What Goes Into a Real Masala Chai

Here's the beautiful thing about masala chai — it's simple, but every ingredient earns its place.

Black Tea — The bold base. Assam is traditional: strong, malty, and sturdy enough to hold its own against milk and spice. Don't go weak here.

Cardamom — The soul of the cup. Floral, warm, slightly citrusy. Non-negotiable.

Ginger — Fresh is best. It brings heat, brightness, and that signature kick that wakes you right up.

Cinnamon — Warmth and sweetness, without overpowering everything else.

Cloves — Use sparingly, but don't skip them. They add depth and a gentle pepperiness.

Black Pepper — The secret weapon. Just a little. It opens everything up.

Milk — Full fat, whole milk. This is not the moment for oat milk (though we won't judge you for trying).

Sugar — Traditional chai is sweet. You can adjust, but don't pretend you don't want it.

How to Brew It Right

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup milk

• 2 tsp strong black tea (or Nectar's Masala Chai blend — already spiced, already perfect)

• 3–4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

• 1 inch fresh ginger, grated or sliced

• Sugar to taste (start with 1–2 tsp)

The Method

1. Start with water and spices. Pour the water into a small saucepan. Add your ginger, cardamom. Bring to a gentle boil and let the spices bloom for 2–3 minutes. Your kitchen should already be smelling extraordinary.

2. Add the tea. Drop in your tea leaves or blend. Let it simmer for another 2 minutes. Watch it turn deep and dark and beautiful.

3. Pour in the milk. Add your milk and bring the whole thing back up to a simmer — not a full boil. Let it bubble gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This is where the magic happens: the milk takes on the colour and character of everything around it.

4. Sweeten. Add your sugar now and stir until dissolved.

5. Strain and serve. Pour through a fine mesh strainer into your cup. Hold the pan high for a little foam — chaiwalas do this for a reason. It aerates the chai and makes every sip smoother.

6. Drink it while it's hot. Masala chai waits for no one.

The Nectar Way

We know not everyone has a spice rack full of whole cardamom and fresh ginger at 7am. That's exactly why we crafted our Masala Chai blend — every spice, perfectly balanced, ready to brew in minutes without sacrificing a single sip of authenticity.

All you need is milk, water, and a little time.

The chai does the rest.