Masala tea / Masala chai / Spicing up - 16 varieties of Chai

Tea is a universal beverage. It is the second most consumed drink in the world, after water. I drink tea twice a day and vary the flavors to spice up my daily life.

While some varieties are popular (ginger tea, masala tea), most that I have posted here are refreshingly new. I have tried more than 15 types of tea. We love sipping morning chai together as a family. 

I prepare cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, clove powders and store them in small bottles (Photo). The benefits of these spices can be reaped easily through flavored teas.

Sharing the flavors we have tried at home. We would be happy to try out other flavors you have tried too.

Milk - 1/2 cup

Water - 1/2 cup

Tea powder - 1 spoon

Sugar - 1/2 spoon (can be increased based on your taste)

Boil milk and water. Now add tea powder and sugar and boil again. 

For flavoring - Add any of these while filtering the chai.

• 1 pinch of cardamon powder - May help lower blood pressure, improve digestion, antibacterial 
• 1 pinch of pepper powder - May help lower cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, improve blood sugar control 
• 1 pinch of clove powder - May help protect against cancer, antibacterial, improve liver health, help regulate blood sugar
• 1 pinch of cinnamon powder - It has anti-inflammatory properties, helps lower blood sugar levels, may help fight bacterial and fungal infections 
• 1 pinch of turmeric powder - It has anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties, may help prevent cancer
• 1 pinch of nutmeg / jayikayi powder - It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties. May benefit heart health, may improve blood sugar control 
• 1 pinch of cocoa powder -  May help reduce high blood pressure, may improve mood
• 1/2 spoon of butter
• 3 saffron strings soaked in 2 spoons of milk for 10 mins - May improve mood, may have cancer fighting properties

For flavoring - Add any of these while boiling the tea.

• 1/4 spoon of grated ginger  - may help to treat nausea, chronic indigestion, lower cholesterol levels, can help fight infections
• 2 chopped small sized leaves of Indian borage / doddapatre - May help to get relief from fever, cough, improve lactation in breastfeeding mothers 
• 1/4 spoon of oregano powder - May help fight bacteria, reduce viral infection, decrease inflammation
• 2 raw clove leaves
• 3 mint / pudina leaves - May help relieve indigestion, improve brain function, improve irritable bowel syndrome 
• 1 lemon grass leaf - It has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties, it may reduce the cancer risk, may help promote healthy digestion, help regulate cholesterol 
• 2 to 3 leaves of Holy basil / Thulasi - It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory properties

Benefit source - Healthline. 

Cardamom tea, Elaichi tea, pepper tea, cocoa tea, saffron tea, turmeric tea, clove tea, nutmeg tea, butter tea, cinnamon tea, ginger tea, Indian borage tea, oregano tea, clove leaves tea, pudina tea, mint tea, lemon grass tea, holy basil tea, Thulsi tea, Tulsi tea.