I haven’t tasted cutting chai but have heard and seen many times so wanted to try it but was waiting to buy these glasses.I got these glasses few years back and used it for many desserts here. finally here I am with the cutting chai in the traditional glass.
What is Cutting Chai?
Cutting Chai is very popular in Mumbai, the word ‘cutting’ means half a portion of tea/chai. The glass itself is small and only half a portion is being served, it is being served in a special glass named cutting chai glasses. I hunted for these glasses and finally got it. This strong chai is made with tea decoction, ginger, cardamom, milk and sweetener. There are many chai stalls also known as Tapri which sells these cutting chai served with biscuits. Cutting Chai is a regular in Mumbai and there are not much cities which sells cutting chai other than Mumbai. Chai or Tea brings back my college memories when we used to have it in canteen. My best friend Sowmya is a tea addict and the rare times we visit canteen she would always order tea. She would drink most of it and reserve a small portion for me. Had been tasting cutting chai without knowing it was cutting chai haha. When I was thinking of why they serve it only half glasses I read in a newspaper that it is cut down the portion of tea intake they do this and it started getting popular. Chai tastes best with biscuit however you can pair it with snacks like bajji, bonda etc.
Chai Glasses
These are special tea glasses to serve cutting chai or any chai/ tea. I got it from amazon, you can search as chai glasses. I bought a pack of 4, you can get these as sets or individual glasses too.
Cutting Chai Video
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Cutting Chai Ingredients
Milk – Use fresh milk for making tea. You can use farm fresh milk or packaged milk too. Tea powder – The tea powder is the important ingredient so choose the one that is flavorful and aromatic. Ginger – Ginger is grated and added for making the tea flavorful. Cardamom – Cardamom makes the tea so flavorful and aromatic. Sweetener – I have used white granulated sugar, you can replace with cane sugar or brown sugar too.
How to make Cutting Chai Step by Step
1.Heat 1 cup water in a sauce pan. 2.Add around 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger. If you like ginger flavor and want it strong add 1 teaspoon. 3.Add 2 small cardamom, crush using mortar and pestle and add it. 4.You can boil it for 2 minutes and then proceed or add tea powder immediately. 5.Add 1 heaped teaspoon tea powder. 6.Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. 7.Let it boil for 3 minutes. 8.Let it brew well then give a quick mix. 9.Add 3/4 cup milk and give a quick mix. 10.Let it come to a rolling boil. Swirl the pan and place it on the stove again. 11.Let it come to a boil again. 12.Give a quick mix and switch off. 13.Transfer tea to a metal strainer, discard the remains. 14.Now froth by pouring to and forth. 15.Now take your tea glasses. 16.Pour into the tea glass only till half and serve hot! Hot chai is ready!! Serve with biscuits!
Expert Tips
You can add just 1/2 cup milk to 1 cup water but I prefer 3/4 cup. It depends on how thick you like your chai to be. If you like strong ginger cardamom flavor then first boil ginger, cardamom in water for 3 minutes then add tea powder and boil. Make sure to boil well with tea powder so that the decoction is thick and strong. Chai served in shops is more watery as they add only little milk. So it is your preference.
Serving Suggestion
Serve cutting chai with any snack or biscuits. You can serve it any deep fried crispy snack such as pakoda, vada would be apt. I wouldn’t recommend storing tea and serving so always make it fresh and serve. If you want to take it for travel, you can make cardamom tea pour in a flask and it keeps well for about 4-5 hours. If you have any more questions about this Cutting Chai Recipe do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter . Tried this Cutting Chai Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
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