BM# 96: Week 4, Day 1
Theme : Southern Hemisphere
My search for recipes from some of the African countries brought me so close to home that I was really surprised! I saw the recipe for Githeri at Mireille’s blog. I wanted to read up a little more about it and my search took me to YouTube. Video suggestions that followed the Githeri recipe showed one for Kenyan Masala Chai. I was intrigued by the name and reading more about it, I realize that it’s derived from the Indian masala chai. This particular video is by Jikoni Magic and is very well explained.
Tea plantations were introduced in Kenya in the early 1900s by the British and they are now a one of the leading producers in the world. Apparently the country is a mix of lot of cultures with the presence of British bringing in a lot Indians/Asians as well. I knew that before but still looking at a recipe so far away from home, yet so similar to what you make everyday is a rather pleasant feeling.
There is no one single recipe for the tea. Some add spices, some don’t. It’s all adjusted to suit your personal preference. So make your own call when it comes to what you add to your tea. The base concept is to boil the tea leaves with milk and water. So check out this recipe, prepare it at home and take a sip from anywhere in the world!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 3 cups water
- 2″ piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
- 4 cardamom pods
- 1″ piece cinnamon stick,
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons black tea leaves
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups milk
*the spices and the sugar can be adjusted according to your taste preference. You can add more tea leaves for a stronger brew.
Method:
- Simmer water with the spices, tea leaves and sugar for about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the milk and simmer again for 5 minutes, making sure that it doesn’t spill over. If you mix the froth that comes up on top, the tea will go back to a simmer.
- Take off the heat and strain using a tea strainer. Serve hot.
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#96
My Kitchen Trials 
This is so similar to our tea. Beautiful clicks and I feel like grabbing it right now.
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Indeed it’s a small world, at least when some of the African recipes seem so close to home because of the Indian immigrants. That ‘Kenyan’ masala chai would definitely appeal chai lovers.
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how interesting to find that different cultures have similar food habits. This is how I make my everyday evening chai. Though the fancy tea cup and samosas to the side are a rarity, This is our everyday scene in the evening :)
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This is very much similar to our masala chai. Good one.
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It sounds so much like our masala chai. I think so many recipes from Africa are similar to Indian. That cup of tea looks wonderful Rajani.
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I’ve recently started enjoying Indian style milk tea, but I make it simple with just tea leaves. I’m going to try this Kenyan spicy tea some time. Lovely clicks Rajani.
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Almost like our masala chai Rajani. Love the beautiful setup and bright airy pictures.
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Similar to the masalachai of India , the tea looks perfect and is served very well – with our Indian samosas , now who can say no to such a pleasing snack and drink !
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This is so much similar to our masala chai. We wake up to a cup of this. Nice info about Kenyan tea.
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Rajani, good to visit you after such a long time…Nice reading about kenyan masala chai and I am sure this makes a wonderful beverage to sip!
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It is indeed a small world!!
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It is pleasantly surprising to find familiar recipes in far away lands. A hot cup of tea from anywhere in the world would be great on this cold afternoon.
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