Masala Tea, a Indian traditional milk tea

Masala Tea or Masala Chai is a typical hot beverage of Indian. It is made from black tea powder, pure spices or herbs, sugar, milk and water.  Masala tea originated in India, today this drink has become popular all over the world.

 

In India, it is customary to add a variety of herbs and spices into tea. Herbs and spices are chosen according to each person's taste and health. The most popular spices include green cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, black pepper, tulsi and cloves. 
√ Cinnamon - A spice known for its warm, fragrant, woody aroma; Cinnamon also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.

√ Clove - Brings a nice mild sweet pungent taste to the tea. Cloves also have antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

√ Green Cardamom - Brings a lovely sweet fragrance. You can choose to either crush the whole green pods or add ground cardamom powder. This bean is good for digestion and freshens the mouth and breath.

√ Ginger - Has a pungent taste. You can use ginger powder or crush fresh ginger and then add it into the tea while cooking. Ginger has warm properties, very good for the body. It is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and good for digestion. In addition, Ginger copes very effectively with morning sickness and nausea.

√ Fennel Seeds - Has a warm taste and earthy aroma with a hint of bitterness. Fennel seeds increase antioxidant levels, promote digestion, provide iron, may improve blood sugar control, and may reduce food-borne illnesses.

In addition to the commonly used spices and herbs mentioned above, you can also use herbs like as mint leaves, lemongrass, licorice and spices like cumin seeds, black pepper in its recipe.

Cinnamom

Clove

Green cardamom

Ginger

Fennel seeds

Tea masala

The type of tea used for this beverageThere are two types of tea powder used, Tea Dust and CTC. CTC is an acronym for Crush, Tear and Curl. The tea leaves are crushed, tear and curled using cylindrical rollers at various stages. This processed tea has a granular texture or can be in pellet form and is known as CTC tea or Mamri tea.

Another stronger CTC tea is made from Assam tea. This is the most preferred powdered tea because the robust and bold spices harmonize with the intense flavors of this tea. Others prefer a lighter and milder tea like as Darjeeling tea. In addition, there are blends of both Assam and Darjeeling or Assam and Nilgiri teas for your choice.

Indians love to enjoy the steaming Masala tea on its own, or can be enjoyed with Indian snacks such as pakora, samosa, nankhatai, sandwiches, or cookies.

The Health Benefits of Masala Tea1. Contains Antioxidants
Black tea is the basic ingredient of masala tea, and it has powerful anti-oxidizing properties. The use of clove and cardamom in the drink naturally fight high cholesterol levels. This, in turn, reduces the formation of plaques that cause blockages leading to cardiovascular disease. The ingredients in masala tea keep the blood pressure and heart rate in control.

2. Prevents Cancer
A growing body of research has shown that the strong anti-oxidizing properties of masala tea can prevent cancer. Studies on cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom all prove they can prevent cancer. For further reading on this topic, check out this journal.

3. Aids Digestion
The ingredients used in masala tea, including cardamom, tulsi, and clove, help in the digestive process. When you add ginger into the mixture, the effect becomes even more profound. It has a refreshing and calming effect on the body. If you are struggling with digestion, make sure to drink masala tea with cardamom since it increases the production of saliva.

4. Reduces Inflammation
Many spices are used in the making of this beverage, commonly called masala chai, with the most prominent one being ginger. As a result, masala tea has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have established the positive impact of ginger on the human body. Another ingredient used in masala tea is clove. It is widely used as a painkiller because it reduces inflammation.

5. Boosts Immunity
Masala tea is good for the immune system since it contains cinnamon and clove. When used together, the two compounds enhance each other's medicinal effect. Their synergistic role creates a line of defense that does not allow infections to weaken the immune system. One can argue that masala tea has a medicinal quality to it.

6. Help You Lose Weight
Masala tea contains several ingredients that may work together to promote weight loss or prevent unwanted weight gain. For best results, do not use sugar or sweeteners. The tea has a natural sweet aroma from herbs and spices.

This is due to protein - this nutrient reduces hunger and promotes satiety. Tea is prepared with milk, which is a rich source of protein.

Research has also shown that compounds found in black tea can promote the breakdown of fat and help reduce the number of calories your body absorbs from food. What's more, a high-quality study reported that drinking three cups of black tea a day can help melt belly fat or prevent unwanted weight gain.

7. Increases Your Energy Levels
The basic ingredient of all types of masala tea is black tea, which contains high amounts of caffeine. Studies have shown that caffeine naturally boosts one's energy levels. While caffeine does have a few side effects, other spices in masala tea work together to balance them out. The strong flavor of masala tea, along with its strong dose of caffeine, will give you just the kick you need to start your day on a positive note.

Dosage and safetyStill now, there is no document report about how much tea on average per person will need to drink in a day. It is important to note that tea contains caffeine, which some people may be sensitive to. When consumed in excess, caffeine can cause many unpleasant effects, including anxiety, migraines, high blood pressure, and poor sleep. Too much caffeine can also increase your risk of miscarriage or having a low-birth-weight baby.

For these reasons, individuals should not consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, and those who during pregnancy, no more than 200 mg. Each a 240ml cup of tea is expected to contain about 25mg of caffeine. That's half the caffeine dose provided by the same amount of black tea and a quarter of a typical cup of coffee.

People who are taking blood thinners, who are prone to low blood pressure or low blood sugar, should limit their intake or drink to as little as possible. Because there is ginger in tea, some substances in ginger affect the above diseases. Or you can make Tea without ginger.

People who are lactose intolerant should use plant-based milk to make this tea.

How to make a cup of masala tea yourself at home1. Choose a spice that you like, for example black pepper, fennel seeds, cardamom... with these seeds, you break it to optimize its flavor.

2. Let your pot heat up, then add the seasoning of your choice into pot to lightly roast it, then add a little water and tea (the amount of tea is more or less depending on whether you like the strength of the tea), then add ginger or any herbs you like into.

3. When the water boils for a few minutes, add milk (the kind of milk that you like), sugar (or not, if you don't like sweet). Continue to cook over low heat. About 7 to 10 minutes, you can filter out and enjoy.

Compiled and penned by Crocus Media