Karak Tea

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

📣 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.

👩‍🏫 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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First published Oct 22, 2018 . Last updated February 9, 2023 better instructions and readability.