, let me know how you liked it.
Squirreles,
Yes, chai recipe can be tweaked the way you like it. I never drank chai much even though I grew up in Indian household with chai drinking parents. After meeting Zenguy, I am in to it more.
Everything bad and good works well, when in moderation. Like your blog! Neat.
Evelyn,
If you love tea, you will love Chai as well, you can get it from store or starbucks but best is made at home. Yes, it is perfect for cold winter weather, stay warm! Thank you for tweets!
Betsy,
Yes, I know you love tea, this recipe of home made chai is just perfect for you to try it. Let me know how you liked it. Zenguy really makes good chai.
Kamal,
Yes, when it is raining out, it is perfect time for hot chai and hot pakoda. Sounds like your wife makes a great tea, I feel that way about Zenguy’s tea too. I guess that is love when we like our spouse made recipe. Hope you had a great day with chai. Take care.
Zaynul,
Great. You are much healthier, if you drink chai with sugar and fried snacks! Good for you.
Ali,
Try chai and fried pakoda once, you will like it. I do not eat fried food often but once in awhile it is good. Take care.
Interesting; just gotta find the ginger paste and cardamom and I could try this out. 😉
Kevin,
You can get get it from any store, or buy fresh ginger and fresh mint and taste will be much better compared to dried spices. Enjoy it.
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