Sesame Free Masala Chai

Total time20 min

Prep time5 min

Cook time15 min

4.6

(15)

Warm, spiced, and deeply aromatic, this homemade chai is the kind of drink that makes you want to curl up and slow down. Whole cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorn, and fresh ginger simmer together until the water turns fragrant and golden — a process that fills your kitchen with an incredible scent before the tea even hits the pot. The milk goes in last, transforming everything into a creamy, caramel-colored cup that's rich without being heavy. For anyone navigating sesame concerns, this recipe is naturally worry-free — every ingredient is a whole spice, a tea bag, or a pantry staple with no hidden blends or sauces to second-guess. Store-bought chai concentrates and spice mixes can be surprisingly tricky to vet, so brewing from scratch like this puts you fully in control. The final strain through a fine-mesh sieve gives you a silky, smooth result that feels genuinely café-quality. Adjust the sugar to your liking and you've got a cup that's completely your own.

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Ingredients

4 servings

8 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
4 whole cloves
6 black peppercorns
1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
1 star anise (optional)
2 cups water
3 tsp loose-leaf black tea or 3 black tea bags (such as assam or darjeeling)
2 cups whole milk
2–3 tbsp sugar, or to taste

Instructions

1
Combine the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, ginger, and star anise (if using) in a medium saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the water is fragrant and lightly tinted.
2
Add the black tea and simmer for 2 minutes, until the liquid is a deep amber-brown.

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