Ever since I discovered masala chai many years ago, I’ve been an avid chai drinker to this day. I’ve enjoyed it with and without milk for many years.
I love recommending Masala chai to friends and family. Many people love the melody of spices, and Masala chai is pretty versatile.
Due to its compilation of spices, If you find one of them too strong, lessen it, substitute, or remove it.
Milk is one of the ingredients that can be substituted for something more desirable.
Is Masala Chai Tea Better With Milk or Water?
Although Masala Chai is still enjoyable without milk if you’re avoiding dairy or additional sugars! Many people prefer to consume Masala Chai the traditional way, with milk or milk substitutes like coconut, almond, or cashew milk. Milk provides body and richness.
The combination of aromatic spices gives chai tea a robust flavor and smell. Every sip will enchant your taste buds whether you add milk or water to your chai tea.
Personal preference can play a significant role in how you want to drink your chai. Over the past few years, I found I enjoy chai tea more without milk.
Chai and water can provide an unadulterated taste of the spices.
When I’m looking for that dessert-type comfort drink, I will add cow’s milk, coconut milk, or almond milk. The combination of milk with Masala chai reminds me of drinking warm Taiwanese milk tea, just more pact with spices.
Can You Add Milk Even if You Use Chai Tea Bags?
Adding milk to your chai tea is an accepted and delicious practice. Depending on the brand, be mindful of how much liquid you use. Adding too much water or milk will weaken the chai flavor.
When I first was hunting for chai, I picked up Tazo Teabags from my local store. This was an effortless way to consume masala chai. Nowadays
I experiment with masala (spices) to create different flavor profiles.
What Is the Best Way to Drink Chai Tea?
Chai is India’s most popular drink. Many people in India and around the globe enjoy chai tea the traditional way with whole cow’s milk.
There is no denying the richness milk brings to Masala tea. In a 2014 BBC article, they state, “the country consumes 837,000 tonnes of it every year.”
Chai has become quite popular in western culture. The traditional recipe has been transformed into lattes and other delicious delights.
If you’re trying chai for the first time, you should enjoy it the traditional South Asian way. This gives a baseline to branch out from.
Once you’ve honored this traditional hot beverage in its iconic form, then you can make alterations that might be more suited to your taste.
The first time I made Masala chai from scratch, I didn’t enjoy the intense cardamom and black pepper.
So I added fewer of the two ingredients in my next batch. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own Masala chai powder, here is a simple guide you can read.
The benefit to making your masala chai is getting a flavor-packed powder that will beat most store-bought chai.
Milk and Milk Alternatives Nutrition Chart
| Almond milk | Cashew milk | Coconut milk | Cow’s milk (whole) | Rice milk | Soy milk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 30 | 25 | 50 | 148 | 112 | 131 |
| Carbohydrate (Total) | 16 g | 2 g | 12 g | 22 g | 15 g | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 24.4 g | 0 mg | 0 mg | ||
| Fats (Total) | 3 g | 2 g | 57 g | 8 g | 2.3 g | 4.3 g |
| Potassium | 631.2 mg | 322.1 mg | 65 mg | 286.7 mg | ||
| Protein | 1 g | 1 g | 5 g | 8 g | .07 g | 8 g |
| Sodium | 36 g | 104.9 | 94 mg | 123.9 mg | ||
| Sugar | 7 g | 8 g | 12 g | 13 g | 10 g |
What Type of Milk Goes Well With Chai Tea?
From my experience, I find most people enjoy Masala tea with whole cow’s milk.
The fat in the milk gives the tea body, which many tea drinkers enjoy. Also, there is a technique called pulling that thickens the chai.
If you’re in the market for tasty alternatives, you came to the right place.
Milk Alternatives
Coconut milk: This is my favorite alternative to cow’s milk. It’s high in oil content, giving the milky opaque liquid a richer taste.
The majority of the oils in coconuts are saturated fats. Coconut milk is extracted by grating and squeezing the pulp from mature coconuts.
This alternative can be a lifesaver if you’re lactose intolerant and are looking for a way to enjoy chai with something similar to milk.
Almond milk: Almond milk is the OG of milk alternative and is one of the most popular milk alternatives you can add to hot beverages. Almond milk contains vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium and is filled with antioxidants, according to WebMD.
Unlike coconut milk, water is added to almonds processed to create what we know as almond milk.
Soy milk: Although I find soy milk a bit thin for my liking, I will still list it as the 3rd runner-up.
Soy milk contains vitamin B, and vitamin A, and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Besides the health benefits, soy milk tastes great!
How to Make Chai Tea With Milk
Here’s a delicious masala chai recipe I make at home and enjoy daily.
Ingredients
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 6 – 8 Green cardamom pods
- 3 – 4 Black cardamom pods
- 5 – 7 Whole cloves
- 5 – 6 peppercorns
- 6 – 7 grams of fresh ginger (you can use ground ginger)
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon loose leaf black tea or 1 black tea bag (optional)
- 1 cup milk or milk alternative – coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, hemp milk, cashew milk (I prefer coconut milk, but it’s traditionally made with cows milk)
- 2 teaspoon white sugar or alternative sweetener like maple syrup or honey (traditionally white sugar is used)
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t like it at first taste. Try it again with less of the ingredient that put you off.
Directions
- Crush or ground cinnamon stick(first break with hand), green cardamom pods, black cardamom pods, whole cloves, peppercorns, and a teaspoon of fennel seeds. Add ingredients to a dry frying pan at medium heat and roast for 4-5 minutes. Take care not to burn ingredients.
- Add all dried ingredients to a pot of boiling water. Crush the fresh ginger and add to boiling water with all the dried ingredients. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes(You may boil longer if stronger tea is desired).
- Add your choice of milk and bring it to a simmer.
- Add your choice of sweetener, stir and taste till you reach your desired taste. Add more sugar if needed.
- Strain into your favorite mug and enjoy.
The Wrap-up
Masala chai is a dynamic beverage with a plethora of health benefits. If you’re new to chai drinking and found this article helpful, I’m glad I’ve introduced someone new to Msasal chai.
If you’ve found this article helpful, here’s another article I’ve written that details what Masala chai tastes like.
Photo altered by dejittr.com | Photo attribution: Mae Mu, Drew Jemmett licensed under CC2.0
