Karak Tea (Karak Chai) Recipe

Introduction

Karak Tea, also known as Karak Chai, is a rich and aromatic spiced tea popular in many cultures. This comforting beverage blends robust black tea with warm spices and creamy milk, perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of water
• 2 tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose tea)
• 5 oz evaporated unsweetened milk
• Sugar (to taste)
• 8 cardamom pods
• 4-5 whole cloves
• 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 slices of fresh ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
• 3-5 saffron threads

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a pot or tea pot, combine the water, tea bags, and sugar. Stir gently to mix the sugar evenly.
2. Step 2: Add the cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and saffron threads. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Pour in the evaporated milk, reduce the heat to low, and allow the tea to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Strain the tea into serving cups, removing the spices, and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the sugar to your preference for sweetness, or try using honey for a different flavor.
• For a stronger spice flavor, gently crush the cardamom pods and cloves before adding.
• Substitute evaporated milk with regular milk or a plant-based alternative for a lighter version.
• Adding a pinch of black pepper can enhance the warmth of the tea.

Storage

Store any leftover Karak Tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well before serving to maintain its creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated milk?

Yes, regular milk or any plant-based milk can be used, but evaporated milk gives the tea a richer, creamier texture.

Is it necessary to use all the spices listed?

No, you can customize the spice blend based on your taste. Cardamom and cinnamon are the most traditional, but cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and saffron add distinct layers of flavor.

Karak Tea (Karak Chai) Recipe

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Karak Tea, also known as Karak Chai, is a rich and aromatic spiced tea popular in the Middle East and South Asia. This traditional recipe blends strong black tea with evaporated milk, fragrant spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and saffron, and is sweetened to taste. The slow simmering enhances the flavors, resulting in a creamy, deeply flavorful tea perfect for any time of day.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Beverage
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern/South Asian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Tea Base

• 2 cups of water
• 2 tea bags or 2 teaspoons loose black tea
• Sugar, to taste
• 5 oz evaporated unsweetened milk

Spices

• 8 cardamom pods
• 4–5 whole cloves
• 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder or 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 slices of fresh ginger or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3–5 saffron threads

Instructions

1. Combine tea and water: In a pot or tea pot, add the 2 cups of water, the tea bags or loose tea, and sugar to taste. Stir gently to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
2. Add spices and boil: Add the cardamom pods, whole cloves, cinnamon (powder or stick), nutmeg, fresh ginger slices, and saffron threads to the pot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, allowing the spices to infuse into the tea.
3. Add evaporated milk and simmer: Pour in the 5 oz evaporated unsweetened milk, reduce the heat to low, and let the tea simmer gently for 3-5 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and the tea to develop a creamy texture.
4. Strain and serve: Remove the pot from the heat and strain the tea to separate the liquid from the tea leaves and spices. Pour the Karak Tea into serving cups and enjoy hot.

Notes

• You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference.
• Using fresh spices yields the best flavor, but ground spices can be substituted in a pinch.
• Saffron threads add a unique aroma and color; if unavailable, you can omit them.
• Evaporated milk can be replaced with regular milk or a milk alternative, but evaporated milk provides a distinctive richness.
• Simmering time can be adjusted; longer simmering intensifies the spice infusion.

Keywords: Karak Tea, Karak Chai, spiced tea, cardamom tea, Indian tea, Middle Eastern tea, evaporated milk tea, chai recipe