Easy Dum Ki Chai Recipe | Slow-Cooked Indian Spiced Tea| Hyderabadi Style|

Dum Ki Chai: Slow-Cooked Indian Spiced Tea

Dum Ki Chai is a soulfully aromatic, traditional Indian tea where robust tea leaves are slow-brewed with a warming blend of spices—ginger, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Its unique preparation involves steeping the mixture in a cloth-covered glass, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully through a gentle, slow-cooking process. The result is a deeply flavorful, rich, and comforting beverage that perfumes your kitchen with nostalgia, making it the perfect soothing ritual or cozy treat for a chilly evening.

Ingredients

• ½ cup water (for steeping)
• 1 piece of malmal cloth (muslin cloth) - about 8x8 inches
• 3 tablespoons black tea leaves (preferably Assam or strong variety)
• 3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
• 6-7 pieces of ginger, thinly sliced or crushed
• 6-7 cloves
• 5-6 green cardamom pods (elaichi), lightly crushed
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 cups water (for boiling)
• 3 cups whole milk (or as per preference)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chai pouch: Place the tea leaves, sugar, ginger slices, cloves, cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks in the center of the malmal cloth. Gather the edges and tie it securely with kitchen string to form a pouch. Ensure it is tight so no ingredients escape.
2. Steep the pouch: Take a glass or small bowl and add ½ cup water. Submerge the tied chai pouch in the water and let it steep for 15-20 minutes. This allows the water to absorb the flavors from the spices and tea.
3. Boil water: In a deep pan or pressure cooker (without the whistle), pour 3 cups of water. Bring it to a rolling boil over medium heat and let it boil for 5-6 minutes.
4. Combine and simmer: After boiling, add the steeped chai mixture (including the water and the pouch) to the pan. Then, pour in 3 cups of milk. Stir gently and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
5. Slow cook (Dum): Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let the chai simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to deepen. This slow-cooking process is key to "Dum" chai.
6. Strain and serve: Turn off the heat. Remove the chai pouch and strain the tea into cups using a fine mesh strainer. Serve hot and enjoy the aromatic bliss!

Tips for Perfect Dum Ki Chai

• Use fresh, high-quality spices for the best aroma. You can adjust the spice quantities to suit your taste.
• If you don't have malmal cloth, you can use cheesecloth or a thin cotton cloth as a substitute.
• For a stronger tea, extend the steeping time of the pouch to 30 minutes. For a lighter version, reduce the tea leaves to 2 tablespoons.
• You can replace sugar with jaggery or honey for a different flavor profile.
• Always simmer on low heat to prevent the milk from curdling and to achieve the authentic "dum" effect.

Enjoy this comforting Dum Ki Chai with snacks like biscuits or pakoras for a complete experience. Share your chai moments with us!