How to make authentic delicious Karak tea / chai at home
Been searching for an authentic Karak tea recipe? This is the perfect recipe which I tweaked all the spices personally until I got it to taste just like the tea shop I always bought it from.
Karak chai tea is a hugely popular across the Arabian Gulf, in particular those that had influence from India. So even if you’re not able to travel, this is the perfect Karak Chai recipe to bring a little bit of the Arabian Gulf into your home.
The recipe is super simple and easy! But don’t blame me if you get addicted to this delicious tea!
It can be hard to find good Karak recipes and often those in the region like to keep their exact spice blend secret! But don’t worry, after years of drinking Karak chai and experimenting, here is my personal recipe that makes absolutely perfect karak chai every time!
Karak spice variations
For me, I like my Karak chai to be on the “spicier’ side or more closely resembling Indian Masala tea from India.
I’ve found it in places like Oman and the northern parts of the UAE, such as Ras Al Khaimah they tend to have more spices. Which is where I became a big fan of the tea!
Whereas Dubai and places like Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, the Karak chai is often lighter on the spices and more like a sugary milky tea. Called a Disco Chai in India!
So this recipe is based on the spicer version! Spice as in spices, not as in hot!
What kitchenware and utensils do I need?
Karak doesn’t need many items at all, I use the following:
– A large saucepan
– Heat resistant spoon for stirring
– Tea strainer or fine mesh sieve
– Spice grinder or pestle & mortar (optional)
It’s a matter of preference, I personally just put whole spices if I’m feeling lazy but it won’t be as strong tasting and you may need to let it brew or sit for longer. You can pop them in the milk the night before to really infuse.
If you’re making it in a hurry, crushing the spices first is the perfect way to help fully release the flavour quickly.
One of my favourite brands for saucepans and cookware is Le Creuset, as they are very high quality and come with a lifetime guarantee. Also, their cast iron items don’t have any nasty none stick chemicals!
If you don’t have a spice grinder
Grinding all the spices will really bring out the flavour of the spices much more quickly and stronger.
No need to de-seed the cardamom pods, just grind the whole thing and will only take 2 minutes in an electrical grinder or mixer.
If you choose not to bring the spices, it’s best to do it the day before to really let the flavours infuse. Also you should press the cardamom pods a little so the pods have small cracks.
Recipe alternatives
There are so many ways you can experiment with your Karak chai recipe until you find the perfect blend for your tastes. You can add less cardamom or more cinnamon to the water and evaporated milk.
With traditional Indian Masala Chai they typically add either ground ginger or a small amount of fresh ginger. However, personally I don’t like it with ginger.
It’s very popular in the Middle East to add a pinch of saffron to the mixture and does make it look quite pretty when serving it to guests.
Additionally, you can add more milk and sugar too to make it weaker or sweeter. I don’t like it too sweet but the spices do make it bitter, so I find 1-2 teaspoons of sugar are the perfect amount for me.
You can also use dairy alternative milk instead to make it vegan or reduce the saturated fat. Along with changing the sugar or honey for stevia.
What is Karak tea and where did it come from?
The recipe is originally based from the popular street drink Masala Chai. It’s a strong black traditional tea with different spice mixes and evaporated milk added to make a deliciously addictive drink.
In the United Arab Emirates, you’ll find many Emirati houses serving this popular drink in the mornings and whenever guests come to visit.
This also means different households have slightly different takes on what spices they add to the tea and keep their exact spice mix a closely guarded secret.
You’ll also find lots of traditional tea houses serving it across the gulf.
What is the difference between Karak and Chai tea?
If you mean a Chai Tea Latte:
Karak chai and Chai tea share many similarities in terms of taste and preparation. Both are spiced tea made with a base of black tea, which is brewed with a blend of aromatic spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
For Chai Latte, it is then mixed with a large amount of steamed milk and sweetened with sugar or honey to create a much more frothy and lighter drink.
Versus Karak chai which uses evaporated milk, and longer brewing time which allows the flavours to come through for a stronger for a strong tea.
Both offer a comforting warmth with their bold flavours and cultural significance that have made them beloved around the world! Savouring the rich traditions of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
What is Kadak chai?
Kadak chai is the same as Karak Chai, just that some Middle East countries call it Kadak chai instead. A fragrant spice and black tea hot drink.
Is Karak chai healthy?
Karak chai, like any other beverage, can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. It is made with black tea and spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves that are known for their potential health benefits.
Black tea contains antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and some types of cancer. The spices used in karak chai have also been linked to potential health benefits such as improved digestion and reduced inflammation.
However, it is important to keep in mind that karak chai is often sweetened with sugar or honey and made with evaporated milk which can add calories and fat to the drink.
If you are watching your calorie or sugar intake, it may be best to enjoy karak chai in moderation or opt for a lighter version with a sugar alternative and lower-fat milk.
Karak Tea Recipe
I hope you enjoy this recipe and you can rate it in the comment section below!
Karak Tea
Equipment
- 1 large sauce pan
- 1 heat resistant spoon
- 1 tea strainer or fine mesh sieve
- 1 spice grinder or pestle & mortar (optional)
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 tin evaporated milk (170 g)
- 4 tsp loose black tea (or 2 strong black tea bags)
- 1/2 a cinnamon stick (or 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder)
- 1/2 tsp whole cloves
- 1 piece star anise
- 10 cardamom pods
- honey or sugar (to sweeten to your taste)
Instructions
- Pour the water and add evaporated milk into the pan
- Turn to a medium high heat and bring to the boil
- As it's starting to warm, grind the spices and add to the pan
- Add the black tea
- Stir until it starts to bubble
- Once it starts bubbling, let it boil for 1 – 2 minutes before turning the heat down
- On a low heat, let it simmer for 10 minutes until it goes a dark caramel brown colour
- Turn off the heat
- Pour through the strainer into a cup
- Add sugar or honey to the cup, depending on how sweet your like your karak
Notes
More Arabian Gulf recipes
What more popular Gulf recipes? (More coming soon! Subscribe to my e-mail list for updates)
Simple but yummy Mahalabia (Arabic Milk Pudding)
Easy Luqaimat recipe plus make your own Luqaimat machine!
Tasty and comforting Chicken Thareed (Saloona / Stew)
Check out my other Khaleeji Recipes here
Want to learn more about Middle Eastern food and where to eat them in Dubai?
What is the traditional food of the UAE?
9 tasty Arabic desserts you must try
Now you know how to make Karak chai at home! I really hope you enjoy the recipe and let me know how you get on with it in the comments. I’m always adding different recipes from the Middle East onto my blog around information for helping people visit or move to Dubai!
I also sometimes go live on TikTok while I try different Middle Eastern recipes and if you try the recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Great recipe. I didn’t have any black tea bags on hand so I used some black loose leaf tea with bergamot and vanilla. I did not grind the spices, but it seemed to infuse pretty well after about 90 minutes. I used creamed raw honey to sweeten. Super easy, thanks so much for posting!
Yeah black loose tea is also fine and actually is the traditional way to do it! Those spices sound lovely to add to the flavours. It’s fun to play around with and make your own style karak. I like to use tea bags as it’s less messy when pouring out