This Authentic Pakistani Chai recipe can be prepared quickly and easily over the stovetop. With just a few ingredients that you likely have on hand, you can experience the household chai tea of Pakistan and India. Tips and tricks included for the perfect cup!
Every household is different, but the daily cup of chai the average Pakistani family drinks bears little resemblance to the chai tea latte you find at your local coffee shop.
As cliché as it sounds, chai is more than a drink. It’s a daily ritual that infuses calm and a heightened sense of the moment. It’s something I look forward to and delight in. My elixir.
And then there’s the social drinking aspect. It’s the surprise ending that follows a good meal. It says, “wait, there’s more.” More chatter, more laughter. We’re not done yet.
A few tips for the perfect cup of chai:
- Once you add the milk and raise the heat to high, remain standing overhead! If you decide to step away even for a second, the chai will take the cue and use this opportunity to boil over. If you’d rather not stand overhead, once it begins to boil, you can lower the heat to low-medium and let the chai simmer for a few minutes. Then proceed with the rest of the process.
- As I mention in the recipe, use a ladle to repeatedly scoop up and pour back the chai. This helps develop the flavor and makes it frothy.
- Some liquid will evaporate while you’re making the chai, so the amount of liquid you begin with will be more than the end amount.
- I’ve given the ratio of 1 1/2 teaspoon of tea leaves (or 2 teabags) for 2 small cups (8 oz), but you can adjust to taste depending on the type of tea. Like with any drink, you’ll discover your preferences over time.
If you try it, please let me know in the comments, tag me on Instagram, or simply message me! I’d love to hear your feedback. Thank you!
If you enjoy this, check out my authentic turmeric milk or plain lassi (with a secret ingredient)!
Authentic Pakistani Chai
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup* reduced-fat or whole milk whole milk will result in a slightly richer, creamier chai
- 1 1/2 tsp loose tea-leaves or 2 black teabags (I use Tapal Danedar) or more to taste
- 1-2 cardamom pods slightly broken or a pinch of cardamom powder (optional)
- sweetener to taste
Instructions
- Place water in a saucepan over high heat. Once it comes to a boil, add tea-leaves or tea bag and cardamom. Reduce the heat to medium and gently allow this to simmer for a minute or two.
- Add the milk and raise the heat back to high.
- As it begins to boil, the chai will rise in the saucepan. Remove the pan from heat before it reaches the top of the saucepan. Do this a few times to really develop the flavor while using a ladle to scoop and pour back the chai. Side story time! In a 2009 trip to Pakistan, we stopped for some chai at a tea stall on the way to Nathia Gali. The place was heavenly but that chai was unforgettable. Luckily I had observed the process – I remember the chai wala (tea vendor) used a ladle to repeatedly scoop up and pour back the chai. I’ve tried this technique and can attest that it does enhance the flavor. Try it!
- Pour this chai through a small sieve into your favorite cups and sweeten using sugar or honey.
Notes
Enjoy!
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Great technique! I always add a teaspoon of fennel seeds and a small stick of cinnamon to the tea. Perfect.
I’ve tried the cinnamon but not the fennel. sounds delicious!
I grew up in a family of coffee drinkers and could never develop a genuine taste for tea until I traveled to Pakistan and drank tea made this way. When I returned to the U.S. I tried to recreate it but failed until I found this recipe. I followed your instructions and it was delicious, exactly how I remember it in both look and taste. Thank you!
So glad to hear that. You are very welcome, Kim!
Wonderful! I was watching the HBO documentary “The Case For Adnan Sayed’ and I kept seeing Pakistani fanilies making tea on the range in a saucepan and never seen that before. Obviously I’ve never had tea like this but it looked so delicious and the more scenes they showed the more I wanted to try it. I followed your directions to the T and let it boil up three times while ladling and it came out so thick and creamy, exactly how I thought it would taste the best to me. I used three chai tea bags because I do like a stronger tea, and then added a local dark honey when serving. Will definitely be doing again, thank you for sharing!
Yum! You’ve got me craving a cup now too! I’m so glad you tried & enjoyed it. I love having it with local honey too! Thanks so much for the review!
Do you have any suggestions for the best brand of Cardamon pods?
Look for the ones that are plump and green and don’t look dried out! I know Simply Organic has wonderful ones.
Just got back from Pakistan and was hankering for a cup and this simple recipe hit the spot! Tastes just like the 4-5 daily cups I’d have in the office there 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
SO glad to hear that, Kenny! Thank you for your review 🙂
Delicious. Husband and mother in law approved. Thank you for sharing.
Glad to hear that, Missy!! Thank you very much for your review!! 🙂
Hi, hope you’re okay.. thanks for the great recipe. I’m just a bit confused about one aspect and hoping you can help.. if i’m making chai for two people, will i need two tea bags? And chai for three people will need three tea bags and so on? How do we adjust the tea bags to the amount of cups we will be making? Thanks in advance x
You’re welcome, Sonia! With my particular tea bags, one tea bag for one measurement cup is a bit too strong for me. If you’re using a larger mug (about 1 1/3 cups), then 2 tea bags for 2 mugs would, 3 for 3, etc would work. If you’re making a batch of smaller teacups, try adding fewer tea bags at first, and add 1 or 2 later when you add the milk to increase strength. Hope that helps!
It does, thank you so much!
Great recipe
Thank you!
Yay loved this! Question-if we are estimating the water/milk and overdo the water, do we let it simmer a little longer with the cardamom and tea?
Thank you, Nimrah! Yes, that’s what I always do!
I first made a recipe from YouTube which involved putting the milk and water first, and then adding the chai. It tasted so bad I had to throw it out.
I then made this recipe and it turned out just like Pakistani chai. I just spent the last six weeks in Pakistan so I know the taste perfectly. This method did take longer, but I am happy with the result.
Thank you, Sidra! I’m so happy you liked it! Yup, this is the way most Pakistani make it. 🙂
I was so exhausted today and really needed a pick-me-up. This chai really hit the spot! So soothing and comforting. Full marks!
I’m so glad to hear that!! That’s exactly what I was aiming for. Thank you, Rebecca!