Is there anything better than wrapping your hands around a cup of chai in the chilled winter season? Yes, there is. Wrapping hands around a cup of piping hot cup of perfectly brewed Masala chai. Yes, not just any other chai, but the special Masala chai is what soothes me the most. One of India’s most popular drinks, yet not all of us can brew a perfect masala chai. Now you’ll ask me what is perfect masala chai? Well, let’s admit it I’m not a tea connoisseur, but as someone who loves to start her winter mornings with a cup of masala chai, I have a certain right to opinion. In simple terms, masala chai is nothing but brewing tea leaves with a handful of spices, sugar and milk. It can have certain variations, depending on what spices you prefer, and thus in different Indian households, it is prepared slightly differently. Some would like more of cinnamon, some would prefer more mint, and so on. But for me, no matter what spices you choose, the flavour should be in perfect harmony, there should be a sense of balance in all the spices. And it all comes down to the steps taken in making a cuppa.
You can go the instant way, but that might skip you from the overall experience of enjoying masala chai. A lot depends on the quality and quantity of ingredients you add to your masala chai. So if you are someone who would want a perfectly-brewed masala chia every time to enjoy in the winter season, we’ve got you covered with some of the best tips to keep in mind.
1. Tea Leaves
When using tea leaves steep them in the water for 2 to 4 minutes to get the desired flavor in the brew. You can simply boil the water together with spices, switch off the heat and then add the tea leaves. Stir to mix and cover with lid for about 5 minutes.
2. Tea Brand
The tea you are using makes a lot of difference. While Assam tea is stronger than Darjeeling tea and is thus preferred by many tea enthusiasts, some also prefer a mix of Assam and Darjeeling tea or just Darjeeling tea.
3. Milk
The amount of milk should be well-balanced. While it totally depends on your personal taste, too much milk can completely alter the taste and even cause acidity and too less milk can make it watery.
4. Spices
A little more of the quantity of your spices can work wonders in keeping your body warm this winter season. You can reduce the quantity in summer to maintain the body heat. Choosing the spices depend completely on your personal choice.
Here's a recipe of Masala Chai you can try at home.
