Chai Tea originated in India and is usually a recipe which includes black tea and strong spices. Masala Chai is a variation which does not use black tea and can be caffeine-free. This style of tea is perfect for warming up on a cold day because it is spicy and rejuvenating without the caffeinated effects.
Love Me Chai Masala Tea
I love to drink chai tea when I feel like I need balance, grounding, or some extra love. This recipe is great for those gray days to use to warm up and get cozy both inside and out. I was inspired to make this blend by a Pink Chai recipe which was gifted to me by a friend. While the blend given to me is delicious, I decided to look into Chai a little more to see what I could blend up which would be even more flavorful.
The word Chai means tea in Hindi, and India is where the main spices found in Chai tea are abundant. Many authentic recipes include the sweetly citrus cardamom, and the warmth of robust clove. Several recipes add in star anise and ginger to build the spiced flavor even further. In looking at Chai teas I came across a version which is often steeped using flavorful Indian Masala spices in rich milk instead of water. The Chai Masala variation is normally blended using the same Chai ingredients such as cardamom, clove, and star anise, but it is made without black tea.
Chai tea often uses black tea as a base and the spices layered on top of the black tea creates a fragrant, warming, and health-benefitting blend that is great to drink in the morning. The cardamom found in Chai tea is an amazing anti-inflammatory while clove is fantastic to boost circulation in the body. The black tea offers a stable amount of caffeine which is great to wake you up without the coffee jitters.
Chai Masala tea offers many of the same benefits and flavors as Chai tea but without the caffeinated black tea. This makes it a great option for those looking to avoid caffeine whether they are pregnant, sensitive to caffeine, or whatever the case may be. Chai Masala is also great to drink at night to get those warming Chai effects without the risk of being kept awake by caffeine.
All around, the spices found in Chai and Chai Masala are really beneficial for the body. The recipe I have put together is focused on balancing the physical body and the chakras within the body. The green cardamom as mentioned above is a fantastic anti-inflammatory along with the pink and black peppercorns; the pink rose petals and hibiscus both relax and refresh the immune system; the cloves, ginger, and cinnamon are circulation boosters to promote warmth; while the fresh ground nutmeg and star anise support healthy digestion. This blend is not caffeinated and best enjoyed when relaxing to promote coziness!
I prefer to enjoy this blend with warm nutmilk, an almond milk and coconut milk blend makes for a rich milk tea which is delightfully comforting to drink. First, I bring the milk to steam in a saucepan on the stove while whisking it almost continuously, then I use a tea infuser cup to steep the tea. I do not use a tea infuser mesh ball for this because the spices are large and need area to bloom. You can easily steep the tea in the pot you heat your milk in then use a colander or strainer to pour the tea in your cup before enjoying.
Using nutmilk really brings out the full flavor, aroma, and beautiful color this tea has to offer. The color comes from the pink peppercorns, pink rosebuds, and beautiful red hibiscus. Hibiscus is not normally found in chai masala recipes, but I like the tart taste along with the red hue the hibiscus gives to this tea.
This tea steeped in fresh water is delicious, too! It is slightly more tart and spicy when done in water. The nutmilk smooths out the flavor. If using this tea to refresh your mind, I would suggest brewing it with water and using a light splash of lemon juice at the end. This tea is tasty over ice as well!
If you want to blend and brew your own cup at home, find the recipe is below! I want to share these recipes with you because I believe blending tea is so easy when you know exactly what is going in your cup. Brewing myself a cup of tea every day helps to keep me centered so that I can give myself the love I need to share with the people I heal as a mentor and doula.
Do you want me to make this blend for you? Get in touch with me today! I am happy to make you a batch of my Love Me Chai Masala Tea.
Love Me Chai Masala Tea
Recipe
Makes 12 oz. (2 servings or one double serving)
8-10 Green Cardamom Pods
7-8 Cloves
2-3 Star Anise Pods - cracked open with mortar and pestle
1/2 tsp. Pink Rose Petals
1/2 tsp. Hibiscus
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon Chips
1/4 tsp. Fresh Ground Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. Black Peppercorn - cracked open with mortar and pestle
1/4 tsp. Pink Peppercorn - cracked open with mortar and pestle
1/8 tsp. Ginger
Raw Honey to taste (I use about 2-3 tbs. because I like this tea sweet)
12 oz. Nutmilk (such as Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Macadamia Nut Milk or a mixture) OR water
Steps:
1. Measure out either your water or nutmilk and place in a saucepan on the stove. Using a whisk to stir continuously, heat the liquid on medium until steaming and frothing.
2. Measure your desired amount of honey and combine with the warmed liquid in the saucepan on the stove, lower heat to medium-low, whisk the honey-liquid mixture until honey is dissolved. If the liquid begins to boil, lower or remove from heat and continue whisking slowly to prevent over-boiling.
3. Place the measured spices into a tea infuser which has room to stir the steeping tea to allow it to bloom. Slowly and carefully pour your hot honey-liquid mixture over the spices in the infuser.
(Or, remove the liquid from the heat and pour your measured tea-spice blend into the liquid to steep,
once finished steeping use a colander or strainer to pour the steeped tea into a cup for enjoyment.)
4. Steep the tea for 7-9 minutes. Once steeped, remove the spices and enjoy your cozy chai masala tea.
*If you are pregnant: Please do not consume more than 6oz. per day of this blend.
I hope you enjoy this blend! Be sure to get in touch with me if you'd like me to make a batch of this tea for you. I am happy to make you this tea or another customized blend just for you! Get in touch with me today through my website. Subscribe to my site and make sure your email notifications for new blog posts is turned on! Use this link HERE.
Much love & light,
Cierra