Angie and Thomas's Chai Instructions

Make your own chai mix

Due to popular demand, we're sharing the chai mix recipe. These are the quantities needed to make 10 servings (approximately 25 tablespoons).

• 0.25 cups masala spices (we use this one)

• 1.25 cups black tea (we use this one)

• 2 tablespoons powdered ginger (we use this one)

• 2.5 teaspoons ground cloves

• 2.5 teaspoons ground cardamom

• 0.5 teaspoons turmeric

• 0.1 teaspoons cayenne powder (think ~half of a quarter teaspoon. If you're nervous, you can add to-taste after brewing)

Additional Chai Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk (whole milk strongly recommended)

• Brown sugar

Chai Making (also check the photos below):

1. Add 2.5 tablespoons of the chai mix to a medium saucepan.

2. Add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk.

   1. Whole milk is by far the best; other milk will work, but you’ll be sad. And it will taste sad. Isn’t there already enough sadness in the world??

3. Turn burner to High.

4. Add brown sugar to taste.

   1. We recommend 1 tablespoon, but you do you.

5. Stir or whisk the water and milk mixture briefly to combine everything.

6. Bring to a boil.

   1. Watch it very closely as it’s coming to a boil. It will go from not boiling to covering your stove and floor in milk in a shockingly short period of time. Yes, we both learned this the hard way. You have been warned.

7. When it just starts to boil, move the pot to a different burner and set to Low heat.

   1. Of course you can leave the pot on the same burner and adjust the setting, but if the burner doesn’t cool down quickly enough, you risk boiling over (see: 6.1.). Moving to a different burner is the safe choice.

8. Allow it to steep for about 10 minutes.

   1. Often, but not always, a thin, darker film will form on the top of the steeping chai. This is normal - no need to worry.

9. Almost done. Time to strain your chai!

   1. Using a tea strainer, french press, fine sieve, or cheesecloth, slowly pour the chai into mugs (separating the tea and spices from the liquid).

   2. Give it a taste and add sugar if necessary.

10. Enjoy!

For the lazy: good, instant chai - is it really possible?!

In short, yes. A couple of Thomas's Indian coworkers introduced him to Girnar brand instant chai. It's actually pretty good. Definitely not as good as home brew, but this is what we take camping to avoid all the milk and cleanup. It's waaaay better than the likes of Oregon or Bhakti. Some of the Girnar packs come presweetened and others do not, so read carefully. This variety pack might be a good place to start testing flavors. Ginger is also a favorite choice.