15 min · Vegan · Drink · For beginners
Chai
In German: Persischer Tee · In English: Persian Tea
For 2 servings · US units
Persian black tea with cardamom, clear and amber in the glass
In Iran, chai belongs to everyday life, all year round: strong black tea, brewed with care and quietly scented with cracked cardamom pods. It is served in glasses, alongside sugar cubes or rock candy, raisins, dates or a piece of pastry.
Ingredients
- 1 tbspBlack tealoose leaf, e.g. Ceylon, Assam or Darjeeling
- 1⅔ cupswaterat a rolling boil, for brewing and optionally diluting
- 2cracked open, steeped with the teaGreen cardamom pods, whose small black seeds give a strong, floral, resinous aroma.Substitute: Ground cardamom will do at a pinch, about a quarter teaspoon for three or four pods, but tastes flatter; black cardamom is no substitute, as it is smoky rather than floral.Read more
- sugaras sugar cubes, rock candy (nabat) or syrup for sweetening
- 1 tspa splash when serving (optional)A watery distillate of rose petals with a strong floral scent, used by the drop or spoonful to perfume sweets, rice and drinks.Substitute: There is no true substitute, since the rose scent is the whole point. Food-grade rose extract or rose oil works but is far more concentrated and must be used by the drop; orange blossom water gives an equally floral but clearly different dish.Read more
- 1Mintfresh sprig for serving (optional)
- 1 pincha few threads steeped with the tea, or as saffron rock candy (optional)Dried stigmas of a crocus that turn food golden yellow and give it a bittersweet, floral aroma.Substitute: There is no real substitute, because the aroma is unique. Turmeric or safflower give only the colour, not the flavour; it is better to use a little less saffron than to replace it.Read more
- 2dried, brewed with the tea (optional)Dried, unopened buds of fragrant roses, used ground or whole. They taste floral, slightly tart and a little bitter.Substitute: Dried edible rose petals are the best substitute and taste nearly the same, only a little milder. Rose water brings the fragrance but neither the tart note nor the colour and texture, and it belongs in liquid preparations rather than in dry spice blends or as a garnish.Read more
- 1cinnamonsmall piece, about 2–3 cm, steeped with the tea (optional)
Method
- Bring the water to a rolling boil in a kettle.
- Meanwhile, measure out the black tea and lightly crack the cardamom pods with the back of a knife to release their fragrance. If you like, give the tea leaves a quick rinse under cold water.
- Put the tea leaves and cardamom into a warmed teapot. If you wish, add a few saffron threads, the dried rosebuds and a 2–3 cm piece of cinnamon stick.
- Pour the boiling water over the tea, holding a little hot water back for diluting later. Cover the teapot.
- Leave the tea to steep for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want it.
- Strain the tea through a fine sieve, leaving the leaves and spices behind.
- Pour the tea into tea glasses and dilute with the reserved hot water to the strength you prefer.
- Serve with sugar cubes, rock candy (nabat) or syrup; add a splash of rose water or stand a fresh sprig of mint in the glass, if you like.
Tips and variations
For a rounder, mellower tea, set the teapot on top of a pan of boiling water and let the tea steep over the steam on a very low flame for about 30 minutes in total, stirring now and then. You can also brew a strong concentrate and fill each glass a quarter to half full before topping up with hot water, so everyone decides their own strength. At its simplest, chai is nothing but tea and water; saffron, rosebuds and cinnamon make it more fragrant, and with frothed milk it becomes a latte, served warm or over ice. Set out a small bowl of dates or raisins and a piece of rock candy.
Allergens
Not every ingredient in this recipe has been checked, so nothing is promised as free from.
These notes follow from this recipe's ingredient list. Ready-made products and brands may contain further allergens — please check the packaging yourself.
Something not right?
This recipe was put together from independent sources and checked before publishing. Even so, a mistake can slip through — an amount that does not add up, a step that does not work as written. If you spot something, write to us: we will look into it and put it right.
