What makes authentic Kenyan chai masala unique?
Unlike plain tea, Kenyan chai masala isn’t just a drink – its black tea with a blend of warm spices and milk. It’s a daily ritual and a comfort that’s relaxing and make your taste buds want more. The key is in the spices – potent, aromatic, and extremely well-balanced. Although many different countries have their own variations of spiced tea, Kenyan chai masala is specifically famous for its balance – not too spicy, not too bland.
Common spices include:
- Cloves (karafuu) – for a pungent, spicy kick.
- Ginger (tangawizi) – provides a zest and freshness.
- Cardamom (iliki) – gives the flavor of floral sweetness and a nice fragrance.
- Black pepper (pilipili manga) – just a little bit of heat that make the flavor stronger.
- Cinnamon (mdalasini) – brings a nice warm and deep flavor.
Ingredients
Spice quantities can be changed as per your liking.
- 2 cups of milk (or a plant-based milk of your choice such as oat or soy milk)
- 2 teaspoons of Kenyan black tea leaves
- 3-4 cardamom pods (crushed)
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 3-4 cloves
- One half inch of fresh ginger (grated or sliced)
- 1-2 black peppercorns (use it for an extra heat if you like)
- 2-3 teaspoons sugar (adjust according to your taste).
Step-by-step instructions
- Boil the water and add spices – in a sufuria, add the water and bring it to a boil. Add your spices and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes for the fullness of the spices’ aroma.
- Add the tea leaves – in the boiling water add the black tea leaves. Let it boil for 2-3 minutes to get the black tea color and flavor.
- Add the milk – pour the milk in the sufuria and lower the heat to make sure it doesn’t overflow. Let it simmer gently for 5-7 minutes for a stronger flavor.
- Sweeten the chai – add sugar in the chai and adjust according to your taste. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Strain and serve – use a mesh strainer to sieve and pour in the cups. Serve it hot and pair with mandazi, chapati or bread.
Health benefits of chai masala
Besides being very tasty, chai masala is an amazing healthy tea:
- Improves immunity: ginger and cloves have a lot of antioxidant substances.
- Aids in digestion: cardamom and cinnamon support gut health.
- Relieves stress: the aromatic blend is a natural relaxant.
- It enhances blood circulation: black tea and spices stimulate blood flow.
The health benefits makes you enjoy flavor and wellness in one comforting cup.
Tips for the perfect chai masala
- Use fresh spices: fresh spices that are crushed or sliced have more aroma.
- Simmer slowly: lower heat to avoid boiling the tea too– slow simmering allows the spices’ flavors to blend perfectly.
- Balance the spices: too much cloves or pepper will overpower the tea.
Conclusion
Home-made Kenyan chai masala is very simple to prepare. A handful of spices will do to have a daily moment of warmth at home. No matter if it is taken at the beginning of the day or in the evening, this recipe captures Kenyan cuisine—one cup at a time.
