Perfect Indian Tea Karak Chai Recipe (Best Cup of Tea)

Looking for a recipe for the tastiest Indian tea you’ve ever had? Then you’ve come to the right place!

This tea recipe is strong, aromatic, and incredibly delicious! Once you have some Karak Chai, I’m sure you’ll want to have it every single day.

This recipe is super easy to make, but the results are astonishingly good. With my secret tip, you’ll be able to get the perfect cup of Indian strong tea wherever you are in the world.

Learn all the tricks and tips on how to get the perfect cup of tea every single time in this post. Read on to know more!

What is Chai Tea?

In the US, Starbucks introduced and popularized traditional Indian tea and calls it Chai Tea Latte. So, you must be wondering, what is chai tea anyway?

Chai literally means tea, and chai tea literally translates to tea tea. Saying it that way sounds cute, and a bit funny to anyone that speaks Hindi or Urdu.

What is Karak Tea?

Karak tea, also sometimes spelled as Kadak chai or tea, is a traditional Indian tea that is strong and rich in flavor.

The word karak literally means strong, and hence you know that the flavor is definitely going to pack a punch – in the best way possible!

Karak chai is usually made with rich, whole-fat milk in India. I remember my teenage years having the tastiest chai ever while living in Mumbai.

The milk they had there was pure, thick, creamy milk. From experience, I’ve learned, that it’s difficult to find that same flavor and consistency elsewhere.

Over the years I’ve experimented and found the perfect way to achieve that same flavor despite not being able to get my hands on the sort of milk that’s traditionally used. What’s the secret, you ask? Evaporated milk!

Evaporated milk is basically milk that has been, you guessed it, evaporated! It’s milk that has gone through a cooking process to evaporate over half of its water content.

This results in milk that’s thicker and creamier than regular milk, and it’s absolutely perfect for the perfect cup of Indian tea!

What’s the Difference Between Karak Chai and Masala Tea?

Karak chai and Masala tea are quite similar yet different. The main difference is the number of spices used in each tea.

Masala literally means spice in Hindi, and so masala tea has a lot more spices than Karak tea does. You’ll find spices such as star anise, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and nutmeg being used to make Masala tea.

Karak chai, on the other hand, uses a lot fewer spices. While every household in India has its own preference when adding spices, the ones that are traditionally used are green cardamom, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and ginger.

If this is your first time making Indian tea and adding spices sounds a bit intimidating, just trust me on this one! The flavor is incredible and wholesome. The spices add the perfect taste and aroma, and this type of tea is super comforting!

Different Type of Tea Leaves You Can Use to Make Indian Tea

When it comes to making the perfect cup of Indian tea, the type of black tea you use really makes a difference in the flavor.

I would always suggest getting your hands on some Indian tea for this recipe, and there are three different types you can use!

Assam Tea

Assam tea originates from North-Eastern India. It’s the place that produces the most tea in the country and hosts the country’s largest tea research center.

This type of tea is strong, full-bodied, and rich in flavor. It truly packs a bunch and is the reason why it’s usually used to make Karak chai.

Tea from Assam has a deep amber color and has the quintessential Indian tea flavor. When confused about which type of tea to buy when it comes to Indian tea, you can go for Assam tea any day!

Darjeeling Tea

Darjeeling tea originates from the Himalayan region in India. This tea has a beautiful, delicate flavor with a golden or amber color.

There are three different harvests for Darjeeling tea which also affects its flavor. Each of these harvests is called a ‘flush’ and you’ll notice this on the packaging when purchasing this type of tea.

The first flush produces a light and aromatic tea. The second flush produces tea that is a bit stronger, and the third flush produces tea that is the lowest quality of the three.

This also affects the price, as you’ll notice that the first flush is the highest priced while the third is the lowest.

Nilgiri Tea

Nilgiri tea comes from Southern India and this type of tea is grown at the highest altitude out of all three teas.

This type of tea has a really subtle flavor with a golden color. It’s also really fragrant with floral tones and a creamy feel.

Since it’s so light and fragrant, I wouldn’t recommend this one for Karak chai which is supposed to be strong.

What You Need to Make the Best Indian Tea - Karak Chai

You only need a few ingredients to make the best cup at home. Let’s look at what these are:

Water: We’ll add water to the tea as well to help bring out the flavors from the spices.

Evaporated milk: Like I mentioned above, evaporated milk is milk that has been gone through a cooking process to evaporate over half of its water content. It’s creamy and thick in texture and is perfect for a cup of Kadak chai. It’s a great replacement for the full-fat milk you get readily in India.

Tea: The type of tea you use makes a big difference to the flavor. So don’t skip the section above on the different types of tea you can use. Regardless, pick an Indian tea when making this recipe. (Lipton tea produces a bitter taste when cooked.)

Sugar: We’ll use regular sugar in our recipe for Indian tea to get the perfect level of sweetness.

Whole spices: This is where all the magic happens! You’ll be needing green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger. To crush open the cardamom pods, I recommend using a mortar and pestle.

How to Easily Make Indian Tea at Home

Making the best chai you’ve ever had is easier than you think! Here’s how to make Indian strong tea at home:

In a saucepan, add the water, fresh ginger, cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom, and clove. Let the water come to a boil.

Once the water starts boiling, add the sugar and tea into the pan and reduce the heat. Let this simmer for 1 minute.

Next, turn off the heat and cover the tea. Let it steep for one minute.

Now add the milk to the saucepan and bring the tea to a boil. Let it boil for 1 minute.

Use a strainer to strain the tea and serve it hot.

Tips to Get the Best Chai Ever

• Tea is very delicate, so letting it boil for too long will change its taste and reduce the flavor. That’s why make sure to follow my recipe to a T.
• Steeping the tea is the best way to let the flavor of the spices and tea come together, so don't skip this step.
• The type of tea leaf you use makes a big difference to the flavor of the tea you’ll get in the end. I recommend going with Assam tea to get the best Indian tea flavor.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

Biscotti: I love dipping some biscotti in the chai while having it. It’s a classic way Indians have tea by dipping some kind of cookie or biscuit in it. You have got to give it a go!

Kerala Paratha: Another delicious way to have this chai is to dip some freshly made parathas in it instead! It’s even better than you think!

Samosas: If it’s raining outside, then this is my go-to way of having Indian tea by having it alongside some freshly made, warm samosas. It’s so incredibly comforting.