The Perfect Chai For Every Occassion
Because one perfect chai recipe is a lie
The 'perfect' chai recipe is a myth because the chai you need for a busy morning is completely different from the one you want on a slow weekend.
So today, I'll show you the three chais you actually need: the 5-minute morning rescue, the soulful weekend ritual, and the celebration-worthy showstopper. If you’re a visual learner, watch the cinematic rendition of these recipes here.
The 5-Minute Morning Rescue
Making a cup of proper chai is probably the last thing on your mind on a busy Tuesday morning. My commute was 90 minutes long when I had a 9-5 and I heavily relied on the coffee machine at work. And while that's completely fine, there is a 5 minute chai that is made exactly for these moments.
I first saw this technique in Old Delhi on one of our annual trips to India and it's simple but doesn't compromise on flavor.
There are no spices in this chai to keep things straightforward but make sure you use loose leaf tea for that intensely aromatic flavor. The goal here is to make a chai concentrate of sorts and we want to make it stronger than usual because we are not going to boil the tea leaves with the milk.
Add the sugar to the chai cup and pour in the hot chai concentrate. This melts the sugar and now we can add the milk in.
You can even make this concentrate and store it in the fridge for 2-3 days and drink it cold. A perfect, flavorful alternative to iced coffee.
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
2 cups water
3-4 tsp sugar
3 tbsp CTC tea leaves
Method:
Bring the water up to a boil.
Add the tea leaves and boil for 3 minutes.
Add the sugar and mix till dissolved.
Add frothed milk in a cup.
Pour in the tea concentrate.
Top with more milk foam, if desired.
The Soulful Weekend Ritual
While the 5 minute chai is perfect for a busy weekday, this version is the one I make to treat myself on the weekends. It allows me to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment appreciating the aroma of a masala chai and the significance of this drink. It's so much more than a drink, it's an emotion and a way of life.
I love how the floral scent of green cardamom balances the sharp sweetness of the fresh ginger. I use half milk, half water and infuse the mixture with the spices before adding in the tea. This allows the aromatic oils from the spices to infuse into the milk before the tea interrupts this process. Boil it together with the sugar for about 5 minutes for the perfect brew. I've made an entire video explaining the science behind each step and I'll link it for you, if you want to go deeper.
And this is the core idea. It's not about forcing yourself to make a complex recipe on a busy day. It's about knowing how to choose the right ritual for the right moment. Building a custom plan that fits your personal skill level and your unique schedule is the very first thing I do with my students, because authentic cooking should fit into your real life.
And once you've mastered this authentic homestyle method, you have the foundation to create something truly extraordinary.
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1 cup water
5 green cardamom pods, crushed
1 inch piece of ginger, crushed
3-4 tsp of sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
2 tbsp tea leaves (CTC tea)
Method:
Heat the milk and water in a small saucepan.
Add the cardamom and ginger.
Simmer for 3 minutes.
Add the tea leaves.
Simmer together for 5 minutes.
Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer and serve hot.
The Celebration Chai
One of the biggest joys in life is in feeding others and this saffron chai is made for that. It packs in all the flavor of the masala chai with a luxurious touch that makes the chai the occasion. Not that you need an occasion to gather with loved ones, but if you do, this is the perfect one.
I follow the same steps as the masala chai but I omit the ginger and only add the green cardamom. I don't want to overpower the delicate fragrance of the saffron and the floral aroma of green cardamom complements it perfectly.
We also don't want to boil the saffron because it will lose most of it's aroma. Froth this tea by pouring it from vessel to vessel or you could also use one of these frothers if you want to avoid the mess, like I do.
Now comes the final flourish, 2-3 threads of saffron just before serving. The aroma here is pure luxury—it's floral from the cardamom, with that unique, almost honeyed scent of saffron. It's the kind of scent that instantly makes a moment feel special.
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
1 cup water
5 green cardamom pods, crushed
A few threads of good quality saffron
3-4 tsp of sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
2 tbsp tea leaves (CTC tea)
Method:
Heat the milk and water in a small saucepan.
Add the cardamom.
Simmer for 3 minutes.
Add the tea leaves.
Simmer together for 5 minutes.
Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer, top with saffron threads and serve hot.
So, from a simple 5-minute cup, to a soulful homestyle ritual, and finally to a celebration in a glass, you now have a blueprint for the perfect cup of chai for every moment of your life.
Which one’s your favorite?