There are different ways to make chai (or tea) ranging from plain (milk, water, sugar and tea leaves) to masala (the plain with a kick!) and anywhere in between. You can buy tea masala in packets from any Indian store.

Here are the basics for a masala tea:

1. To equal parts milk and water ( for 1 cup of tea, use 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup water) add sugar and masala (according to taste, but usually just about 1/4 tsp per cup).
2. When the mixture comes to a boil, add tea leaves (1 tsp per cup) and switch off the stove.
3. Cover and let the tea steep for 3-4 minutes.
4. Filter with a small sieve and serve.

Note: You can use teas bags, but we feel that they don’t have the same quality as loose tea leaves.

For Ginger/Cardamom Tea:

Follow the same steps as above, except replace Masala with 1/4 tsp finely minced ginger (or 1/8 tsp ginger powder) and 1/8 tsp of Cardamom powder per cup.