{"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},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 cup water","name":"Water","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Liquid Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 cup whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"whole milk preferred","group":"Liquid Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 teaspoons black tea leaves","name":"Black Tea","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"loose leaves","notes":"Assam tea is traditional","group":"Tea and Sweetener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 teaspoons sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"Tea and Sweetener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 inch fresh ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"crushed","notes":"fresh root","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"3 green cardamom pods","name":"Green Cardamom Pods","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"cracked","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 cloves","name":"Cloves","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 small cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"3 black peppercorns","name":"Black Peppercorn","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Spices","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Using a mortar and pestle, coarsely crush the ginger, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, and peppercorns.","group":"Preparation","title":"Using a mortar and pestle, coarsely crush the ginger, cardamom pods, cloves","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water (240ml) and the crushed spices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.","group":"Brewing","title":"Combine 1 cup water and the crushed spices","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Brewing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the black tea leaves and sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the water is deeply colored and fragrant.","group":"Brewing","title":"Add the black tea leaves and sugar","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Brewing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour in 1 cup milk (240ml). Increase heat slightly and bring the tea to a rolling boil. Watch closely so it doesn't boil over.","group":"Brewing","title":"Pour in 1 cup milk","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Brewing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Once it boils, turn off the heat. Let it sit for 1 minute, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve into cups. Serve hot.","group":"Serving","title":"Turn off the heat","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a stronger tea, crush the spices freshly just before brewing. Adjust the sugar level to your preference.","cuisine":{"group":"Desi","specific":["Indian"]},"course":["drink"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["saucepan","mortar and pestle","fine mesh sieve","tea cups"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"cups","note":"Standard tea cups"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The spice mix (dry) can be crushed in bulk and stored, but the tea is best made fresh."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best consumed immediately. Can be reheated on the stove, but the texture of the milk may change slightly.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat."}},"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","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tea","spiced","hot drink","indian tea","morning","aromatic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Masala Chai","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T17:43:42.197Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T17:43:42.197Z","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_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},"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_980c775f41%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9009d336-03a9-4e81-b53c-afaf0b16274b","imageAlt":"Ginger and Cardamom Masala Chai — recipe cover","tags":["chai","indian tea","spiced tea","hot beverage","traditional"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":6}]}