Karak chai is a style of masala chai that translates from Hindi to “strong tea.” It’s rich and creamy thanks to evaporated milk and is usually made with fewer spices than masala chai. Recipes vary family to family and some may include saffron. This version is adapted from my cookbook, Let's Eat. —Zaynab Issa
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What you’ll need
Medium Pot with Lid
$160 $150 At Amazon
Small Sieve
$10 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
6 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a medium pot or tea kettle. Add tea bags, cardamom, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract and return to a boil. Stir in evaporated milk and return to a boil again, watching carefully to ensure the tea doesn’t boil over. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thick, creamy, and caramel in color, about 30 minutes. (The longer the tea simmers the stronger and creamier it will be.)
Step 2
Strain tea through a fine-mesh sieve into mugs; discard spices and tea bags.
