Masala chai

{{short description|Flavoured Indian tea}} {{more citations needed|date=April 2024}} {{redirect-multi|2|Chai tea|spiced tea|other types|tea (disambiguation)|and|chai (disambiguation)}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox food | name = Masala chai | image = Chai In Sakora.jpg | caption = Freshly steeped masala chai being poured in a ''kulhar'' | alternate_name = Spiced tea | place_of_origin = India | associated_cuisine = Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi | creator = | course = Drink | type = Flavoured tea | served = Hot | main_ingredient = Black tea, milk, spices, sugar | calories = | other = }} '''Masala chai''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|s|ɑː|l|ə|_|tʃ|aɪ}}; {{lit|mixed-spice tea}}) is a popular beverage originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is made by adding aromatic herbs and spices to chai, which is made from brewing black tea (usually crush, tear, curl) in milk and water, and sweetening with sugar. Often using aeration techniques only performed by masters or "tevanas". <ref>{{cite web |last1=Banerjee |first1=Snigdha |title=The British ad propaganda & the journey from tea to chai |url=https://www.cityspidey.com/news/13763/the-british-ad-propaganda-the-journey-from-tea-to-chai |website=www.cityspidey.com |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Dalal |first1=Tarla |title=Indian tea recipe homemade chai |url=https://www.tarladalal.com/how-to-make-indian-tea-recipe--perfect-homemade-chai-recipe-42492r |website=www.tarladalal.com |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref>

== Etymology == The term ''chai'' originated from the Chinese word for tea, {{transliteration|zh|cha}} {{Crossreference|text=(see Etymology of tea)}} via the Hindi ''chai'' ({{lang|hi|चाय}}). In English, this spiced tea is commonly referred to as ''chai tea'',<ref name=About>{{cite web|url=http://coffeetea.about.com/od/historyculture/a/MasalaChaiHistory.htm|title=The History of Masala Chai (a.k.a. "Chai Tea")|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-date=27 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627075508/http://coffeetea.about.com/od/historyculture/a/MasalaChaiHistory.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> or simply ''chai.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chai|title=Definition of CHAI|access-date=5 September 2016}}</ref> Originating in India,<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Sushmita |title=History of Masala Chai: A Quick Dive Into The Origins of India's Favourite Drink |url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/history-of-masala-chai-a-quick-dive-into-the-origins-of-indias-favourite-drink-1683279 |website=NDTV |access-date=28 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=SeattleWeekly>{{cite web|url=http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/949624-129/chai-tea-spice-spicy-coffee-india|title=A Brief History of Chai and 5 to Try (or Retry) This Fall|access-date=5 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515143003/http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/949624-129/chai-tea-spice-spicy-coffee-india|archive-date=15 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> the beverage has gained worldwide popularity, becoming a feature in many coffee and teahouses, with many using the term '''chai latte''' or '''chai tea latte''' for their version to indicate that it is made with steamed milk, much like that used to make a latte but mixed with a spiced tea concentrate instead of espresso.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2022 |title=Authentic Chai Latte for One - EatsByRamya |url=https://eatsbyramya.com/recipes/chai-latte/ |access-date=19 May 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History== {{Main|Etymology of tea}}

The word for tea in most Indian languages is "chai" derived from the Chinese word ''cha''. Tea however became a popular beverage introduced to India by the British. Tea plants have grown wild in the Assam region since antiquity, but historically, Indians viewed tea as an herbal medicine rather than as a recreational beverage.<ref>Rosen, Diana. ''Chai: the Spice Tea of India''. Pownal, Vermont: Storey, 1999.</ref>

In the 1830s, the British East India Company became concerned about the Chinese monopoly on tea, which constituted most of its trade and supported the enormous consumption of tea in Great Britain of around {{convert|1|lb|kg}} per person per year. British colonists had recently noticed the existence of the Assamese tea plants and began to cultivate tea plantations locally. In 1870, over 90% of the tea consumed in Great Britain was still of Chinese origin, but by 1900, this had dropped to 10%, largely replaced by tea grown in India (50%) and Ceylon (33%).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Caffeine, the most popular stimulant|page=[https://archive.org/details/caffeinemostpopu00gilbrich/page/24 24]|last=M.|first=Gilbert, Richard|date=1986|publisher=Chelsea House Publishers|isbn=9780877547563|location=New York|oclc=12970317|url=https://archive.org/details/caffeinemostpopu00gilbrich/page/24}}</ref>

However, consumption of black tea within India remained low until the promotional campaign by the Indian Tea Association in the early 20th century, which encouraged factories, mines and textile mills to provide tea breaks for their workers. It also supported many independent ''chaiwalas'' throughout the growing railway system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chatterjee |first1=Arup K. |title=How chai arrived in India 170 years ago |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/how-chai-arrived-in-india-170-years-ago/article24724665.ece |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

Tea was promoted as served Indian style, with small added amounts of milk and sugar. The Indian Tea Association initially disapproved of independent vendors' tendency to add spices and greatly increase the proportions of milk and sugar, thus reducing their usage (and thus purchase) of tea leaves per liquid volume. However, chai later firmly established itself as a popular beverage.<ref>Collingham, Lizzie. (2006). "Chai: The Great Tea Campaign". In ''Curry: A Tale of Cooks & Conquerors'', pp 187-214. New York: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-517241-8}}.</ref>

==Preparation and ingredients== thumb|Typical spices used for masala chai

===Preparation=== [[File:teamaking.JPG|thumb|A boy in Mysore preparing masala chai: As it is prepared by decoction, preparation usually includes straining tea from the solids.]] Masala chai is composed of three major components: masala, chai (or tea), and milk. Recipes and methods of preparation for chai can vary by geography and family.

One way to prepare masala chai is to simmer spices in a pot of water. Tea is then added to the pot and brewed to preference. After brewing, the tea and spice mixture is strained, and milk or cream is added.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2022 |title=The Spicy History of Chai and How to Make It |url=https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/chai.htm |access-date=22 April 2024 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en-us}}</ref>

A common Maharashtrian method for preparing one cup of chai is to first combine one-half cup of water with one-half cup of milk in a pot over heat. Sugar may be added at this point or after. Ginger is then grated into the mixture, followed by the addition of tea masala, typically consisting of crushed ginger, crushed cardamom, lemongrass, cloves, and cinnamon. The mixture is brought to a boil, and one teaspoon of loose black tea is added.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recipe for 5 Spice Tea |url=https://www.tealiciousbeverages.com/5spicetea |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518125808/https://www.tealiciousbeverages.com/5spicetea |archive-date=18 May 2019 |access-date=18 May 2019 |website=Tealicious |language=en}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |fix-attempted=yes |url=}}</ref> ===Tea=== Black tea is typically used as a base in most chai recipes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Gaurav |date=29 July 2024 |title=Create Your Own Chai: Quick and Easy Masala Chai Recipe |url=https://www.thepahadistory.com/blogs/health/create-your-own-chai-quick-and-easy-masala-chai-recipe |access-date=16 January 2025 |website=The Pahadi Story}}</ref> The most common type of black tea is from Assam; however, a blend of different tea variations may be used.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Chai and How to Make It |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/tea/chai-tea/what-is-chai-how-to-make-chai |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=Food & Wine}}</ref> Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri are the three most common types of tea used in chai in India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Masala Chai Tea - History & How to Make It |url=https://www.tealeaves.com/pages/indian-masala-chai-tea-traditions |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=TEALEAVES}}</ref>

===Spices=== thumb|left|Spices and cut tea leaves

The spices used in masala chai most often include cardamom, grated ginger, and cinnamon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Masala Tea |url=http://www.teaboard.gov.in/TEABOARDCSM/MTE= |access-date=18 May 2019 |website=www.teaboard.gov.in}}</ref> Also used are cloves, star anise, black peppercorns, mint, lemongrass, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2022 |title=The Spicy History of Chai and How to Make It |url=https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/chai.htm |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=HowStuffWorks |language=en-us}}</ref>

Masala chai in western India often excludes cloves and black peppercorns. A small amount of salt is often added to chai in the region of Bhopal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Masala Chai: A Quick Dive Into The Origins of India's Favourite Drink |url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/history-of-masala-chai-a-quick-dive-into-the-origins-of-indias-favourite-drink-1683279 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=NDTV Food |language=en}}</ref> The Kashmiri version of chai is brewed with green tea instead of black tea and has a more subtle blend of spices with a pinch of salt. This version is a bit savoury and is pink in colour, due to the addition of baking soda.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Sribala |date=29 January 2020 |title=The Art and Science of Kashmir's Pink Tea |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/kashmir-pink-tea |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref>

===Milk=== Traditionally in India, milk from water buffaloes is used to make chai.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-l9GbAemUAEC&pg=PA40 |title=The New Tea Book: A Guide to Black, Green, Herbal and Chai Teas |author=Sara Perry |publisher=Chronicle Books |date= 1 August 2001 |page=40|isbn=9780811830539 }}</ref><ref>Outside of India, such as in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or other European, countries whole-fat cow's milk is usually used. Powdered milk will somewhat more resemble water buffalo milk. Generally, the main part of masala chai is the masalas like Tulsi, Mulethi, Aswagandha, Tezpatta and other useful ingredients.[https://myoneindiagreatindia.blogspot.com/2020/06/masala-chai.html]</ref> Although whole milk is usually used in masala chai, some people prefer alternatives such as soy milk or skimmed milk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Did You Know Chai Tea Is Thousands of Years Old? |url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/the-history-of-masala-chai-tea-765836 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=The Spruce Eats |language=en}}</ref>

===Sweetener=== White sugar, brown sugar, demerara sugar, honey, and jaggery are all used as sweeteners in chai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Chai Tea? |url=https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-chai.htm#:~:text=Sweetener:%20White%20sugar,%20brown%20sugar,often%20made%20with%20buffalo%20milk. |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=www.teatulia.com}}</ref>

==Consumption== ===Consumption in the Indian subcontinent=== Small vendors (called ''chaiwalla'' in Hindi; ''cha-ola'' in Bengali) are found by the side of every highway, road and alley – often the only establishments that will be open through the night. They generally also sell tobacco and snacks. Many will deliver tea to people's places of business in a ''{{transliteration|hi|chaidaan}}'', a wooden or metal frame carrier for cups.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nandan |first=Jahnvi Lakhota |date=20 July 2018 |title=10 objects that define Indian design |url=https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/india-design-objects/index.html |website=CNN Style}}</ref> Chai is sometimes served in a ''kulhar''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Is Chai served in kulhad healthier? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/is-chai-served-in-kulhad-healthier/photostory/92651457.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 December 2023 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

In Mumbai, roadside tea stalls serve small, inexpensive cups of tea called 'cutting chai'. They're so called for being a full-size, full-price cup of tea "cut" in half.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cutting Chai: Why Mumbai Loves a 'Half Cup' of Tea |url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/cutting-chai-why-mumbai-loves-a-half-cup-of-tea-1745884 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=NDTV Food |language=en}}</ref>

In Pakistan, ''masala chai'' is usually brewed with milk and sweetened with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon and/or cloves.<ref>{{cite book|title=Pakistan: The People|author=Carolyn Black|year=2003|page=28}}</ref> <gallery> File:A Kolkata voter - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg|A man in Kolkata, with a ''chaidaani'' for carrying nine glasses of chai – plain tea without masala File:Gulab Ji Chaiwala (Jaipur) - img 03.jpg|A roadside ''chaiwale'' (chai store) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India </gallery>

===Consumption beyond the Indian subcontinent=== [[File:Soy Vanilla Chai Latte at G.S.T. Bean.jpg|thumb|A soy vanilla chai latte served in Berlin, Germany|200x200px]]  Masala chai is popular in East Africa and the Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Africa's oesophageal cancer corridor: Do hot beverages contribute?|journal = Cancer Causes & Control|date = 6 August 2015|issn = 0957-5243|pages = 1477–1486|volume = 26|issue = 10|doi = 10.1007/s10552-015-0646-9|pmid = 26245249|first1 = Michael Oresto|last1 = Munishi|first2 = Rachel|last2 = Hanisch|first3 = Oscar|last3 = Mapunda|first4 = Theonest|last4 = Ndyetabura|first5 = Arnold|last5 = Ndaro|first6 = Joachim|last6 = Schüz|first7 = Gibson|last7 = Kibiki|first8 = Valerie|last8 = McCormack|pmc = 4838015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title = Lonely Planet East Africa|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dspRFoxXcDEC|publisher = Lonely Planet|date = 1 June 2012|isbn = 9781743213124|first1 = Lonely|last1 = Planet|first2 = Mary|last2 = Fitzpatrick|first3 = Anthony|last3 = Ham|first4 = Trent|last4 = Holden|first5 = Dean|last5 = Starnes}}</ref> It is also popular in the Gulf Arab region, where it is known as ''Chai Karak'' ({{Langx|ar|شاي كرك}}, {{Langx|ur|کڑک چائے}}).<ref>{{Cite journal|date=28 September 2011|title=Chai Karak: The Popular Drink That's Rapidly Spreading in the Gulf|url=https://khaleejesque.me/2011/09/diwan/chai-karak-the-popular-drink-thats-rapidly-spreading-in-the-gulf/|journal=Khaleejisque}}</ref> The drink was popularized by South Asian expatriate communities in the region.<ref name="alsaigh2024">{{cite book |last1=Al-Saigh |first1=Amina |title=Souk to Table: Vibrant Middle Eastern Dishes for Everyday Meals |date=8 October 2024 |publisher=Rock Point |isbn=978-1-63106-976-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DGf5EAAAQBAJ&dq=mutabbaq&pg=PA250 |access-date=8 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

====In the West==== Since Starbucks introduced its chai tea latte in 1998, chai beverages have become popular at coffee shops across the United States, often made from a syrup or concentrate.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-apr-05-ls-36110-story.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Selvam |first=Ashok |date=2023-11-10 |title=More Masala, Less Latte |url=https://chicago.eater.com/2023/11/10/23945800/masala-chai-america-diwali-south-asia-tea-evolution-vendor-cardoz-spiderverse-taylor-swift-starbucks |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Eater Chicago |language=en}}</ref> Chai with added espresso is commonly called a {{vanchor|dirty chai}}.<ref> {{Cite news |title=What Is Dirty Chai? |url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/dirty-chai-definition-765697 |access-date=2 June 2025 |work=The Spruce}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Travis. |first=Arndorfer |title=The complete idiot's guide to coffee and tea |date=2006 |publisher=Alpha Books |others=Hansen, Kristine. |isbn=9781440626012 |location=New York |page=120 |oclc=489450263}}</ref>

==See also== {{portal|India|Drink}} * Indian cuisine * History of tea in India * Indian tea culture * Pakistani tea culture * Chaiwala * Kulhar * Darjeeling tea * Ginger tea * Noon chai * Bandrek * List of Indian drinks

{{Clear}} ==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category multi|Chai|Masala chai}} * [http://www.worldteanews.com/news/global-evolution-chai The Global Evolution of Chai] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604200541/http://worldteanews.com/news/global-evolution-chai |date=4 June 2018 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Masala Chai}} Category:Indian tea Category:Indian cuisine Category:Hindu cuisine Category:South Asian cuisine Category:Vegetarian cuisine Category:Vegetarian dishes of India Category:Arabic drinks Category:Bengali cuisine Category:Blended tea Category:Nepalese tea Category:Sri Lankan drinks Category:Tea culture Category:Milk tea Category:Indo-Caribbean cuisine