Go to an Indian/Paki/Eastern Import Grocer.
“Tea India” brand is very popular with Chai drinkers from India.
“Brooke Bond Red Label” is fantastic and very forgiving if you let it boil away on the stove.
“PG Tips” is wonderful bagged tea, much cheaper than the same box at an English import store, and great for a teapot or made into Chai.
At a “Western” grocery store, believe it or not, Lipton’s, Red Rose, Tetley are great for making a hearty, earthy Chai.
Don’t be afraid to try English or Irish or Scottish Breakfast teas.
Try a Ceylon Orange Pekoe, or Darjeeling.
Lapsang Souchong will stimulate your senses with the smokey flavor. Still makes a great Chai, depending on spices used.
Also, please try a good Jasmine Tea, for a wonderful, light flavored Chai. It could become your favorite.
You’ll want to avoid the flavored Teas, like Earl Grey, which is scented with Bergamot Oil. Doesn’t mix well with the spices.
Spices
Indian/Eastern Import Stores are your best bet.
Try the “Specialty” section of your Grocer’s before going to the Baking Supplies area.
You’ll find most of the spices at a supermarket in the Baking Supplies row, but the price for a little jar will astound you.
Whole Cinnamon and Whole Cloves can be bought in the Mexican Spice area of many supermarkets, in bags.
Whole Black Peppercorns are also readily available.
Green Cardamom Pods, at the Indian store.
Ginger can be bought fresh at most Groceries.
Black Cardamom Pods are found at Indian Grocers.
Star Anise can be found in the Mexican Spice area or Import store.
Fennel seed is cheapest at the Indian store, or Mexican Spice area.
Homemade Chai Cheating
Go to any Indian/Eastern Import Grocer.
Buy 1 of every brand of “Tea Masala”/”Chai Masala” you can get your hands on.
Use a couple of pinches (SERIOUSLY!) per cup of finished tea.
When you find what you like, buy lots more of that brand.
Chai Masala is cheap!
Good in Hot Milk, too!
Milk
Traditionally, Milk in India comes from the Water Buffalo. It has a unique flavor that, once tasted in Chai, is hard to equal with what Ol’ Bossy produces in the West.
So, that aside, any kind of Milk – Cow’s, Goat’s, Sheep, Buffalo, Camel, – Whole Cream, Whole Milk, Raw, 2%, Pasteurized, Condensed (authentic in select areas!); any Soy Milk, Almond Milk. I suppose you could use Coffee “Whitener”. (You’ve got a Jones, if you have used it. Um, yeah, I’ve used it. But only on a Chai Teabag that was a commercial premix.)
Sweetener
For the most authentic taste, at the Indian store, buy a block of “Gur” or “Jaggery”; raw sugar pressed into blocks. Break off chunks of that!
Careful!
You don’t want to break any tile counters when preparing your Gur.
At a Hispanic grocer or Mexican spice area, look for “Piloncillo” for almost the same taste.
Sugar, honey, whatever you like, can be added for sweetener.
In the interests of furthering international relations and good will, particularly in the interests of great food of all kinds, ask the Indian storekeeper how his/her family makes Chai. You may get something quite different and unique from what you can put to taste here.
How to Make Chai Tea
Buy some common Chai Ingredients.
Black Tea
Get boxed or loose or bags.
Go to an Indian/Paki/Eastern Import Grocer.
“Tea India” brand is very popular with Chai drinkers from India.
“Brooke Bond Red Label” is fantastic and very forgiving if you let it boil away on the stove.
“PG Tips” is wonderful bagged tea, much cheaper than the same box at an English import store, and great for a teapot or made into Chai.
At a “Western” grocery store, believe it or not, Lipton’s, Red Rose, Tetley are great for making a hearty, earthy Chai.
Don’t be afraid to try English or Irish or Scottish Breakfast teas.
Try a Ceylon Orange Pekoe, or Darjeeling.
Lapsang Souchong will stimulate your senses with the smokey flavor. Still makes a great Chai, depending on spices used.
Also, please try a good Jasmine Tea, for a wonderful, light flavored Chai. It could become your favorite.
You’ll want to avoid the flavored Teas, like Earl Grey, which is scented with Bergamot Oil. Doesn’t mix well with the spices.
Spices
Indian/Eastern Import Stores are your best bet.
Try the “Specialty” section of your Grocer’s before going to the Baking Supplies area.
You’ll find most of the spices at a supermarket in the Baking Supplies row, but the price for a little jar will astound you.
Whole Cinnamon and Whole Cloves can be bought in the Mexican Spice area of many supermarkets, in bags.
Whole Black Peppercorns are also readily available.
Green Cardamom Pods, at the Indian store.
Ginger can be bought fresh at most Groceries.
Black Cardamom Pods are found at Indian Grocers.
Star Anise can be found in the Mexican Spice area or Import store.
Fennel seed is cheapest at the Indian store, or Mexican Spice area.
Homemade Chai Cheating
Go to any Indian/Eastern Import Grocer.
Buy 1 of every brand of “Tea Masala”/”Chai Masala” you can get your hands on.
Use a couple of pinches (SERIOUSLY!) per cup of finished tea.
When you find what you like, buy lots more of that brand.
Chai Masala is cheap!
Good in Hot Milk, too!
Milk
Traditionally, Milk in India comes from the Water Buffalo. It has a unique flavor that, once tasted in Chai, is hard to equal with what Ol’ Bossy produces in the West.
So, that aside, any kind of Milk – Cow’s, Goat’s, Sheep, Buffalo, Camel, – Whole Cream, Whole Milk, Raw, 2%, Pasteurized, Condensed (authentic in select areas!); any Soy Milk, Almond Milk. I suppose you could use Coffee “Whitener”. (You’ve got a Jones, if you have used it. Um, yeah, I’ve used it. But only on a Chai Teabag that was a commercial premix.)
Sweetener
For the most authentic taste, at the Indian store, buy a block of “Gur” or “Jaggery”; raw sugar pressed into blocks. Break off chunks of that!
Careful!
You don’t want to break any tile counters when preparing your Gur.
At a Hispanic grocer or Mexican spice area, look for “Piloncillo” for almost the same taste.
Sugar, honey, whatever you like, can be added for sweetener.
In the interests of furthering international relations and good will, particularly in the interests of great food of all kinds, ask the Indian storekeeper how his/her family makes Chai. You may get something quite different and unique from what you can put to taste here.