Authentic Chai Spice Mix – 5 Mins
The recipe for an authentic chai spice mix includes several common Indian spices. This chai mix is the basis for chai tea. Use it to make a hot or cold chai latte, or use it to flavor your favorite baked goods like chai latte cake.
Chai spice is a very popular spice mix, and yet, you won’t get any two identical. All around the world, you will find many variations.
While they will all have similar ingredients, the quantity of each spice used will vary. Often, the Indian brands will have ground ginger and ground cardamom as the dominant flavor, while in the US, you will have cinnamon as the most dominant flavor. That is why when you buy the chai spice latte from Starbucks, it often feels like a cinnamon chai latte rather than a chai latte.
Spices are about finding that balance, which is why I like to make all my spice mixes at home. My mom was known to make her own, and luckily, I got her good genes. This chai spice is a universal blend; I think you will love it very much.
Why make this spice mix
- Chai spices are readily available to buy, but the best chai spice recipe takes minimal effort and yields maximum flavor.
- There are five main spices in this chai spice mix: ground ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. I like to add a dash of pepper as well.
- As you can see, I make small batches. Why? Well, spices, once ground, should not be kept around for too long. This recipe makes a little over a 1/3 cup and has a shelf life of about 3 months. So, unless you plan to give these as gifts to people (which I often do), I highly recommend you make a small batch.
- This is such a versatile spice blend. The most common, of course, is to make a hot chai spice latte or an iced chai spice latte. Also, I love using chai instead of pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice in my baked goods. Have you tried my chai latte cake yet?
Step-by-step: Chai spice mix
- From powders – In a small bowl, combine all the powdered spices well. Use a small whisk to combine everything well.
- From whole spices – Place all the whole and powdered spices in a spice grinder. Then, pulse it a few times until finely ground.
- Storage – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Pro tip – This can last 3 months, but check the date on the individual spices used to make sure they all have at least 3 months of shelf life.
Benefits of chai
Chai tea is gaining in popularity for its health benefits. Growing up, I was told that:
- Chai is a wonderful antioxidant.
- In addition, it helps boost metabolism, encouraging weight loss.
- It is made with wonderful spices such as cinnamon and cardamom that are known to have many health benefits.
- Also, cardamom spice is said to help boost the immune system.
- Black tea has heart-healthy benefits, too.
- Most Indian meals end with chai because it is said to help reduce bloating.
- As a teenager, every time I had my period, my mom would give me chai to help with the cramps.
- To me, it’s always been the perfect drink to relieve stress.
Frequently asked questions
Chai contains many wonderful ingredients, including spices with many health benefits. But it also contains black tea, which does have caffeine like any other tea.
Well, chai also contains tannin, which reduces the rate at which caffeine is absorbed into our system. So instead of caffeine giving a burst of energy, it helps relax and calm, which helps you fall asleep.
Every brand you buy will have a different combination of spices. Some with more cardamom, while some with additional cinnamon. However, authentic chai spice like this one is the perfect blend of all the spices.
Authentic Chai Spice Mix – 5 Mins
This chai spice mix is the perfect blend of ground ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and a few other spices. Use it to make a hot or cold chai latte, or use it to flavor your favorite baked goods like chai latte cake.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Ground ginger
- 2 tbsp Cardamom
- 2 tbsp Cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp Ground cloves
- 1 tsp Nutmeg
- ½ tsp Black pepper powder
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 2 tbsp Ground ginger
- 10 Cardamoms whole
- 3 inches Cinnamon stick broken into smaller pieces
- 10 Cloves
- 1 tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
- 10 Allspice whole
- 5 Black peppercorns
Method
- Place all the whole and powdered spices in a spice grinder. Pulse it a few times until finely ground.2 tbsp Ground ginger, 10 Cardamoms, 3 inches Cinnamon stick, 10 Cloves, 1 tsp Nutmeg, 10 Allspice, 5 Black peppercorns
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Use 1 tsp per cup of chai or 3 tbsp per pot of chaiPro tip – This can last up to 3 months, but check the expiration dates on the individual spices used to ensure they all have at least 3 months of shelf life.
Notes
- Always store in an airtight jar to ensure the flavor of the spices is sealed in well.
- Ideally, these spices have a long shelf life. And yet, it’s best to make a note on the jar so you know when it’s time to make a new batch.
- Read the expiry date on the powders you used – choose the one with the earliest date as a guide.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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While I really appreciate the effort in showing how to make this, it didn’t have a very strong flavor using 1 tsp of the mix. I have yet to try more but I do prefer a very strong spice flavoring for my chai.
Sara, everybody has a preference – some like it light while others like it strong. You can adjust per taste.
Also, you don’t spice chai the same as curry!
1 tsp per cup when accompanied with fresh ginger is plenty already. But feel free to up the spices.
I made the spices but you didn’t say how much to actually make it. Water? Milk? Tea? Ginger? Spice mix? Etc.
can you send that?
Hey Heather, yes, the recipe says – Use 1 tsp per cup of chai or 3 tbsp per pot of chai.
Hope that helps. Have a great day.
Hi
In this Chai Spice recipe, what is a “serving size”, e.g. a teaspoon, 2 teaspoons, etc. Let me know.
Best,
Hey Kari. Depending on how strong you want your chai – I’d say you can use 1 tsp for a light flavor or 1 1/2 tsp for stronger flavor. I use about 3 tbsp for a whole pot. Thanks
This is the first time I have made chai spice mix at home and it turned out perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Thank you. Cyndy. I am so happy you enjoyed it.
I always buy my chai spice mix from the store so this will come in handy the next time I’m in the mood for chai. Thank you so much!!!
You are welcome Charla. Thanks
Wow! Turned out I have all the spices to prepare my own chai mix. I’m going to make plenty of chai latte from now on. 🙂
I am so happy to hear that, Anita. Thanks
Now I know why chai tastes different from different places. I really like that this is a small portion.
Yes, Andrea. I am happy I could solve that for you. I hope you try this one.
This sounds like such a perfect blend. I love putting spice mixes together so will definitely be trying this.
Thank you, Bintu
This chai spice mix brought me back to having chai at my grandparents house in India!! It turned out perfectly, and made making chai at home so much easier!
Thank you, Anjali. I am so happy to hear that.
Veena, I have a silly question. I usually make chai using whole spices and a pestle and mortar. So the cinnamon stick is bashed but not powdered. When I tried powdering whole sticks for this kid. The chai turned out gummy. How do I fix this?
Well, you can use a spice grinder to grind the whole spices. But, you can also use cinnamon powder instead of whole cinnamon. Alternatively, you can strain the chai before you serve. I hope that makes sense. Please feel free to ask again.
You don’t tell how much water, milk, ginger, sugar or tea powder for one serving or for a pot when you add the chai powder. Would you please complete your recipe?
Anne, yes, this is the recipe for the chai spice mix – there are many ways to use the chai spice mix – in chai, cakes, cookies, desserts etc. I have shared the
chai spice latte and
iced chai spice latte
Pumpkin chai latte
Chai latte cake recipe
I love this spice mix!! I have got to try to make this, thanks for the recipe!! Bookmarked for later 🙂
Thank you, Cathleen