The Jain Ahimsa Initiative

VJ Indian Masala Chai

Kickstart your morning with VJ Indian masala chai, which will give you a similar or even better experience than your traditional Indian masala chai. Even more importantly, this tea is better for you, animals, and the planet.

Recipe by Dhanesh Kothari

VJ Indian Masala Chai
Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Cuisine
Dairy Alternative
Contains
nuts, soy

Ingredients

  • 0.6 cup Barista oat milk: 0.6 cup full (i.e., about 60% of cup capacity)
  • Special Note 1: Soy, almond, or any other barista variant will also work, as long as it provides the needed thickness and texture for Indian tea.
  • Special Note 2: Typically, plant-based or vegan milk tends to get a little watery at the top in any packaging, which gives a sub-par tea experience. Therefore, shake the package a little before taking out the milk. When you open a new package, make sure to pour out about one cup or so on the side so that the milk can mix properly.
  • 0.6 cup Water: 0.6 cup full (or more) (i.e., about 60% of cup capacity)
  • 1 tsp Assam Tea (+/-)
  • Sugar: between none and 1 tsp
  • Clove: 1
  • Cinnamon: small piece (according to taste)

Method

  1. In a thick steel pot, boil the water at heating level 7 or 8 out of 10 (10 being the highest heating level of your cooking equipment).
  2. Add Assam tea, sugar, clove, and cinnamon.
  3. As soon as the water starts bubbling (usually in about 30 seconds to 1 minute), lower the temperature to heating level 3 or 4 out of 10.
  4. Pour oat barista milk into the pot of boiling tea water.
  5. Let the entire mix brew for about 5-7 minutes, until it turns a light brownish color and shows boiling tea bubbles. Brew for 5 minutes for a lighter taste and 7 minutes for a slightly stronger taste.
  6. Pour your tea through a tea filter into a cup.
  7. Enjoy the aroma to refresh your senses.
  8. That's it. Enjoy your VJ Indian Masala Chai.

More dairy alternatives

Almond Milk

Dairy Alternatives

Almond Milk

While switching to a plant-based diet, the first alternative we often look for is a substitute for dairy or cow’s milk. Many of us are used to drinking milk daily, either on its own, as a milkshake, in tea or coffee, in desserts, or in various other dishes. The thought of “life without milk” can be overwhelming. However, today we know that we are loaded with options when it comes to plant-based milks. Let’s try homemade almond milk.

Priyanka N Jain 10 min active Plan ahead