{"id":"recipe_980c775f41","slug":"masala-chai-indian-c6ffd7c2","title":"Ginger and Cardamom Masala Chai","description":"A classic, warming Indian spiced tea brewed with aromatic spices, milk, and black tea leaves.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"full-cream","notes":"","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 teaspoons black tea leaves","name":"Black Tea","quantity":4,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"CTC or loose leaf","notes":"preferably strong Indian black tea","group":"tea","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 inch fresh ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fresh","notes":"1 inch long","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"3 green cardamom pods","name":"Green Cardamom Pods","quantity":3,"unit":"pod","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"pod","form":"whole","notes":"green pods","group":"spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 teaspoons sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":8,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"sweetener","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Using a mortar and pestle, roughly crush the ginger piece and cardamom pods to release their juices and oils.","group":"Preparation","title":"Using a mortar and pestle, roughly crush the ginger piece and cardamom pods","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a small saucepan, add the water and the crushed ginger and cardamom. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.","group":"Brewing","title":"Add the water and the crushed ginger and cardamom","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Brewing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Once boiling, add the tea leaves and sugar. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 2 minutes until the water turns deep dark brown.","group":"Brewing","title":"Add the tea leaves and sugar","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Brewing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in the milk and turn the heat back up to medium. Watch closely as the tea begins to rise. Just as it reaches the rim, lower the heat or lift the pan.","group":"Finishing","title":"Pour in the milk","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Allow it to simmer for another 1-2 minutes until the chai achieves a rich, creamy brown color. Turn off the heat.","group":"Finishing","title":"Allow it to simmer","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Strain the chai through a fine-mesh tea strainer directly into cups. Serve hot.","group":"Serving","title":"Strain the chai through a fine-mesh tea strainer directly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a stronger flavor, crush the ginger and cardamom thoroughly. You can adjust the sugar to your preference.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["drink"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Saucepan","Mortar and pestle","Tea strainer"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"cup","note":"Standard serving size"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Best served fresh; however, can be stored and reheated once."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a sealed container in the fridge.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stove until steaming hot; do not boil for too long or the milk may skin."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_980c775f41%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9009d336-03a9-4e81-b53c-afaf0b16274b","imageAlt":"Ginger and Cardamom Masala Chai — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["chai","indian tea","spiced tea","hot beverage","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Masala Chai","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:43:05.772Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:43:05.772Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_27b479deff","slug":"aam-panna","title":"Aam Panna","description":"A refreshing and cooling Indian summer drink made from tangy raw green mangoes, flavored with roasted cumin, black salt, and fresh mint. It's the perfect natural hydrator for hot weather.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_27b479deff%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=2f42c3ae-a1c9-428e-85b1-92e052e98dfc","imageAlt":"Aam Panna — recipe cover","tags":["mango","indian drink","summer cooler","tangy","vegan","refreshing","aam panna"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2e082afe98","slug":"chaas-indian-buttermilk","title":"Chaas (Indian Buttermilk)","description":"A refreshing and savory Indian yogurt drink infused with roasted cumin and black salt. Perfect for cooling down and aiding digestion after a spicy meal.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["North Indian","Gujarati"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_carb","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2e082afe98%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=502141c8-2629-402c-ab94-aeab29bd4072","imageAlt":"Chaas (Indian Buttermilk) — recipe cover","tags":["beverage","cooling","digestive","yogurt","savory","low calorie","probiotic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_07e1d17ab0","slug":"masala-chai","title":"Masala Chai with Whole Spices","description":"A fragrant, warming Indian tea brewed with whole spices, ginger, and milk for a rich and comforting experience.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_07e1d17ab0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d51e64b3-70e3-40c0-8136-cebf1ec38c5c","imageAlt":"Masala Chai with Whole Spices — recipe cover","tags":["tea","spiced","hot drink","indian tea","morning","aromatic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5}]}