Masala Chai Recipe – Bulk Spice Blend

This bulk masala chai recipe makes enough spiced tea blend to last for months, which is perfect if you drink chai on the regular 🙋🏼‍♀️ or want to make gifts. The spice proportions follow traditional Indian recipes, so you get the authentic flavor rather than the watered-down versions often found in stores. The recipe utilizes six whole spices to craft a well-balanced chai, and I’ve included a complimentary printable gift tag with complete brewing instructions to make gift-giving effortless.

I’m including two different tea-to-spice ratios so you can choose the one that works best for your taste. The spice-forward version utilizes a 1:1 ratio of tea to spices, resulting in bold, spicy flavors. The balanced version uses more tea (3:1 ratio) for a mellower blend that’s good for everyday drinking. Both work well; it just depends on how intense you like your chai. And, if you’d like caffeine-free chai, use decaffeinated tea or leave the tea out altogether, which is what I do. I keep a jar of both (one with tea and one without) in case I just need a warming drink in the evening.

Making chai in bulk is convenient, and when stored correctly in airtight containers, the blend maintains its flavor well for months. You’ll have homemade chai ready whenever you want it, and it’s much more economical than buying individual servings. The printable gift tags make this blend perfect for holiday gifts or housewarming presents. Attach the tag to a jar, and recipients will have everything they need to brew the perfect cup using the traditional boiling method included on the tag.

About the Spices and Flavor Profile

This Masala chai recipe uses six traditional whole spices that each contribute distinct flavor notes: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Dried Ginger, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, and Cloves.

Cardamom is the star here—it’s floral, slightly citrusy, and provides that signature chai aroma. The cinnamon adds warmth and natural sweetness, while cloves bring a bold spice that balances the blend’s other elements. Dried ginger provides heat and sharpness, creating the warming sensation chai is known for.

The nutmeg adds a subtle nuttiness and depth, while black pepper may surprise some people, as it’s often left out of Western chai recipes. The pepper doesn’t make the chai “hot” but adds a gentle warmth that rounds out the other spices beautifully. Together, these six spices create a complex flavor profile that’s warming, aromatic, and well-balanced – not dominated by any single spice.

When brewed, this blend produces a chai that’s fragrant and full-bodied, with layers of flavor that develop as you drink. The initial sip brings the cardamom and cinnamon forward, followed by the warming notes of ginger and pepper, with the cloves and nutmeg providing depth in the background.

Choosing Your Tea

The type of black tea you use makes a real difference in your chai. Assam black tea is the traditional choice in India because of its robust, malty flavor, which stands up well to strong spices. It creates a full-bodied chai with depth. Ceylon tea is another good option with a slightly lighter, more brisk character. Darjeeling tea, while also grown in India, is more delicate and floral – it can work in chai, but the subtle tea flavors may get lost behind the bold spices. If you can’t find Assam or Ceylon, a strong English Breakfast blend works fine. Whatever you choose, look for loose-leaf tea rather than tea bags when possible – the flavor is noticeably better and the leaves infuse more thoroughly during boiling.

While black tea is traditional, you can experiment with green tea if you prefer a lighter caffeine content or a different flavor profile. Green tea will create a more delicate chai, with the spices more pronounced, since the tea flavor is milder. If you go this route, reduce the boiling time to prevent bitterness, and use slightly less of the spice blend, since green tea won’t balance strong spices as well as black tea does. Rooibos tea is another caffeine-free alternative that works well with these warming spices.

Tips for Success

Spice Preparation

• Use whole spices whenever possible – Pre-ground spices lose their potency quickly and won’t create the complex flavor layers you want
• Toast whole spices lightly in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before grinding to intensify flavors (optional but recommended)
• Grind in small batches – Your spice grinder or blender will work more efficiently and create a more uniform blend.

Storage and Freshness

• Store in airtight containers away from light and heat – mason jars or vacuum-sealed bags work perfectly.
• Label with the blend ratio you chose (spice-forward or balanced) so you remember which version you made.
• Use within 12-18 months for the best flavor, though the blend remains safe to use much longer.

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Chai

• Use two teaspoons of blend per 8 ounces of water for standard strength
• Boil the spices – Bring water to a boil, add the chai masala, and boil for 3 minutes to extract the spice flavors
• Bring the milk to a rolling boil – After adding milk, bring to a full rolling boil before turning off the heat. This creates the creamy texture and integrates the milk with the spiced tea for authentic kadak chai. Watch carefully, as milk can boil over quickly.
• Strain before serving to remove the whole spices, then add sweetener to taste.

Gifting Jars of Masala Chai

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Print the tags and attach them to jars of Masala Chai for a welcome gift for tea drinkers. The reverse side of the tag shares instructions for making a cup of chai.

• Access the labels PDF here.
• I recommend using a nice, heavy cardstock to print the labels.
• This is a two-page, two-sided PDF, so make sure your printer is set to print front and back, flipping the sheets on the long edge.

• Cut along the lines on the back of the gift tags.
• Punch a hole relative to the text on the back, so that you don’t punch through any of the text.
• Tie the labels onto jars of Masala Chai. I used these jars.

Other Gifts From the Kitchen

If you enjoy making gifts from your kitchen like this masala chai blend, you’ll find plenty more ideas here at Nourish and Nestle. Sweet and savory nuts are always popular – try these Bourbon Pecans with their rich buttery glaze or Toasted Walnuts with Rosemary for something more herby and savory. For those who appreciate finishing salts, Rosemary Fleur de Sel makes an elegant gift that elevates everything from fresh tomatoes to scrambled eggs.

Coffee and tea lovers on your gift list will appreciate Gingerbread Syrup for their morning beverages. At the same time, those who enjoy seasonal drinks will love Mulling Spices for warming up cider or wine on cold evenings. And if you’re feeling ambitious, Mulled Wine Jelly is a festive condiment that’s perfect on holiday charcuterie boards or tucked into grilled cheese sandwiches. Most of these recipes include printable gift tags to make your homemade presents look as good as they taste.

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Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!