Looking to understand chai more? We asked Mira Manek, a chai expert, to deep dive into chai explaining its origins, meanings and how chai evolved into what we know it as today. Plus, we've shared all our best chai recipes, from a classic chai latte, to different twists on chai drinks and chai-inspired bakes, including banana bread and a chai-infused chocolate cake.

Advertisement

Try our ideas below, then check out our best coffee recipes and tea recipes for more inspiration.


What does chai mean?

Globally, the meaning of chai has changed. In its original form, chai isn't an Indian word – it's a Chinese word that became chai from the word "tei". In countries where tea traveled from China via sea, it's still called tea, but where it traveled to countries by land, it's now called chai. So, when you go to Russia or Ukraine, they still call every version of tea "chai", but in the west, we think of chai as a milky, sweet, spicy concoction – tea is almost the secondary element. But what we're actually drinking in most cases when we go to these cafés (or what people think of chai) is actually masala chai, which is the Indian version of chai.

What are the origins of masala chai?

The history of drinking spices in India originates in the text of the ayurveda thousands of years ago. The Maharajas – the kings of India – used to drink spices in hot water. It was considered medicinal, but also something that the rich could afford. The way you'd have ayurvedic medicine is the same way you'd have an ayurvedic concoction to drink, and that concoction would have lots of spices, plus some jaggery to sweeten it, in hot water. Adding tea came about much later, in the early 20th century.

In India, they have now mashed the two things together by adopting tea, combining it with that ancient ayurvedic practice of spices and water, and adding milk. Chai may not be Indian in origin, but the drink we now know as chai is very Indian.

Are there different versions of masala chai?

Every region (and even town) in India makes chai differently, as homes will have their own spice blends. For example, there's salty chai in the Himalayan regions and Bhopal (namak wali chai), saffron chai or nagori chai in dairy farmer communities, which is made with thick milk.

What are some common spices found in chai?

Chai spice blends will often include:

  • Ginger (may help reduce inflammation), either powdered or freshly grated into the water as it boils
  • Crushed cardamom pods
  • Cinnamon (whole cinnamon sticks should be crushed to release the aromas)
  • Pepper (black or white – white pepper has more heat)
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Saffron (a small pinch)

Chai recipes

Chai latte

Infuse black tea and almond milk with fragrant spices for a dairy-free twist on this Indian-inspired drink.

A blue table topped with two blue mugs filled with spiced milk

Masala chai

Fill your kitchen with the dreamy spiced aroma of masala chai. Comforting and warm, this drink is the perfect pick-me-up during the winter months.

Cups of chai tea on a serving tray

Karak chai

Make this strong tea with warming spices to wake up your body and kick-start your day. Karak chai can be enjoyed first thing in the morning or with a biscuit for afternoon tea.

Two mugs of karak chai on a plate with cinnamon sticks and a bowl of cardamom pods

Turmeric chai tea

Turmeric is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been used as a culinary medicine in India for centuries. This chai is simple to make and great for using up leftover turmeric.

Turmeric Chai Tea in two cups with a tea pot

Spiced apple dirty chai latte

Enjoy the autumnal flavours of spiced apples in this cosy coffee drink.


Iced chai latte

This Indian-inspired latte is made with darjeeling tea, black pepper, cinnamon and hazelnut milk to create a wonderfully nutty, aromatic complexity.

A glass full of iced chai latte

Chai white russian

Colder autumn months call for the warming spices of chai. We’ve used these flavours to put a twist on a classic white russian to tap into the trend for coffee cocktails.

White Russian Cocktail Recipe

Mira Manek's ayurvedic kadha chai

Learn about the healing properties of this soothing, traditional ayurvedic mixture of herbs and spices from ayurveda health expert Mira Manek.


Chai-inspired bakes

Spiced chai banana bread

This gently warming banana bread, flavoured with black tea and a masala chai-inspired spice blend, is a wonderful spin on a classic.

A fresh sliced banana loaf

Sticky banoffee pudding with chai caramel

These squidgy banoffee puddings are topped with caramelised banana and a delicately spiced chai toffee sauce. Impressive but simple to make, they're ideal for a dinner party.

Sticky banoffee pudding

Chocolate-chai kefir cake

We've added kefir to this glossy, indulgent chocolate and chai-spiced cake to help keep it extra-moist.

Chocolate Cake Recipe with Chai and Kefir

Chai-spiced madeleines

Tea and cake is a much-loved combo, especially in the form of a delicate madeleine. We've given them a grown up twist with chai spices to serve as an easy afternoon tea snack.

Advertisement

Easy Madeleine Recipe With Chai Spices

Dirty chai ombre cake

Inspired by a dirty chai (a masala chai latte made with a shot of espresso), this showstopping cake boasts layers of chai-infused ganache and chocolate ombre sponge.

A cake with a large slice cut out, iced with cream icing and three layers of sponge of different shades of brown

Authors

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement