Indian Masala Chai

Masala chai (Hindi: मसाला चाय, literally “mixed-spice tea” Urdu: مصالحہ چاےٴ) is a flavored tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. Originating in South Asia, the beverage has gained worldwide popularity, becoming a feature in many coffee and tea houses.

The traditional masala chai is a spiced beverage brewed with different proportions of warming spices. The spice mixture, called Karha, uses a base of ground ginger and green cardamom pods. Other spices are usually added to this base or karha. For example, most masala chai found on the street, in restaurants or in homes incorporates one or more of the following along with ginger and cardamom, namely: cinnamon, star anise and/or fennel seeds, peppercorn, and cloves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masala_chai