Stovetop Masala Chai
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 piece fresh ginger, 1-inch piece, sliced or smashed
- 4 cardamom pods, green, lightly crushed
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cloves
- ⅛ tsp black peppercorns (optional)
- 2 black tea bags, or 1 tbsp loose black tea
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp sugar, or to taste
Stovetop Masala Chai
- Bring the water, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns to a boil in a small saucepan.
- Lower the heat and simmer so the spices color and flavor the water.
- Add the tea and simmer until the liquid turns deep brown.
- Pour in the milk and sugar and heat until the chai rises up the pan, then lower the heat before it boils over.
- Strain into mugs and serve hot.