What is chai masala?
Blend of spices that are found in early every pantry. Chai Masala traditionally uses cloves, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and black peppercorn but there is no right or wrong way to make it. Allow your taste buds to guide you. Chai masala is also used within Ayurvedic practices.
How to make Chai Masala?
Once you have gathered all of the spices that you chose to add, grind them into a fine powder. You may also choose to roast the spices for a minute or so in a dry skillet. Allow spices to cool then grind. Roasting is an optional step that you may explore.
Ingredients
2 tsp Fennel seeds/ saunf
2tbsp Green Cardamom/ elaichi
1tbsp Cloves/ laung
2tsp Black Pepper/ kali mirch
1 stick cinnamon
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp Nutmeg powder/ Jaiphal
Instructions
Dry roast the fennel seeds, cardamom, cloves, black pepper and cinnamon stick for about a minute. Just as they become fragrant.
Cool the spices.
Grind then in your coffee grinder
Grate the nutmeg
Stir in the ginger and nutmeg.
Mix well and store in an air tight jar.
Use 1/2 tsp per cup of tea.
You can make this however you choose. If you want to make it strictly into a tea just boil a cup of water and 1/2 tsp masala chai. Add sweetener if you choose. You may also add in 1/2 cup milk(alternative) to make this into a latte.
I use hemp milk when making lattes. Using a whisk to blend it a bit while it is on the stove allows the milk to get thicker and frothy.
Like I had said in the beginning. You may make this recipe however you use, adding or omitting. Just have fun with it. For this particular recipe I added in a few pieces of dried reishi that I ground down into a powder.
Learning more about the spices
Cloves are known in Hindi as a wonderful pain reliever and antiviral.
Nutmeg helps to calm the nerves and improve digestion.
Green Cardamom is a digestive aid.
Cinnamon is full of antioxidants, potassium, and vitamins A, B and C. It also stimulates the blood circulation
Ginger holds anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-indigestion properties.
Black pepper has healing properties, opening up the sinuses and getting the blood pumping.
Fennel takes care of stomach ailments, from bloating to air reflux.
Reishi helps to boost the immune system while also helping to reduce pain, body aches, and mental irritability.
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