Karak tea or Karak Chai is a type of Indian masala tea that is very popular in the Middle East, especially the gulf area. A hot spiced tea recipe that is absolutely flavorful and unforgettable. The aroma and creaminess in this little cup is beyond this world.
Next time try this easy ginger latte.
❤️ Why You'll Want to Make It
- Perfect hot drink for cold fall and snowy winter days.
- The spices in this karak tea are just the right blend that will make you smile as soon as you smell it.
- Will make your kitchen smells heavenly.
- A kid friendly drink with non caffeinated tea, so creamy and comforting
What is better than wrapping your fingers around a hot cup of tea in the harsh winter weather?, or in hot summer, actually I do not care what the weather is!! I enjoy tea every single day no matter what.
And with this super aromatic tea, that has a lot of Middle Eastern spices, you will want nothing but a cozy couch.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
- Tea, any type of black tea is good for this recipe.
- Evaporated milk, make sure it is unsweetened evaporated not condensed milk.
- Sugar, you can also use other sweeteners.
- Spices, this includes cardamom, cloves, cinnamon or nutmeg. More on that in the sections below.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a pot add water, tea bags, spices and sugar if using.
- Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Add evaporated milk, reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.
💡 Amira's Tips
For tea enthusiast only: Since milk and sugar are added it is better to brew strong tea. Leave the tea longer boiling with spices for a strong flavor. You can also leave it simmering for up to 10 minutes after adding the milk.
- This recipes makes 2 cups, 8 oz each, so sweeten it to your taste.
- I do not normally use a measuring cup, and just use the teacup I am serving the tea in.
- Do not use sweetened condensed milk as it will make the tea too sweet.
- You can use regular milk but evaporated makes it more rich.
👩🍳 Variations
- I've used only cardamom and cloves for my tea. Karak lovers also add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, threads of saffron and ginger. Use more or less spices according to your liking.
- Use black tea leaves or tea bags whatever you are comfortable with.
- Make it kid friendly by using caffeine free tea.
- For a vegan tea use your favorite plant based milk. Take care that coconut milk will add a coconut flavor.
- For keto or low carb recipe use Stevia or any sweetener you like and substitute heavy cream for evaporated milk.
💬 FAQs
Generally speaking, spiced tea is any kind of tea boiled or steeped with aromatic spices. Either for health issues or just for the sake of it, but there are so many types of spiced tea in this world. Being a tea advocate, it is a shame that I've only tried a few.
This recipe can be easily turned healthier or to suite any health issues. If you want it dairy free just replace evaporated milk with the plant based milk of your choice, I like cashew milk the most. Make a sugar free version by skipping sugar or adding any sugar substitute you like.
📣 Related Recipes
- Sahlab is a warm thick pudding like Middle eastern drink popular during winter time. Here is an authentic recipe for Sahlab with ingredients that gives it its characteristic flavors.
- A refreshing cup of cardamom tea is the perfect way to calm your mind and body.
- Tea with Milk has been known in the Middle East for such a long time now. Steep your favorite black tea with a splash of milk and sweetener for an exquisite quick and easy beverage experience.
- Made with real chocolate this Italian hot chocolate is creamy and rich and is everything you want on a blustery day.
- Simple ginger latte in less than 5 minutes, this coffee shop style drink does not even need ginger syrup!.
- Turkish Coffee is a traditional black coffee style that originated in Turkey and spread all over the Middle East. Known for its strong, rich flavor this coffee is usually enjoyed with a side of delicious sweets.
- Creme Brulee Latte is a delicious, luxurious coffee shop drink that you can easily make at home. Caramel sauce mixed with your favorite espresso and steamed milk, top that with whipped cream for a rich velvety finish.
👩🏫 My Experience
This is one of the most popular Middle Eastern tea, and it is most common in the Gulf area specially in Yemen and Emirates, I've heard that this is sold by street vendors in every corner in the U.A.E.
Have you ever visited U.A.E before? I would love to go there one day. I've heard it is one of the most charming and expensive countries in the Middle East.
One that you'll go bankrupt if you visit, because you'll want to buy everything and the quality of the goods there is even better than here in the US.
Women like to buy gold when they go the gulf area, gold there is of a very high quality and the jewelry craftsmanship is beyond this world.
I remember when I was like 11 years old, we went to a wedding party in KSA. In those parties women and men are separated meaning, women are celebrating in a different place than men with their own banquet and with the bride among them.
When I stepped in there, I've found lots of women dressed up to the finest and latest fashion, and almost covered in shiny gold which was a scene I'm not used to ^o^. At that time, I was not very much interested in gold, so I wonder what will I do now if I stepped in a wedding like this .... poor hubby \(^o^)/.
Back to the real world, tea in the Middle East, specially black tea, is like coffee in the US. You can always find it in each and every household, no one can survive without tea specially mint tea. Women and men, poor or rich, single, married or with children, young, old and even children drink tea there. It is something cultural , and this is one of the tastiest tea recipes I've ever had.
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Karak Tea (Karak Chai)
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water
- 2 tea bags or 2 teaspoon loose tea.
- 5 oz evaporated unsweetened milk
- Sugar to taste
- 8 cardamom pods
- 4-5 whole cloves
Optional spices to add, use any or all of the following
- ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon cinnamon You can also use one cinnamon stick
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 4 slices of fresh ginger You can also use ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 3-5 Saffron threads
Instructions
- In a pot, or tea pot, add water, tea bags and sugar. Stir to combine.
- Add the spices you are using and bring to a boil.
- Add milk, reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Strain, pour in serving cups.
Video
Notes
- For tips and variations check the post above.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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First published Oct 22, 2018 . Last updated February 9, 2023 better instructions and readability.
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Melody
Thank you for the recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So good and easy to make ! will make it again very soon!
Héctor
Sounds very much like Indian masala chai but definitely a keeper although I've yet to make it
But the ground beef/zucchini casserole sounds delish! And way more easy to prepare than traditional mashi.
Lastly, about the UAE you don't really want to go there even for a holiday. Trust me, I worked there.
Amira
I believe you are saying this because it is so hot over there, I used to live in KSA during my childhood so kind of used to it :).
Ann22
Adore spiced tea. Will try this very soon. Thanks.
Hannah
Hi Amira,
thanks for sharing this simple but authentic recipe! I will try soon.
But I'm not a big fan of sweetened drinks, can I skip that?
Or that will lose the point of making this tea?
Amira
Haven't tried that Hannah, if you do try it please let us know. Thanks.
Linda
I learned make this tea in Egypt and I use sweetened condensed milk and it is Delicious...
Cassie
This is very much like the chai I drink when in India.
Lovely.
Crystal Taylor-Hikal
Thanks Amira for your karak tea recipe. I haven’t had this tea since we left Qatar two years ago. All the locals bring thermoses of it to work everyday and leave it out in the majlis for guests and it’s a breakfast staple on any table there but I’d never made it myself. Do you have any idea how to make the Khaleeji ghawa coffee spice mix at home and then how to brew it? The one drank with dates....That’s a recipe I’d love to have but I’m wondering about the ingredient availability......
Amira
Crystal, I am happy you liked this recipe.. it is actually one of my favorite. I've never tried making the "Arabic coffee" mix before, I usually ask someone going to the KSA to being me some. But this is really going to be a lovely project to work on, will be trying to get a hold of a good recipe. I love it so much and I bet it will need some green coffee..
Ali Saeed
Hi, I just made this for the 3rd time in 2 weeks – it was a MASSIVE hit in our house! It has been cold here where I live and this kind of tea is so warming and delicious.
Amira
Thank you so much Ali for your feedback.Great to know that you liked it.
Hajara Lamido
I appreciate your tea style. jazaki Allah bi khair
Amira
Thank you ♥.
Camille
We’re can I purchase cardamom,can I use the powder form.
Amira
Camille, you can find cardamom pods almost anywhere. Health stores, Middle Eastern stores, Walmart, Kroger stores ..ect. If you do not like in the united states and you still cannot find it, it is there on amazon as well.
Lisa Inia
This was a treat!! So delicious. I added some frothed milk on top.
Amira
Lisa, than you for trying this recipe. I am happy you liked it.
John / Kitchen Riffs
This sounds SO tasty. I'm going to ve visiting the U.A.E. next year so I'll be able to check out the original preparation of this! Nice recipe - thanks.
Amira
Thanks John, I hope you'll try it soon and tell me your thoughts.
Aya
I love this recipe. I doubted that it would be like chai latte, but it’s so different and it turned out way better than it. My husband, who is mot a hot drink or tea person, loved it too and he asked me to do some more for him. Thank you
Amira
Aya, Thanks for trying the recipe out. It is a very tasty drink and I was just thinking of making it for my father in law as a change to his ordinary drinks :). Happy that you and your darling loved it. Thanks for your feedback.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
This sounds absolutely delightful!! I'm a big tea lover and usually go for a chai latte so this would really be something I would enjoy 🙂
Cecilia
Spiced tea, that goes always for me. Great recipe, I will try it. Thanks for sharing.
Umm Hamza
As Salaamu Alaykum, Beautifully presented tea sister, I must try it and there i was thinking coffee was the most popular of the two in the middle east.
Evelyne CulturEatz
When I'll have a huge wallet I would love to visit, for now I'll sip on this lovely Middle East spiced tea 😉
marie
I can't wait to try this one Amira. Perfect for a nice day at home, with a good book...Love tea and cardamone taste.
Sweet day to you my friend.
Hotly Spiced
On a cold winter's morning it would be lovely to start the day with a cup of this spiced tea. It must smell very aromatic xx