Masala tea: India's health drink. Masala tea is a real Indian miracle! The benefits and harms of masala tea: when, how and with what to use it correctly, masala for weight loss

If you decide to treat yourself to this tea, learn not only about its beneficial properties, but also about its contraindications.

Benefit

There are many recipes for masala tea, but each of them will bring tangible benefits to a person. This tea is loved in many countries around the world for its amazing taste and healing properties:

masala - metabolism accelerator;
charges with energy and vivacity;
dampens the feeling of hunger;
helps in cleansing the body and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
increases immunity;
participates in the treatment of colds;
lethal to oral bacteria;
relieves nervous tension;
improves brain activity.

Masala tea is a good helper for ensuring normal functioning of the body. If you introduce it into your morning diet, it will give you energy for the whole day. These properties of tea are similar to the well-known coffee. When there is a threat of colds, a cup of masala tea will boost your immunity.

The drink contains vitamins that can cleanse the blood of toxins, resulting in a better complexion and calmer, cleaner breathing. It has an amazing effect on the walls of blood vessels: they become more elastic. Therefore, blood movement is normalized.

Masala tea is a combination of healing spices that in their own way help improve a person’s well-being:

cardamom - increases appetite;
cinnamon - will help reduce fever, an excellent diuretic;
cloves - cleanses the liver of harmful substances.

Proteins, fats, and minerals that tea is rich in help prevent tuberculosis, eliminate anemia, and improve the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems.

Harm and contraindications

Masala tea is believed to be harmless. But no matter how healing the product is, it will definitely have contraindications for use. Those who are allergic to spices should drink this tea very carefully. In this case, simply replace the harmful component with one that does not cause an allergic reaction, or better yet, exclude it from your diet. People with individual intolerance to certain ingredients of the drink will also have to give up this type of tea altogether, or try to replace the component with one that is harmless to the body.

Is it possible for pregnant and lactating women

Drinking spiced masala tea may be harmful for pregnant and nursing mothers. Some spices in large doses can cause miscarriage or bleeding. Many experts are categorically against the use of such tea by pregnant women.

Nursing mothers should be careful when consuming any foods, as the baby quickly reacts to everything that enters the mother's body. Masala tea can cause allergies, and the smell of spice in breast milk can cause nervousness in the baby, poor sleep, and loss of appetite.

Composition (vitamins and microelements)

Masala tea is a set of Indian spices that are used to brew tea and the drink itself. Components that are its components:

milk;
spices;
sweeteners.

The spicy drink is healthy and nutritious, as it contains vitamins, tannins, fats and proteins. There are a lot of tea recipes, so the vitamin and mineral composition of each of them is different. The average could be like this:

Chemical composition includes: beta-carotene, choline. In 100 g of product:

proteins 15.0 grams;
fat 15.0 grams;
carbohydrates 45.0 grams;
379 kcal.

Masala tea can successfully replace coffee because it increases productivity and improves memory.

How to cook

The tea is easy to prepare, so it is not difficult to prepare it at home. To do this, boil water and add milk to taste. The chopped ginger root and nutmeg need to be boiled a little, then the rest of the spices are added as desired:

black pepper;
cardamom;
carnation;
flower petals (usually roses).

Boil the contents a little more over low heat. Honey or sugar is added to a hot drink. It is better to drink it warm or hot.

In stores you can buy a ready-made mixture of Indian masala tea, although gourmets advise preparing it yourself, because all the components are easy to purchase and it is better to regulate the composition yourself.

You can brew tea in different ways, but there are basic rules so that all the benefits do not disappear and the taste can be enjoyed:

use unprocessed milk, not from store-bought packages;
Grind the spices just before cooking to preserve the aroma and beneficial properties;
black leaf tea is not brewed in boiling water, the temperature of the liquid should be 90 degrees;
add honey to warm tea, not hot, so that it does not lose its properties;
Milk is added to tea, not the other way around.

There are no rules when preparing spices; everyone can determine for themselves which ones are suitable. You can experiment, but it is recommended to do everything slowly and enjoy the smell and taste. Such teas are prepared with love in the heart and in a good mood.

Storage

Ready-made tea in powder form, which is purchased in a supermarket, should be stored for as long as indicated on the product packaging. If the masala is prepared without tea and milk, store it in the refrigerator for 6-7 days, consume as desired, adding tea, milk and sweetener to it.

Ready masala tea can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and drunk cold. An excellent option to quench your thirst in the summer.

How to choose

The product can be purchased in specialized stores, and it is also possible to order it on Internet sites. When choosing a mixture, pay attention to the spices that were used during the production of the product. In the classic version, cardamom and cloves are added. Black pepper gives the tea a spicy kick that may not be to everyone's taste. Masala tea is produced with the addition of almonds, saffron, and rose petals.

Choose tea according to your taste, carefully read the composition on the package.

What goes with it?

Masala is combined with various spices, which are carefully selected depending on the preferences of the manufacturer. Main products:

cloves, which give a unique aroma;
ginger is an anti-cold remedy that has a positive effect on the entire body;
cardamom;
star anise, which imparts a bittersweet flavor;
Milk is a mandatory ingredient; only fresh milk is used.

It must be remembered that spices have a strong aroma, so you should not add too much to tea.

Masala tea, the benefits and harms of which have been well studied by experts, is a tasty and healing drink. Everyone should try it, as it has no side effects. Although pregnant women and those who cannot tolerate certain components should drink tea very carefully.

The benefits and harms of Masala tea and other interesting information about the drink, which is famous for its quality and taste, have long been studied by experts. It turns out that the properties of tea can not only lift your mood with its pleasantly warming taste, but also relieve many diseases.

What is Masala

Indian cuisine is famous for its varied combinations of all kinds of spices called Masala. Their use adds piquancy and variety to everyday food, while the beneficial properties and aroma make drinks new and enjoyable.

History of the origin of Masala tea

Little is known about the origins of tea. Some sources indicate that tea became widely used in the seventh millennium BC, while others indicate that in the third. The same disagreements arise when determining the place where this tea was first created. Many historians are still of the opinion that he comes from India (modern Thailand).

The beneficial properties of Masala tea did not immediately become known to the whole world. In 1835, the first tea plantations began to appear in the state of Assam, and the British, in order to increase the productivity of their slaves and make them more resilient, began to feed them this healthy drink.

Later, Indian traders began to actively distribute Masala tea, traveling and selling it in markets and bazaars at very high prices. To get more profit from sales, they began to mix in spices. This is how modern Indian tea arose. Only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries did Masala become available to every person.

Now the people of India offer this drink to tourists as a traditional one, and praise it, informing them about its properties and benefits.

Chemical composition and calorie content of Masala tea

The calorie content of Indian tea is an unstable indicator, since it depends on the correct preparation and the amount of added substances. There is an exact list of ingredients that are required when making a drink. If you adhere to it, then the caloric content per 100 g of dry mass will be:

Ratio of proteins, fats and carbons:

This percentage of nutrients allows you to include the product in the diet menu, despite the high fat content.

The mineral and vitamin composition of tea, its beneficial properties and harm depend on the components, which may vary in different recipes. If we take into account only one serving of the drink according to the classic recipe, then it contains:

Vitamins	Minerals
Vitamins	macronutrients	microelements

		Aluminum


		Manganese

		Molybdenum


		Strontium




Beta carotene

The chemical composition of the product can be adjusted independently by experimenting and adding new spices.

Benefits of Masala tea

The beneficial properties of Masala tea, whose benefits for the body are invaluable, have been used since ancient times to improve well-being and activate the functioning of many organ systems. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, it is capable of:

speed up metabolism;
burn excess fat;
improve immunity;
resist viral and bacterial diseases;
lift your spirits;
increase concentration and brain activity;
prevent the formation of blood clots, strengthen the cardiovascular system;
remove unnecessary cholesterol;
normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
charge with additional energy;
prevent the development of cancer.

Indian Masala tea, the benefits and harms of which should be carefully studied by everyone who decides to add it to their diet, has a large number of healing properties, therefore it is actively used as a natural remedy for many diseases.

The effect of Masala tea spices on the human body

The drink contains many different spices, thanks to which it has gained popularity. The classic recipe involves using:

Cinnamon. It lowers blood sugar levels, normalizes digestion and stimulates brain activity. It is better to take the spice in stick form rather than powder.
Cardamom. The benefit is the ability to strengthen the immune system, eliminate inflammatory processes in the body and improve vision. Usually this taste dominates in the drink, so one serving includes 1 piece.
Carnations. The plant not only gives the tea a warming effect, but also a pleasant, memorable aroma. Beneficial properties include the ability to speed up metabolism, strengthen the cardiovascular system and provide additional energy.
Ginger. It gives tea a sweet taste, and also warms and stimulates a person to show positive emotions. This is a good pain reliever that improves overall well-being during colds, and also prevents the development of cancerous tumors.
Black pepper. The spice makes the drink slightly spicy, which is felt well when drinking tea. The benefit is to provide a diuretic and antibacterial effect.

Additional spices that can be added at will, based on taste preferences, include bay leaves, lemongrass, saffron, star anise and basil.

Benefits of Masala tea for weight loss

To get rid of excess weight without putting excessive effort into it, you can take advantage of the beneficial properties of Masala tea for weight loss. The composition includes spices that speed up metabolism without harm. Thanks to this, the drink is well suited for those who want to lose extra pounds.

Important! The calorie content of tea is determined by two components - milk, which is a mandatory ingredient, and a sweetener, the amount of which can be changed to taste.

How to brew Masala tea correctly

In order for aromatic Masala tea not only to quench your thirst, but also to improve your overall well-being without harm, you need to adhere to time-tested recipes when preparing it. You can brew tea yourself in several ways:

Method 1. Heat water with all the spices in a special bowl. After boiling, pour in milk and sweetener. Boil the mixture for 4 minutes and filter.
Method 2. Heat milk with water, combine with all the spices and additives. Close the lid and leave to steep for 15 minutes. After adding the dry tea mixture, re-boil and filter.
Method 3. Brew the dry mass, boil the water separately and combine it with tea, which has had time to brew, and spices. Filter the mass, add milk and sweeteners.

Not only the taste, but also the beneficial properties and harm of the product will depend on the brewing method.

Important! In Masala tea, the proportions of milk and water can vary from 1:1 to 3:1.

Masala Tea Recipes

The easiest way is to brew a ready-made mixture of Masala tea, but the drink prepared at home has many beneficial properties. Because confidence increases that only high-quality products are used.

Classical

To brew Masala tea without harm, endowed with many beneficial substances, according to the traditional recipe, you need to carefully study the properties.

List of ingredients:

400 ml milk;
400 ml water;
4 cloves;
2 cardamom pods;
2 peppers;
1 pal. cinnamon;
2 pieces of ginger;
2 tbsp. l. black tea.

Cooking technology:

First grind the pepper and cardamom.
Combine water with milk and all spices in any container.
Boil the resulting mass and keep on fire for 5–10 minutes.
Add sugar and black tea, cook for 5 minutes.
Filter the composition using a strainer - and you can serve.

With fennel and nutmeg

Masala tea ingredients such as fennel and nutmeg will not only improve the taste of the drink, but will also make it healthier.

Product set:

250 ml water;
500 ml milk;
7 g cinnamon;
1 tbsp. l. black tea;
4 mountains black pepper;
2 cloves;
2 cardamoms;
12 g fennel;
1 star anise;
1 nutmeg;
25 g sugar.

Step by step recipe:

Grate the ginger and grind the nutmeg in advance.
Boil water and milk separately.
Pour Masala tea into water and combine milk with ginger, pepper and nutmeg.
After 5 minutes of boiling, add the remaining chopped spices to the milk.
After 2 minutes, add sugar and remove both mixtures from heat.
Mix the prepared tea with milk and strain.

With honey and anise

One of the original solutions would be to make Masala tea with anise and honey, which bring tangible benefits to the body, which is why they are often used as spices for tea. To prepare a healthy drink you will need:

250 ml water;
1 anise;
15 g honey;
2 tsp. black tea;
250 ml milk;
20 g ginger;
3 cardamoms;
2 fennel;
10 g cinnamon.

Cooking process:

Boil water with all the spices, which you have crushed in advance.
Add milk and dry tea mixture.
Boil for 2 minutes, filter and add honey.

Green tea with vanilla and star anise

Drinking coffee in the morning is contraindicated for many people, but they need to cheer themselves up. The beneficial properties of green tea with vanilla and star anise are suitable for these purposes, since the main components can provide the body with additional energy and improve mood.

Ingredient set:

125 ml water;
250 milk;
5 pieces. cardamom;
3 cloves;
½ star anise;
5 g ginger;
5 g nutmeg;
5 g vanilla;
2 tsp. green tea;
50 g sugar;

Step by step recipe:

Grind and fry the spices.
Bring milk to a boil, add spices and sugar.
Brew tea, combine both ingredients and filter.

With mint and sweetener

This aromatic and healthy Masala tea will impress with its unusual taste. It is recommended to use honey or maple syrup as a sweetener, as they contain a large amount of beneficial substances and are less harmful than sugar.

List of components:

200 ml water;
200 ml milk;
1 clove;
1 bunch of mint;
¼ lime;
1 tbsp. l. black tea;
1 cardamom;
½ ginger (grated);
½ tsp. cinnamon;
2 tbsp. l. honey or maple syrup;

Sequencing:

Mix water with all the spices and boil.
Add leaves, sweetener, lime wedges and milk.
Boil for 4 minutes and filter the drink through a strainer.

Is it possible to drink Masala tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The benefits of Masala tea for women include pain relief during menstruation. But it is not recommended to use it during pregnancy, since it is an analogue of caffeine that can be harmful. It negatively affects the nervous system, as well as the tone of the uterus. Excessive use may cause miscarriage. Also, you should not take it during lactation, since the spices contained in the drink negatively affect the fetus’s still unformed digestive system.

Masala tea for children

Many spices are not allowed for children under 6 years of age - they can harm the little body. But tea will be useful for schoolchildren. But only if the child does not have serious health problems or contraindications. Due to its many beneficial properties, tea should be drunk by those preparing for exams or tests, as it has a beneficial effect on brain activity and saturates the body with additional energy.

Harmful effects of Masala tea and contraindications for use.

Along with many beneficial properties, the natural elixir has restrictions for use, ignoring which can be harmful:

individual intolerance;
tendency to allergies;
chemical burns of the digestive system;
lactase deficiency.

If you are allergic or intolerant to any particular component, you can simply exclude it from the recipe and continue drinking delicious Masala tea without harm to your health.

How to select and store

It is important to choose the right product in order to experience the taste to the fullest and get maximum benefit without harm. Therefore, it is best to buy from trusted places. There are many stores on the Internet that specialize in selling similar products grown in environmentally friendly places without the use of chemicals.

The dry mixture should be stored in an airtight package or container in a dark place for no more than 3 weeks.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of Masala tea have been thoroughly studied by scientists, which makes it possible to include it in the daily diet. Since the pleasant taste of the drink, its unique aroma, nutritional value, high content of biologically active substances, will not only invigorate and warm, but also support human health.

So, masala tea, what it is and what it consists of. Masala is a wonderful invigorating drink based on tea, milk and spices. Its homeland is the poorest Indian neighborhoods and villages. The tradition of drinking tea with spices goes back centuries.

Oddly enough, tea began to be used as a drink in India relatively recently, at the very end of the 19th century. Previously, it was considered exclusively a medicinal plant.

In the early 1900s, a British tea company that was growing tea in India decided to expand its domestic market. Indian workers were literally forced to drink traditional English milk tea during short rest periods. Over time, the habit of drinking tea gained popularity among the local population. Only the English drink was slightly improved: a huge amount of various herbs and spices, a lot of sugar and full-fat milk were added to it. This is how masala tea or spiced tea was born.

There are a lot of recipes for brewing the drink. All Indians prepare it differently, and what to use as additional ingredients, everyone decides for themselves.

The main and constant components of tea will be:

milk;
sugar;
Black tea;
spices.

It is important that the milk is high in fat, and granulated tea is more often used. But large-leaf and even green are quite suitable.

List of spices that are added to the drink:

anise;
ginger;
cardamom;
black pepper;
vanilla;
liquorice root;
nutmeg;
coriander;
cinnamon;
saffron;
star anise;
carnation;
almond;
mint;
liquorice;
fennel (seeds);
rose petals.

Of course, all these spices are not used in one drink. In any case, the main ones will be cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves and ginger. Their quantity and proportions vary depending on the recipe.

Benefits for the body

Masala tea can be called a medicinal drink. It has a huge number of useful properties. It is often used to treat or prevent:

tuberculosis;
heart disease;
colds or viral infections;
vascular pathologies;
anemia;
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
vitamin deficiency;
diseases of the nervous system.

If ginger, black pepper and star anise are added to tea, then such a drink invigorates and gives strength no worse than strong coffee. And saffron in combination with mint helps you relax and fall asleep. In addition, eating masala helps you quickly lose weight, it suppresses the feeling of hunger, warms you up in cold weather and cools you down in hot weather.

Compound

Thanks to the large number of components in the drink, it is a real storehouse of microelements, vitamins and minerals.

Among them:

copper;
all vitamins from group B;
vitamins A, E and C;
potassium;
manganese;
calcium;
zinc;
sodium;
magnesium;
iron;
phosphorus.

Masala tea is high in calories, it contains about 379 kcal per 100 g. Of these, there is a larger amount of carbohydrates (175 kcal), slightly less fat (138 kcal) and proteins (up to 65 kcal).

But optimal energy balance drink allows you to drink it even during a diet.

Health benefits of Indian masala tea

The unique composition of this tea allows you to improve your health and overall well-being.

In addition, he:

normalizes blood pressure;
strengthens the immune system;
improves the external condition of the skin;
gives vigor and strength;
burns fat, improves digestion;
makes blood vessels elastic;
improves brain function;
cleanses the blood;
warms well;
dulls the feeling of hunger.

Masala is good for coping with depression and nervous exhaustion.

Tea recipes from India

Despite the abundance of recipes, making masala is not difficult. But if there is no opportunity or desire to prepare tea yourself, a ready-made mixture will come to the rescue. You can buy it both while traveling in India and in various online stores.

Hindus use the cheapest granulated tea for masala, but it is better to use good Indian tea, large leaf.

Classic recipe

For 2 glasses of full-fat milk, take a glass of water.

3 tablespoons (tablespoons) of Indian leaf tea;
cardamom pod;
1 spoon (teaspoon) of ground dry ginger and the same amount of cinnamon;
a little black pepper;
5-6 cloves;
sugar.

All spices must be thoroughly crushed and mixed. Pour milk and water into any container and boil. Add spices, and after 2-3 minutes add sugar and tea. Cook on the lowest heat, covered, for about 4-6 minutes. After this, the drink is left to brew for another 10 minutes. Before drinking, strain through cheesecloth or a sieve.

Second recipe

For the same amount of milk and water as in the first recipe, take the following ingredients:

1 spoon (tbsp.) black tea;
several peppercorns;
star anise (half a star);
1-2 pieces of cardamom;
2 cloves;
half a tsp. cinnamon and fennel seeds;
tsp fresh grated ginger;
a quarter of nutmeg and a few rose petals.

Prepare spices (grind and mix), boil water with milk and tea. Remove from heat, add prepared spices, leave covered for 10-15 minutes and strain.

Third recipe

You can make tea from the same ingredients, but instead of rose petals add a little fenugreek (helba). You also need to cook it differently. Read about the benefits and harms of helba-based yellow tea from Egypt.

Milk is boiled in one container, and water in another. After boiling, tea is added to the water, and thinly sliced ginger, nutmeg and pepper are added to the milk. After the milk has boiled for a few minutes, add the rest of the spices. Then infuse it a little, add sugar and combine it with brewed tea.

We bring to your attention a video of another interesting recipe for brewing Indian masala tea:

Fourth recipe

This drink is prepared based on green tea. You should take 1 glass of milk, and half as much water. Take tea and sugar in equal parts, 2 tsp each.

Other ingredients:

3 cloves;
a little star anise (half);
3 pcs. cardamom;
vanilla - tsp;
a couple of pinches of white pepper;
half tsp dry ginger;
a little nutmeg (powder).

Crush the spices and fry briefly in sunflower oil. Boil the milk separately and add spices and sugar to it. Tea is brewed in a different container. Both milk and tea are allowed to simmer over low heat for about 3-5 minutes. Then turn off the stove and leave everything for about 5-7 minutes. Only after this, milk and tea are mixed and filtered.

How to brew masala tea

Any method of preparing a drink requires compliance with certain rules:

the tea should be strong enough and the milk should be rich;
To ensure that the drink is well mixed, it is recommended to combine already boiled milk with water by pouring from one container to another (at least 4-5 times);
Before pouring the finished tea, be sure to scald the mugs with boiling water;
The aroma of spices will be better revealed if you lightly fry in melted butter or sunflower oil;
Very little cloves and pepper are added to tea so as not to interrupt the delicate taste of the drink;
You cannot cook spices over high heat - just simmer.

There are no strict recommendations on how to drink masala tea. Hindus love to eat it at any time of the day, with honey or sugar, with butter cookies or oriental sweets. You can drink it before meals, or even instead of meals.

Possible harm and contraindications

Masala tea is well tolerated by the body, has no side effects. The only exception may be individual intolerance or allergy to any ingredients. If the drink is prepared correctly, the benefits will be significant.

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From time immemorial, India has been famous for its traditions and secrets of growing and preparing an amber invigorating drink - tea. There are many ways to brew the leaves of the plant, but masala is one of the most exotic options. In the 20th century, it gained great popularity throughout the world, and scientists became interested in its beneficial properties. What benefits does the drink bring to the body, how many mugs can you drink without harm to health, and who is not recommended to drink tea - read about all this further.

Translated from Indian, “masala” means a drink based on spices. There are many recipes for this tea, and the taste depends on the spices added and their quantity. Only the basic set of ingredients remains unchanged:

premium loose leaf tea;
milk;
sweetener;
warming spices.

The energy value of tea is as follows (per 100 g of dry product):

The calorie content of one cup (200 ml) of the finished drink is approximately 82 kcal. In addition, masala tea contains:

choline;
potassium;
calcium;
iron;
magnesium;
zinc;
copper;
manganese;
vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, PP, C.

Depending on the ingredients of a particular recipe, masala tea may contain various beneficial substances, vitamins and microelements.

A rich, spicy drink with milk came to us from distant India.

In addition to its unusual taste, masala has healing properties. By stimulating metabolism and starting the circulation of energy in the body, a mixture of tea, spices and milk gives a boost of energy for the whole day. Therefore, the drink is an excellent alternative to traditional morning coffee, the consumption of which in large quantities is harmful to health. Masala is also famous for the following effects:

is an excellent remedy for the prevention of colds and flu (ginger, cinnamon, black pepper are responsible for this);
strengthens the immune system and actively fights sluggish infections (due to cloves, cardamom, ginger);
cleanses the blood of harmful substances, prevents atherosclerosis;
heals the liver (if the tea contains cloves);
has a slight diuretic effect (due to the content of cinnamon);
saves from chronic fatigue;
strengthens blood vessels and prevents their damage;
normalizes blood pressure during vegetative-vascular dystonia, strengthens the heart muscle;
speeds up metabolism, relieves heaviness in the stomach, improves digestion;
has a positive effect on the nervous system: memory and concentration, mental activity improves.

For a long time, masala tea in India was also considered an effective means of preventing tuberculosis.

Contraindications for taking masala

It is believed that the spicy drink has no contraindications. However, masala tea is not recommended for people with:

individual intolerance to components;
tendency to allergies;
chemical burns of the oral cavity and esophagus;
lactase deficiency (due to milk contained in the drink).

Features of drinking the Indian drink

Normal for an adult

Indians, who are reputed to be big fans of spices, drink 3-5 mugs a day. A person who is just starting to get acquainted with an exotic drink should not abuse it: taking 1 small glass in the first half of the day is enough. It is not advisable to drink tea in the evening: it may cause problems with sleep.

The optimal time of day to take the drink is morning and afternoon

For various diseases

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease that requires strict adherence to a diet. During an exacerbation, doctors usually recommend complete fasting and abstinence from all drinks (except plain water). But even in the remission phase, masala may be too heavy for the pancreas, as it contains many spices that have a stimulating effect. The traditional Indian drink for chronic pancreatitis can be replaced with unsweetened tea with milk and a pinch of cinnamon (no more than 1 cup per day is allowed).

Cholecystitis

A diet for cholecystitis involves limiting fatty foods in the diet, so masala tea is allowed for such patients, but it is better to add skim milk to it. The use of spices in small quantities for inflammation of the gallbladder is allowed. Turmeric is considered especially useful, as it stimulates the production of bile and prevents stagnation.

Gastritis

Masala with ginger, coriander, anise and cloves is considered an excellent drink for patients with gastritis. These spices have a beneficial effect on the gastric mucosa, relieve inflammation and eliminate pain.

Diabetes

Patients with diabetes should include the drink in their diet with caution due to the sweetener content, or drink tea and completely exclude sugar from the recipe.

Masala for weight loss

The spices that make up Indian tea stimulate digestion and normalize metabolism - these qualities make the drink an ideal remedy for weight loss. But due to the high energy value of one mug of masala, those who want to lose extra pounds should not drink it often (2-3 times a week is enough).

The calorie content and satiety of tea are determined by two components - milk and sweetener.

During pregnancy

It is not advisable to consume masala during pregnancy for the following reasons:

In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is better to completely avoid the spicy drink, especially if doctors warn about the threat of miscarriage. For severe toxicosis, manifested by nausea and vomiting, delicious tea with spices, prepared according to a special recipe, will help.

Not all women tolerate dairy products well during pregnancy. If after drinking the drink you experience bloating and heaviness in the stomach, then you should stop drinking tea with milk for a while.

In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, if the woman feels well, you can return to your favorite exotic drink. In this case, it is better not to brew strong tea, and reduce the amount of spices by half. You should not consume more than 1 cup per day.

While breastfeeding

Eating masala while breastfeeding raises many questions. The opinion of doctors on this matter is categorical: a large number of spices included in the drink can negatively affect the digestion of the baby, causing excessive gas formation and colic. Therefore, mothers of newborns who are not yet three months old should not drink this tea.

When your child gets older, you can try to add a tasty and warming drink back into the diet. It should not be very strong and contain a small amount of spices. Start by drinking half a glass of masala tea a day and monitoring your baby's condition. If he behaves as usual and does not show anxiety, you can increase the amount of drink consumed to one cup per day.

Some infants are hypersensitive to caffeine and its chemical analogues. If you notice that after drinking the drink your baby becomes overly active, capricious and sleeps poorly, give up tea, coffee and other caffeine-containing products while breastfeeding.

Tea with spices for children

Traditionally, tea and coffee are considered “adult” drinks. Therefore, even regular tea is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. But masala, rich in spices and having an exotic bright taste, should not be given to children under 6 years of age. Schoolchildren can try a warming drink, but only if there are no contraindications to taking it.

By combining different ingredients, you can prepare many variations of the drink.

Traditionally, black loose leaf tea is used to prepare masala tea. Some recipes use green, white or red varieties as a basis. In order for the drink to retain all its beneficial properties, when brewing it is necessary to use purified water heated to 90 °C: you cannot pour boiling water over the leaves, much less cook them on the stove for a long time.

The original recipes use whole (unprocessed) cow's milk. In order to give the drink more lightness, you can dilute it half and half with water. It is recommended to first prepare the tea and then add milk with spices to it: this way, according to Ayurvedic teachings, two powerful energies are mixed, and masala tea acquires healing properties.

The following can act as a sweetener:

brown or palm sugar;
syrup;
condensed milk.

Adding spices to masala tea is a creative process that resembles real magic in the kitchen. The most popular spicy drink ingredients are:

cinnamon;
carnation;
black pepper;
cardamom;
ginger;
fennel;
anise;
almond;
nutmeg;
rose petals;
star anise;
saffron;
liquorice root;
mint.

To prepare tea, you should use fresh spices, which are crushed immediately before adding to the milk. This way, the healing qualities of the drink are fully revealed, and the bright spice mixture makes it warming and very aromatic.

Today you can also find ready-made mixtures for preparing warming masala on sale: look for the label “Masala tea”, “Chai tea” on the labels.

Video: How to brew masala tea?

Health drink recipes

A classic recipe for raising vitality and fighting fatigue

Ingredients:

2 cups of water;
1 cup milk (more if you want a thicker, milkier tea);
4 tablespoons of black tea;
sugar to taste;
2 pcs. cardamom;
2 black peppercorns;
1 star anise;
2 whole cloves;
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds;
1 tsp. grated ginger;
1/2 stick of cloves;
a pinch of grated nutmeg;
some dry rose petals.

Cooking method:

Grind the spices thoroughly and mix.
Bring milk and water to a boil, remove from heat.
Add tea and spices to the liquid.
Infuse everything under the lid for 10 minutes, and then strain - the drink is ready.

Drink masala tea immediately after preparing it hot.

To improve digestion

Ingredients:

1 cup of water;
1.5 cups of milk;
10 g fresh ginger (root);
4 things. black pepper;
1 PC. star anise;
1 PC. carnations;
2 pcs. cardamom;
1 PC. nutmeg;
0.5 tsp. cinnamon;
1 tsp. fennel;
1 tbsp. l. black long tea;
1 tbsp. l. Sahara.

Cooking method:

Pour water and milk into separate saucepans, place both liquids on the stove and bring to a boil.
Pour tea into boiling water, and peeled and grated ginger, chopped nutmeg and black pepper into boiling milk.
After 3-4 minutes, add all the other chopped spices to the milk, and remove the tea from the stove.
After 2-3 minutes, stir sugar into the milk and remove from heat.
Combine the milk mixture with tea (to do this, pour the liquid from one pan to another several times), and then strain the finished drink.

Soothing masala

Ingredients:

1 cup of water;
1 cup milk;
2 pcs. carnations;
1 PC. cardamom;
0.5 tsp. ginger;
0.5 tsp. cinnamon;
1 bunch of mint;
1 tbsp. l. black tea;
2 tsp. sugar or honey.

Cooking method:

Pour water into a saucepan and add all the chopped spices, then put on the stove and bring to a boil.
Pour tea and sugar into the boiling liquid, pour in milk.
Reduce heat and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Remove the finished drink from the stove and strain.

This tea is suitable for drinking in the evening.

To enhance lactation

The peculiarity of this drink is that tea is completely excluded from its composition, and the main ingredient is milk (the main thing is that the woman does not suffer from lactose intolerance).

You need to prepare ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and turmeric.
Dissolve a pinch of spices in a glass of hot (but not boiling) milk.
Use honey as a sweetener, if you are not allergic to it, or cane sugar.

This drink is very calming and relaxing, so you can drink it even before bed.

Masala tea combines an excellent spicy taste and a lot of beneficial qualities. It’s not that difficult to prepare, and it will bring you and your loved ones a lot of pleasure and health.

Masala tea is very common in India, the classic version of which is based on milk and spices. And if you are not a milk lover, but really want to try a flavorful Indian drink with spices, then this recipe is for you. But first, a little information about the benefits and harms of masala tea.

From Indian the name of this aromatic tea is translated as a mixture of spices. Thanks to the spices it contains, this drink has many beneficial properties for the body. First of all this:

the ginger and honey contained in the drink will increase immunity during the season of colds and viral diseases;
its use will tone the body, give strength and vigor;
the drink has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive system;
increases blood flow to the skin, as a result of which it has wonderful warming properties, which is also very valuable in the cold season;
taking it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart, which prevents vascular diseases and prevents the occurrence of strokes and blood clots;
eliminates symptoms of chronic fatigue, has a positive effect on mental activity;
Ginger root, which is part of masala tea, has the ability to speed up metabolism in the body, which helps to get rid of excess weight.

Could such a wonderful drink with a piquant taste be harmful to health? This is unlikely, except in the following cases:

the presence of a stomach ulcer (spices included in the tea have a pungent taste, which is contraindicated in case of stomach diseases);
If masala tea is prepared with milk, it is contraindicated for people suffering from lactose intolerance.

Recipe for making masala tea without milk

There are no strict rules for preparing this drink. According to the classic recipe for masala tea, its composition may include various spices and herbs (from 5 to 10 types in different variations), milk, as well as water or black (green tea). You can use honey, sugar or condensed milk as a sweetener.

What should those who do not like milk or suffer from individual intolerance, but are fans of drinks with savory flavors, do? We bring to your attention a recipe for making masala tea without milk, the benefits of which are also obvious.

You will need for 2 servings:

Water – 3 glasses of 200 ml each;
Cinnamon – 1 stick or 1 tsp. l.;
Cloves – 1 tsp. or 3-4 buds;
Cardamom – ½ tsp. or 3-4 boxes;
Fresh ginger – 1 tsp;
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp;
Honey – 2 tsp.

You can also add star anise, fennel seeds, coriander, mint, nutmeg, black pepper and other similar spices and herbs to your taste.

How to brew masala tea?

Pour cold filtered water into a small saucepan, add ground cinnamon, cloves, cardamom.

When the mixture boils, the heat must be reduced. First peel the ginger root and grate it finely.

For tea you will need one teaspoon. Add grated ginger to the spice mixture and simmer over low heat for about 5-6 minutes.

Remove the saucepan with Indian tea from the heat, strain and, for convenience, pour into a teapot. Add lemon juice to the kettle.

Finally, add honey and mix everything.