Chai for Change
Learn how you can advance justice in your communities and how to make a mean cup of masala chai. If you’re passionate about progressive change, this is just your cup of tea!
LA Forward Executive Director David Levitus discusses the key role that Los Angeles can play in leading the nation in enacting progressive policies.
Community Kitchen Founder Zach Marks and Tala CEO Shivani Siroya teach us a recipe for sweet, spicy masala chai that will perk you up to push for change.
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Ingredients
6 cups water
4 cups milk (whole, oat or almond)
¼ cup grated fresh ginger root (~3 inch piece)
½ tsp cardamom (~10 green cardamom pods, crushed)
¼ tsp black pepper (~10 peppercorns, crushed)
¼ tsp cloves (~8 cloves)
4 cinnamon sticks
4 tbsp black tea leaves (or 4 black tea bags)
4 tsp sugar, or to taste
Recipe
Boil ginger in water for 10 min (the longer you boil, the spicier it gets!)
Add the crushed spices (cardamom, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon). Boil for another 10 min. By then, the 6 cups of water will have boiled down to ~4 cups.
Turn off heat so it stops boiling. Add black tea. Let sit for 3 min.
Add milk. You want a 50/50 water/milk ratio, or can adjust if you like it thinner or thicker.
Turn on heat and bring to simmer for 10 min. Bring back to boil one final time to ensure the flavors are all mixed through.
Strain into a serving pot or directly into chai cups (or glasses if you want to feel like you're on the streets of Mumbai). Add a spoonful of sugar to each cup before serving.
Shopping List
1. Fresh ginger. We’ll grate it and boil it to make a nice spicy brew along with…
2. Spices. Black peppercorns; green cardamom pods; cinnamon sticks; cloves. We’ll crush all those up and put them in along with the ginger! That’s what gives the masala its name!
3. Black tea. Ideally you'll have a box of loose black CTC tea from an Indian brand like Taj Mahal, which you can find at any Indian grocer. Otherwise, any loose leaf black tea or even black tea bags will do. Just not flavored or earl grey since that change the flavor of the chai, and green will be too weak to stand up to the spices.
4. Milk. The classic recipe would call for whole milk but you can use oat, almond or soy milk if you prefer! You just want something a little creamy so avoid skim or nonfat if you can.
5. Sugar. Roadside chai in India is loaded with sugar and you need some sweetness to highlight the flavors of the spices. Feel free to use less or even experiment with honey or other sweeteners.
BONUS. Biscuits. The best way to enjoy a cup of chai is by dipping a biscuit in it. Head to your local Indian grocer and see if you can find Parle G biscuits, the essential chai companion!
6-minute highlight above. Full recording below:
