Masala chai made from scratch is one of those drinks that instantly makes a kitchen feel warmer and more alive. The combination of crushed cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and fresh ginger simmered together creates a deeply aromatic base that no store-bought mix can touch. Once the black tea goes in and the milk follows, everything melds into a rich, caramel-colored cup that's spicy, sweet, and completely satisfying. The whole process is straightforward ā just a single saucepan, a fine-mesh strainer, and a little patience while the spices do their thing. Every ingredient here is naturally free from tree nuts, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved ā just whole spices, good tea, and milk. Adjust the sugar to your liking before serving, and don't skip pressing the solids through the strainer to get every last drop of flavor into your mug.
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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.
Add the black tea and simmer for 2 minutes, until the liquid is a deep amber-brown.
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