NUSFOLIO
  • Home
  • About Nusrat
  • SERVICES
    • Wedding + Events
    • Interior Styling + Decor
    • Photography
  • Portfolio
    • Weddings + Editorials
    • Styling and Creative Direction
    • Family Photography
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SHOP
    • Liketoknow.it Shop
    • Personalized Wedding Shop

How To Make Loose Tea: Cha Tea Recipe

3/13/2017

4 Comments

 

My Potion: Love in a cup

Hi! Did you think I forgot about you? Of course not! I know... I need to post more, but life and work caught up. But, I am here now and would love to share a cup of tea with you. What is that one thing you crave every morning? One thing without which you can't function? The older I am getting, the more dependent I'm becoming on my caffeine fix. I'd never thought that it would happen to me. And yet... here I am. ​
Recipe: How to Make Loose Leaf Tea
How to Make Indian Chai Tea
How to Make Loose Leaf Tea
My love for cha or chai tea knows no bounds - black tea with milk, to be precise. My tea kettle has started to show slight scars of being overworked. I grew up on my parents' home-cooked, loose leaf tea, Doodh Cha, and it was a must-have every morning after breakfast and once every evening around snack-time. I didn’t realize I was dependent on it until later in my adult life. In fact, there was a time I used to wonder why people would say they can’t function without coffee every morning, because I can - just not without my tea. I love the authentic South Asian Doodh-Cha (black tea with milk). Now you might wonder, what’s in this tea that’s so special, or searching on Google for how to make cha or chai tea?​ Well, wander no more. Here's your answer. Nothing out of the ordinary really, but it does have its own recipe - the slightest change of which makes a noticeable difference, especially to a regular tea drinker like myself. Without further ado, I present to you my love potion. ​
Chai Recipe: How to Make Loose Leaf Tea

Teapot

I use a stovetop, stainless steel teapot for the gas stove. Mine doesn't whistle. If you prefer a whistling tea kettle, there are various options out there, and some tea kettles are made for all stovetops. Stainless steel makes it rust resistant, and you can simply put the kettle in the dishwasher for a thorough clean-up. You can hand-wash it as well, but it's harder to take off the tea stain that way. But see, I don't mind doing a little extra work to get my tea fix and sometimes even use a small, stovetop pot for a single serving. 

Recipe

 Serving Size: 2 people
Tea Ingredients: Milk, Water, Sugar, Loose Leaf Tea
Black Tea Beverage
​I always start with the milk. One cup of milk mixed in with one cup of water. ​​​Regardless of serving size, always add one extra cup of water to allow for evaporation. ​
Cha Tea Recipe: How to Make Indian Tea
Now that the water and milk is in the tea pot. Turn on the stove and set the heat to medium low. Let it cook for seven to eight mins until it comes to a boil. ​
How to Make Chai Tea Recipe Using Loose Leaf Tea
As it begins to boil over, bring it down to simmer for another five minutes. ​
Chai Tea Recipe: How to Make Indian Tea
How to Make Indian Tea
Add in one tablespoon of tea leaves and four teaspoons of sugar (2 for each cup). 
How to Make Indian Tea - Chai Tea Recipe
I like extra sugar so adjust to your preference. Stir the mixture. Let it boil for 7-8 mins or until you see the liquid turning brown. If you like it stronger, just let it cook a little longer... until you see a darker brown. 
How to Make Chai Tea
How to Make Loose Leaf Tea - Recipe
Using a stainless steel fine mesh strainer, pour the tea in your favorite tea cup.
Chai Latte Tea Recipe using loose leaf tea
Cha Tea Recipe: How to Make Indian Tea
While the tea is cooling down, take a moment to breathe in the aroma of your freshly brewed tea. Wala... Enjoy!
Loose Leaf Chai Tea Recipe
Chai Tea Recipe: How to Make South Asian Tea
Now you know what my morning routine entails, and have also learned how to make the best cha *wink* But one question remained unanswered. You might still be wondering "I know the recipe, but what tea leaves do I use?" ​
Tea Leaves
I personally use the Wagh Bakri international premium blend black tea, and I couldn't rave about them enough even if I tried (This opinion is not sponsored. I'm just absolutely in love with this tea brand and quality, because nothing else compared!) The first time my dad bought one of the packets from the local indian store decades ago, I've been hooked ever since.

Care to share with me your morning routine or your favorite caffeine fix? I would love to hear all about it. Thank you so much for reading. I have some exciting news coming up and I can not wait to share it with you soon. Until then, stay toasty!

To support Nusfolio blogs:
  • Spread the love to your friends and family by sharing this post and recipe. I'd be honored!
  • Shop directly through the links in the blog post
​

Shop the post



Creative Direction: Nusfolio
Photography:
Michelle Whitley
This post was first published in March, 2017 and has been updated since then.

4 Comments
Carolina
3/13/2017 11:31:15 pm

I am always afraid to make cha but now I have a step by step thing and I will actually try this. I am so excited to hear about your new news!

Reply
Nusrat
3/14/2017 12:18:25 am

Hi Carolina! Don't be afraid. It's the most easiest thing to make! Just make sure to not let it overflow when it's boiling over. I do this all the time! So, don't panic if it does happen.

As always, thank you for your support and your voice!

Reply
Sri
10/11/2020 11:58:35 am

Hi,
Thank you for your blog. I am searching for how to make chai in kettle since long. But mine is electric stove and i am searching which kettle to buy. I have few questions
1. After adding tea powder should we keep lid open??
2. When can we add spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger??
3. And can we add any milk??

Thank you

Reply
Ivy Peck link
12/6/2020 11:19:55 pm

Lovely bllog you have

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Wedding Planner - Washington, DC
    Picture
    Picture


    ​

    Welcome! I'm Nusrat, a design-obsessed wedding + event planner and stylist, who's inspired by life's simplest pleasures, fashion, and decor. Welcome to my blog for all things pretty!

    If you enjoy lifestyle posts, event planning, entertaining, styling, and wedding inspiration, you'll feel right at home here! I share with you my creative and curated projects and interests to hopefully inspire you, connect with you, and feed your visual taste buds! The posts are intended to promote creativity, slow + meaningful living, and party planning.

    I'm learning and growing everyday and love to share things with you as I discover them.
     

    ​
    Come sit with me for a cup of life!

    GET TO KNOW ME MORE

    Let's get social!


    Popular BLOG Posts

    Nusfolio Cha Recipe
    Valentine's Day Love
    Picture
    How to Style a Refurbished Console Table

    BAcK TO BLOGS


    My Go-To Shops:

    Blog posts sometimes have affiliate links that help support this site

    Target

    AMAZON
    NORDSTROM -Designer clearance: up to 60% OFF top collections
    Topshop  US
    philosophy
    CLICK.BUY. CREATE. Shop Michaels.com today!

HOME

ABOUT

SERVICES

PORTFOLIO

CONTACT

BLOG


Nusfolio Featured on The Perfect Palette
Picture
Nusfolio Featured on the Wedding Chicks


​Contact
240-422-3391
Email


​Copyright © Nusfolio LLC Events and Styling 2021
​All Rights Reserved

​​Let's Get Social 
  • Home
  • About Nusrat
  • SERVICES
    • Wedding + Events
    • Interior Styling + Decor
    • Photography
  • Portfolio
    • Weddings + Editorials
    • Styling and Creative Direction
    • Family Photography
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • SHOP
    • Liketoknow.it Shop
    • Personalized Wedding Shop