Ginger Cardamom Chai is a spice infused tea with a distinctive style of preparation and taste, and is made with milk. Chai has a warm spice note in combination with the heat and soothing properties from the warmed milk that make it very relaxing to consume.
This drink is incredibly simple to make and is the perfect drink for a cold winter day. Occasionally, I do crave for this age-old concoction, especially when I’ve caught a bad cold. It is also the best drink to enjoy on a rainy evening along with some hot spicy Indian snacks. Soothing for stomach cramps and also aiding digestion, this beverage is healing too.
Serve Ginger Cardamom Tea at a tea party, or enjoy it as an invigorating breakfast or tea-time beverage along with Onion Vegetable Bajji, Omapodi Mixture or Samosas.
Other recipes that you can try are:
Cooks in 15 M
Total in 20 M
To begin making the Ginger Cardamom Chai, place a saucepan on the heat. Add water, tea leaves, ginger and crushed cardamom with the peels intact, into the water and bring it to a boil.
Allow it to simmer, with the heat on medium, for a good 5-7 minutes, till the colour of the water changes to a mild yellowish hue.
At this stage, add sugar and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes till the water gets a deep hue of red and the sugar has dissolved.
Simmering makes the tea strong. If you prefer a light version, reduce the simmering time, and check the colour.
Finally add milk and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes more.
Turn off the heat and strain the tea through a sieve and pour into a cup.
Serve Ginger Cardamom Tea at a tea party, or enjoy it as an invigorating breakfast or tea-time beverage along with Onion Vegetable Bajji, Omapodi Mixture or Samosas.
*Note
You can also add the tea leaves to the water only when it has come to a rolling boil, this will yield a lighter but flavourful tea.
Some even prefer to turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid once the chai is ready, to allow the flavours deepen.
I prefer adding equal amounts of water and milk but you can add as much or as less milk as you prefer.
Either way, do not simmer the tea for too long as it will make the tea turn bitter. Typically, 1 level teaspoon per cup is recommended.