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Tea masala

Warming spice blend for masala chai. Makes about 500 g

The spice blend that turns a cup of tea into masala chai. It's built on cardamom, with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and nutmeg. Add a pinch (about ¼ tsp per cup) to tea while it boils.
Total time
20 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
1
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Ingredients

Serves1

Method

0/3 done
  1. Step 1: Put 7 oz green cardamom pods, 3 ½ oz cinnamon sticks, 3 ½ oz cloves, 3 ½ oz black peppercorns and 2 whole nutmegs in a heavy pan.

  2. Step 2: Roast on a low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often. Add 3 ½ oz ground ginger for the last 2 minutes so it doesn't scorch.

    15 min
  3. Step 3: Let it cool, then grind into a fine powder. Store in an airtight jar, away from light and heat, and use within 3 months for the best flavour.

B
Recipe by

Badal Patel

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Good to know

How long does tea masala take?
About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
1 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
What can I use instead of green cardamom pods?
A pinch of ground cardamom per 2 pods.
What can I use instead of cinnamon sticks?
½ tsp ground cinnamon per stick.

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