Masala Chai(Tea with spices)& Masala Milk

Cafe` Coffee Day and Barista may have made inroads into the City of joy and the upmarket kolkatan might be out relaxing at these places, but even today there are quite a few kolkatans who are content, musing over a cup, at college street Coffee House or Shyam bazar Sutanuti Junction. They are often found at these places, sipping a cup of coffee or masala tea and pondering over the policies of the government. For a city with a weakness for the celebral rather than for the cosmetic, the coffee houses despite the worn out look will always remain a cut above the rest.

A cup of tea or coffee works anytime of the day, especially when you are looking for some adda (chatting session) with friends.

A cloudy day makes it perfect for a cup of hot Bhajias(fritters) and tea.....Masala chai, Green tea or Darjelling tea or if u prefer, some masala milk.
Here is how i make masala tea or masala milk for my family. Its very simple and takes around 10 minutes to prepare a cup.

Masala Chai

Ingredients :

Assam Tea                       1 tbsp
Milk                                 100ml
Sugar                               40 grams
Peppercorns                     2
Bay Leaf                           1
Green Cardamom             1
Clove                                1
Cinnamon                          1
Poppy  Seeds                    a pinch

Masala Chai

Method :

Assemble all the dry spices(masalas) and dry roast them till you get the aroma of the spices.
Dry grind the roasted spices to make a smooth powder. Keep aside.
Boil the milk.
Add tea leaves and cook till the froth comes up.
Add sugar and the prepared masala, give one boil and strain through a strainer.
Fill a cup and serve hot.

Tea

Pic courtesy : Google                                                

Darjeeling Tea

 

Masala Milk :

Ingredients :

Milk                                      200ml
Sugar                                     40 grams
Almonds                                10 grams
Pistachios                               10 grams
Cardamom Powder                a pinch
Saffron                                   a pinch
Bay Leaf                                1
Cinnamon Stick                      1
Green Cardamom                   2 pieces

Method :

Boil the milk.
Add sugar to it along with bay leaf, cardamom and cinnamon stick and boil further.
Soak the almonds and pistachios to soften them.Then peel and grate.
Add the cardamom powder to the milk.
Serve garnished with almond and pista grated and saffron strands on top.

Short, black, long black, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, mocha, extra strong, decafe......we find all so appealing. Tea originated in China where the monks drank it to stay awake during meditation sessions. It was introduced to Europe in 1657. Coffee was introduced to Europe in 1573.
Both tea and coffee contain caffeine.