Make time for a fragrant cup of spiced chai on a winter afternoon. Whether you prefer the convenience of a spice blend or want to explore individual aromas, start with tea and choose the spices that suit your taste.

This is a guide to choosing ingredients, not a fixed recipe or an instant drink mix. Follow a suitable chai recipe or the product's preparation instructions for quantities and brewing times. Milk, water and sweetener may be needed separately.

Start with Assam CTC Tea

Assam CTC is a black tea with a robust flavour that works well with milk and spices. Use it as the tea base for either of the approaches below. Adjust the strength according to your chosen recipe and preferences.

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Option One: Keep It Simple with Tea Masala

If you would rather not buy several individual spices, choose a tea masala blend to add spice aroma to your tea. It is a convenient starting point for exploring masala chai.

Tea Masala 50g is a spice product used with tea, not a complete instant chai drink. Prepare your tea with the other ingredients required by your recipe, and follow the product instructions or a suitable recipe for how much spice blend to add.

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Option Two: Choose Your Own Spice Aromas

You do not need to use every spice below. Begin with a recipe that features one aroma you enjoy, then explore other combinations over time. These individual spices are an alternative to choosing a blend, not a list of extras you must add to tea masala.

Green Cardamom: Fresh and Fragrant

Green cardamom brings a fresh, floral aroma to chai. The whole pods contain aromatic seeds. Lightly crush them if your recipe calls for it, then strain the prepared drink before serving.

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Cinnamon Sticks: Sweet Aromatic Warmth

Cinnamon sticks lend a warm, sweet aroma as they infuse. This product is cassia cinnamon. Use the small amount specified in your recipe, and remove the pieces or strain before serving.

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Whole Cloves: A Small, Intense Accent

Cloves have a strong aroma that can easily dominate other flavours. Use sparingly according to your recipe, and strain out the whole cloves before drinking.

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Whole Spices or Powder?

Whole spices infuse into the drink and can be removed with a suitable strainer. Ground spices mix in readily, but do not fully dissolve: fine particles may remain in the cup even after straining. Choose the form your recipe specifies and the texture you prefer.

Cardamom powder is another option if your recipe calls for ground cardamom. Do not assume the same quantity of whole and ground spices will give the same result.

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Pair Your Chai with a Winter Treat

A cup of chai can accompany cookies, fruit-filled baking or a simple afternoon snack. If both your drink and your baking contain spices, try a gentler spice combination in the chai so you can enjoy each aroma.

For those planning homemade Christmas baking, our Stollen-inspired ingredient guide introduces spices, raisins and almonds.

Explore our Stollen-inspired baking ingredient guide

Choose What You Need, Not Everything

Start with tea and either a tea masala blend or the individual spices in your chosen recipe. You can enjoy a simpler cup without buying every product on this page.

These are individual ingredients, not a complete chai kit. Check each product's packaging for ingredients, storage and preparation information. Black tea contains caffeine. Serve hot drinks carefully, and do not leave a pan of milk unattended while heating.