Indian Masala Tea

These teas can resemble virtually any flavor imaginable.


User avatar
Oct 13th, '12, 23:53
Posts: 22
Joined: Aug 30th, '12, 22:28
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Re: Indian Masala Tea

by Kathy Marie » Oct 13th, '12, 23:53

Hi, jayinhk--

I tried some of your suggestions and now I can't go back--I'm addicted to cardamom! :wink: The cloves are *awfully* strong, so I've scaled way back & only add a few. Too much spice just overwhelms the tea and I don't like the flavor, so I've cut back on the fennel now I'm adding the cloves and cardamom.

And I picked up some cinnamon sticks so that's next on the docket!

It's fun experimenting, thanks again for your help!

Kathy Marie

User avatar
Oct 16th, '12, 11:49
Vendor Member
Posts: 3124
Joined: Aug 28th, '12, 08:12
Location: Hong Kong
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact: jayinhk

Re: Indian Masala Tea

by jayinhk » Oct 16th, '12, 11:49

No problem KM! I'm Indian and Nepalese, but didn't grow up drinking masala tea since I was raised in Hong Kong. I think up until I was in my 20s, I drank it three or four times! Espresso was more my thing growing up!

I woudn't dream of making masala tea without cardamom. :)

Cloves are very strong--I'd go light on them or add them later in the boil, and would definitely add some fennel. Cinnamon definitely is a nice addition too! Stick with it and I think you'll discover the perfect recipe for yourself :)

User avatar
Oct 17th, '12, 22:06
Posts: 22
Joined: Aug 30th, '12, 22:28
Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Re: Indian Masala Tea

by Kathy Marie » Oct 17th, '12, 22:06

Jayinhk (may I call you Jay? ;)

I've been having good fun experimenting and was excited to introduce a friend of mine to Chai Tea tonight. Now I've only made chai for myself so I just did the math for the quantity I wanted--and when I sipped it I was so disappointed!

It tasted *flat.* It tasted like a pale shadow of what I've been enjoying and I followed the recipe _exactly_.

Do I need to cook it longer if I'm making larger amounts? Or do I need more spices or tea? Or both?

I'm really just flummoxed. I'd like to serve Tom some *good* chai next time, any suggestions for me?

TIA,

Kathy Marie

User avatar
Oct 18th, '12, 11:13
Vendor Member
Posts: 3124
Joined: Aug 28th, '12, 08:12
Location: Hong Kong
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact: jayinhk

Re: Indian Masala Tea

by jayinhk » Oct 18th, '12, 11:13

Sure you can call me Jay. :)

Yup, you want to up the amounts of water and spices and tea--you kind of develop a feel for what you need over time. I'd try giving it the taste test before taking it off the heat to make sure it's where I want it since it's a lot like cooking. :P When upping the amount you make for someone when you usually drink alone, mistakes can happen until you get everything dialed in. A year from now, I'll be asking you for chai advice :mrgreen:

User avatar
Feb 10th, '13, 10:05
Posts: 132
Joined: Feb 5th, '13, 07:52
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Indian Masala Tea

by Maneki Neko » Feb 10th, '13, 10:05

I drink A LOT of masala tea. Almost every day.

My masala is cardamom, cinnamon (the Sri Lankan version), cloves, fennel seeds and vanilla, all whole spices. Or I use an organic brand bags which also includes black pepper.

Plain sweet milk tea is also good. That's what the Pakistanis prefer. I drank loads of it when visiting my family-in-law in Pakistan, where they make it with buffalo milk :mrgreen: And their buffalo milk burfi is also sooooo delicious! Drool drool drool :P

+ Post Reply