Chai Video

I have got many of my friends addicted to chai. Once they experience what real chai tastes like, they tell me a store-bought chai just doesn’t do it anymore.  I’ve sent many a new chai addict home with their own bundle of Indian tea and an index card with instructions, to help them enjoy chai anytime they’d like.  Now, with the help of this video recipe, they can make it whenever they want.  Maybe I’ll start coming to their  place for chai.  

I’ve written two other chai posts, one for plain chai and one for ginger chai, but I have not done a recipe for cardamom chai until now.  Mummy-ji is very picky about her chai and she prefers cardamom chai. In fact, Mummy-ji is so picky about her chai, she only drinks chai she has made herself.  She told me she doesn’t even drink her own daughter’s chai. To have her favorite chai ready at all times, she blends a handful or two of green cardamom pods and mixes it into a full bag of tea.  If you want to make just one cup of cardamom tea, add the cardamom to the boiling water along with the tea and sugar. Break open the green cardamom pods, scrape the seeds into the water and add the green shells as well, they are full of flavor and will be strained out along with everything else. You can also adapt this video recipe for plain chai, just don’t use the cardamom.

Authentic chai is a wonderful drink to discover.  Perhaps you’ll learn you like the extra zing of ginger chai. You might enjoy the sweet aroma of cardamom chai, or maybe you prefer a back-to-basics plain chai.  Any of these choices are great, especially if they are accompanied by a plate of cookies.  If you really want to be authentic, you can have your tea at the “official” tea time of India, 4:00PM, preceded, of course, by a nap.

RECIPE FOR TWO

makes two 8 oz. cups of chai

(use the cup you will drink tea in to measure)

2 cups water

3 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons Indian tea

3 cardamom pods, break open & add seeds and pods  * optional *

2 cups whole milk or 2% milk (use the cup you will drink tea in to measure)

* don’t use non-fat milk, too watery

RECIPE FOR ONE

makes one 8 oz. cup of chai

(use the cup you will drink tea in to measure)

2/3 cup water

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon Indian tea

2 cardamom pods, break open & add seeds and pods  * optional *

2/3 cup whole milk or 2% milk (use the cup you will drink tea in to measure)

* don’t use non-fat milk, too watery

 
 
 

DIRECTIONS:

Add water to a pot and place over medium-high heat. Add sugar, Indian tea and if you are using it, broken cardamom seeds and pods.  Boil on medium-high for 5 minutes.  The tea will look like it will boil over, but don’t worry it stops at the top of the pot.
 
 
After 5 minutes your kitchen should smell of sweet black tea and cardamom.  Add the milk and bring it to a boil, which should take about two minutes on medium-high.  This is the time to pay attention.  I think most chai drinkers have turned their backs at the very the milk boils up.
 
Strain the tea.  Serve along side your favorite tea cookies.

Related posts:

  1. Indian Chai
  2. Ginger Chai
  3. Indian Rice Pudding (Kheer)
  4. Chocolate Mousse (Video)
  5. Aloo Parathas (with video)

6 Comments

  1. 10-17-2012
    Veena says:

    I love it

    Reply
    • 10-18-2012
      Colleen says:

      Thanks Veena :)

      Reply
  2. 10-18-2012
    Jess says:

    Wait, you mean you have other friends that are converted…not just me!? I have been “chai-ing” every day since I’ve been back from Europe. I was so deprived. I actually looked back at an old journal the other day, and it’s been over a year you converted me. Thanks for being the source of my addiction ;)

    Of course I love your ginger chai, but now I’m glad to see my sneaking cardamom pods in my chai is acceptable. I’m going to try mummy-ji’s version today.

    I agree with everything you say with an exception to the napping…if I don’t drink it before 2pm, I’m up until the early morning. I guess, no matter how much chai I drink, my body is a wuss when it comes to caffeine :) Hopefully someday I can hang with the Indians and nap after my 4pm chai.

    As always, thanks for the great post! I love the 1 vs. 2 serving info. Oh, and when you get back, you better come over for chai.

    Reply
    • 10-18-2012
      Colleen says:

      Hey Jess! When I hear of your new chai habit, I feel so proud I could pass along the addiction ;)
      Mummy-ji loves cardamom chai so great minds must think alike!

      As for the chai date, you can count on it!

      Reply
  3. 1-21-2013
    Nicole says:

    Colleen!

    I made the Chai Tea and it warmed me up on this snowy winter evening!
    Thanks for the video and keep up the wonderful work!
    NEW CHAI ADDICT AT YOUR SERVICE!

    Love,
    Nicole

    Reply
    • 1-22-2013
      Colleen says:

      Hi Nicole – How wonderful, welcome to CAA (Chai Addicts Anonymous). You are a valued member ;)
      I wish I was enjoying a snowy evening in Berlin!

      Reply

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