Indian Tea is an all-time favourite refreshing hot beverage enjoyed by many especially in the morning and evening every day. It is famously known as “Chai”.In this easy Chai recipe, the tea powder is added to the water and allowed to boil till the rich hue and aroma of tea are released into the water. Then the milk is added. The most popular Indian tea are from Darjeeling, Assam and Ooty.

The usual ratio of water and milk for making milk tea is 1: 1/4 respectively. Some prefer to have more milk in tea and some prefer to have less milk. You can increase or decrease the milk as you prefer. If more milk is added then the tea becomes creamy and thick and if less milk is added the tea is watery. Some prefer tea without milk. For a strong tea increase the quantity of tea powder and vice versa for a light tea.

To get a strong cup of Indian Chai you can also heat the tea for a longer time. (for 2 more minutes) Never heat the tea for more than the required time as the water will evaporate leaving behind a very small amount of tea. For the preparation of tea always use medium flame.

In the case, of masala tea or ginger tea, you need to add masala and ginger to the water and boil first and then finally add milk at the end. If you add milk at the beginning itself then the tea will get spoilt. You can get the best flavour of the masala or ginger only when it is crushed before adding it to the water.

In case you need to add tea bag, add tea bag to the boiling water and milk mixture along with sugar.

Milk tea is best enjoyed with hot and spicy snacks or even biscuits, bun and bread.

Now let us see how to make milk tea?

Ingredients 

1 cup water

1/4 cup milk

1 and a 1/2  teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon tea powder

Method

In a kettle or saucepan take the required quantity of water and boil it for around 3 minutes on a medium flame.

Then add sugar and tea and let it boil for some time (around 4 minutes).

Keep heating it in medium flame until the tea boils and the flavour of the tea powder is released into the water. At this stage, the tea slightly changes colour and flavour of tea can be felt. Keep it boiling for a few minutes say around 3 minutes.

Now add milk and let it boil. On adding milk the tea tends to rise after a few minutes. Keep shaking the saucepan or kettle so that the tea does not tend to fall down. Repeat this for another 2 minutes.

Switch off the gas and allow it to settle for a minute.

Now carefully strain the tea using a strainer into a cup.

Serve hot. Enjoy hot milk tea with biscuits or hot spicy snacks.

Note:

• Never overheat the tea. It will lose its flavour.
• Always use medium flame as in high flame the water will evaporate and you will end up with a small quantity of tea.
• While adding ginger or any masala always crush them before adding.
• Always add ginger/masala to the tea decoction and boil that is before adding milk.