Elachi Chai Cardamom Tea With Milk Recipe
My day begins with a warmed-up Elachi Chai, or Cardamom Tea With Milk. This comforting beverage combines unpretentious black tea with the essence of beautiful crushed green cardamom pods.
When I make Elachi Chai, I use half water and half milk; the milk makes for a creamy, sweet base for my tea. I also add sugar.
You can add sugar or not as it suits you. But you can’t forget the sugar for my mother’s version.
She loves her Elachi Chai sweet. Maybe that’s why, when I first tasted Elachi Chai, it tasted like a hug for my taste buds.
Ingredients
Tea Leaves: Black.
Antioxidants: Rich in them.
Flavor: Bold, deliciousness, and energizing caffeine.
Green cardamom pods: impart aroma and warmth, assist in digestion, and enhance metabolism.
Milk: A protein- and calcium-rich staple that contributes creaminess and richness.
Sugar: Sweetens tea, boosts flavors, can be used to adjust to pretty much any taste we want.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk
- 4 teaspoons loose black tea leaves
- 4-5 green cardamom pods, crushed
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with 4-5 crushed green cardamom pods.
2. Combine the water and cardamom and heat until boiling over medium heat.
3. After the water has reached a full boil, add to the saucepan 4 teaspoons of loose black tea leaves.
4. Let the tea steep and simmer for 3-4 minutes for the flavor to be fully extracted.
5. Pour 2 cups of milk into the saucepan, stirring to incorporate into the tea.
6. Return the mixture to a gentle boil. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t overflow.
7. Blend in 2 tablespoons of sugar, modifying for taste as needed.
8. Lower the heat and allow the tea to simmer for another 2-3 minutes, making sure all flavors blend into one harmonious profile.
9. Using a fine mesh strainer to catch the tea leaves and cardamom pods, pour the tea into cups or a teapot.
10. Serve the hot Elachi Chai straight away, enjoying its rich and aromatic flavors.
Equipment Needed
1. Medium saucepan
2. Measuring cups
3. Measuring spoons
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Fine mesh strainer
6. Teapot or serving cups
FAQ
- Q: Can I use tea bags instead of loose black tea leaves?A: Yes, you can use tea bags in place of loose leaves. For every teaspoon of loose tea, use about one tea bag, although you may want to adjust this depending on your taste.
- Q: How can I make the chai spicier?A: If you want your chai to be more robust, then in addition to crushing more cardamom pods, which is always a good way to start, think about adding other spices like ginger, cinnamon, or clove.
- Q: Is it necessary to crush the cardamom pods?Crushing the cardamom pods releases their flavor more effectively, augmenting the taste of the chai.
- Q: Can I use a non-dairy milk alternative?A: Absolutely, you can use non-dairy milk, such as almond, soy, or oat milk, instead. Adjust the amount and level of sweetness to your taste.
- Q: How do I adjust the sweetness of the chai?You can modify the quantity of sugar to suit your taste, or use a sweetener of your choice, to achieve the desired level of sweetness.
- Q: What is the best way to serve Elachi Chai?A: Present the beverage hot, in a cup or mug. You may want to complement it with biscuits or other snacks to replicate an adult British tea-drinking experience as closely as possible.
Substitutions and Variations
Milk: For a dairy-free version, substitute almond milk or oat milk.
Black tea leaves, loose: If you don’t have loose leaves, use 4 tea bags.
Pods of green cardamom: Use 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom instead.
Sugar: Replace with honey or agave syrup to taste. For a version that has no sugar, use a sweetener like stevia.