The popular milk tea between locals is called Karak Tea or Chai Karak. Many locals head to small Karak joints in the neighborhood before they commute to work and get the famous drink along with egg and cheese Paratha (a greasy flat bread originated in India).
The tea is made of loose black tea, crushed cardamon, evaporated milk and sugar.
It’s a very inexpensive drink, but locals find it the best cup of joe; the tea version to start the day with. Karak Tea is also a whole day sensation that you might find in thermals in offices or local familie’s houses. People flock to these karak joints all day and drink them form the comfort of their cars, as most these small tea places serve only karak to go.
Recipe:
- 2 cups water
- 3 teaspoons black tea leaves
- 2 pods of cardamom crushed
- 1/8 teaspoon of saffron
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk if using cardamom flavoured evaporated milk, then there’s no need to use cardamom pods.
Instructions
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In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
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Add the black tea to the boiling water and let it steep for a minute or so.
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Add the crushed cardamom and saffron and let the tea boil for 30 seconds or so.
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Now add the sugar and evaporated milk and bring it to boil. Remove from heat, and then put back on heat and bring to a boil again. Continue this for 5 minutes until the karak tea is a rich caramel color.
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Using a tea strainer, serve the tea in mugs immediately.
