Mumbai cutting chai is a strong tea made with Assam tea powder or black tea powder, milk, sugar and spices like ginger and cardamom.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 2 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes
  • Total time: 17 minutes
  • Yield: 3
  • Category: Beverages
  • Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of water (or 500 ml water)
  • 2 teaspoons assam tea powder (or tea leaves)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoon sugar (or add as required)
  • ¼ to ½ cup milk (or add as required)
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • ½ teaspoon green cardamom powder

Method

Preparation

  1. Peel and grate the ginger and keep aside.
  2. Crush 2 to 3 green cardamoms in a mortar-pestle and keep aside.

Preparing Cutting Chai

  1. Heat water in a vessel or pan with a handle or a saucepan.
  2. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar.
  3. Now add the grated ginger. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.
  4. Then add the crushed cardamom powder. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes more.
  5. Then add 2 teaspoons of Assam tea powder or black tea powder.
  6. Brew the tea on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
  7. Pour ¼ to ½ cup of milk. If you like strong tea then add ¼ cup of milk if you like more milk then add ½ cup of milk.
  8. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes or until the tea comes to a boil on medium heat.
  9. Switch off the heat. Strain the tea on a mesh strainer. Pour into glasses or cups.
  10. Serve cutting chai hot along with your favorite tea time snacks.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.