Aromatic Indian Chai Masala
Vegan spice mix · Serves 1 · Ready in 15 min
A warming, fragrant spice blend that transforms every cup of chai into something deeply aromatic — bold with cardamom and cinnamon, gently heated by ginger and black pepper, with a whisper of clove and nutmeg. Mixed in minutes, it fills your kitchen with the scent of a spice bazaar. Keep a jar to hand for morning chai, baked goods, or a pinch stirred into porridge.
Details
- Author: CuisineSavvy
- Cuisine: Indian
- Course: Spice Mix
- Servings: 1
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Diet: Vegan
Nutritional Values
This recipe is entirely plant-based as written — no animal ingredients are present in a traditional chai masala, so no substitutions were needed. The blend is naturally free from dairy, eggs, meat, and fish. Green cardamom is rich in antioxidants and has been used in Ayurvedic tradition to support digestion. Black pepper provides piperine, which may enhance the absorption of other plant compounds. Dry ginger contributes warming gingerols. The mix contains no added salt or sugar, making it a flavour-packed, low-calorie way to season drinks and food.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal | -- |
| Total Fat | 1.5 g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5 g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0 g | -- |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0 g | -- |
| Sodium | 10 mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19 g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber | 9 g | 32% |
| Total Sugars | 0 g | -- |
| Protein | 2 g | 4% |
Ingredients
Instructions
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Aromatic Indian Chai Masala A warming, fragrant spice blend that transforms every cup of chai into something deeply aromatic — bold with cardamom and cinnamon, gently heated by ginger and black pepper, with a whisper of clove and nutmeg. Mixed in minutes, it fills your kitchen with the scent of a spice bazaar. Keep a jar to hand for morning chai, baked goods, or a pinch stirred into porridge. Ingredients [ ] 2 tbsp green cardamom pods (or 1 tbsp pre-ground green cardamom) [ ] 1 tbsp cinnamon (one 7–8 cm stick, or 1 tbsp pre-ground) [ ] 1 tsp whole cloves (or ¾ tsp pre-ground) [ ] 2 tsp dry ginger powder (or a 2 cm piece of dried root ginger) [ ] 1½ tsp black peppercorns (or 1¼ tsp pre-ground black pepper) [ ] ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg (about ¼ of a whole nutmeg) [ ] 1 tsp fennel seeds (optional, for a gentle anise note) Instructions [ ] 1. If using whole spices, place a small dry frying pan over a medium-low heat. [ ] 2. When the pan is warm, add the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, and fennel seeds (if using). [ ] 3. Toast the spices, stirring constantly, for 2–3 minutes until fragrant — do not let them darken or smoke. [ ] 4. Remove the pan from the heat and tip the toasted spices onto a plate. [ ] 5. Leave the spices to cool completely before grinding. [ ] 6. When the spices are cool, peel the cardamom pods and discard the husks, keeping only the seeds. [ ] 7. Break the cinnamon stick into smaller pieces. [ ] 8. Transfer the cardamom seeds, cinnamon pieces, cloves, and peppercorns (and fennel seeds, if using) to a spice grinder or pestle and mortar. [ ] 9. Grind to a fine powder. [ ] 10. Add the dry ginger powder and freshly grated nutmeg to the ground spices. [ ] 11. Stir well until evenly combined. [ ] 12. Sieve the blend through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding any coarse pieces that will not pass through. [ ] 13. Spoon the finished chai masala into a clean, dry, airtight jar and label with the date. [ ] 14. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months; the blend is most fragrant in the first 4–6 weeks. [ ] 15. To make one cup of chai, stir ¼–½ tsp of chai masala into your pot or mug. [ ] 16. Use it in spiced black tea with plant-based milk, stirred into oat porridge, dusted over banana bread, or blended into a smoothie. https://www.cuisinesavvy.com/recipe/aromatic-indian-chai-masala
External Recipes
- Chai Spice (Health Score: 66)
HealthScore: 88
A pure whole-spice blend — cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, pepper, and nutmeg — with no added oil, salt, or sugar, so every spoonful delivers warming aromatics and potent antioxidants. Just remember the health story belongs to the whole cup of chai, not this garnish alone.