Masala chai
Indian spiced tea
Masala chai is spiced tea, originally from South Asia.
Black tea is brewed with milk and a blend of aromatic spices—typically cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.
In Hindi, chai simply means tea and masala means spice mixture, so "chai tea" is redundant, though common in Western cafés: I'll have a masala chai latte.
- cardamomAromatic seed pod spice
- tea cultureTraditions surrounding steeped beverages
- cinnamonAromatic bark spice
- regional variationsPlace-based differences
- gingerPungent culinary rhizome
digestion aid · cloves · black pepper · milk · milk tea · nutmeg · spice blend · boiling pot · sugar · morning ritual · star anise · hospitality · family gatherings · heart health · energy boost · stress relief · fusion cuisine · simmered
SOUTH ASIAN vs. WESTERN TEA CULTURE
Masala chaiEnglish breakfast tea
Strong British morning blend
Earl Grey · afternoon tea · builder's tea · Lipton · high tea