Sipping The Winter Goodness: 5 Top Spices To Add To Your Chai To Boost Immunity

Suppose you're feeling under the weather, and you're searching for a warm drink to relieve your congested sinuses. You heat up a mix of water and milk, add a spoon of black tea leaves and some sweetener, then brew a soothing, steaming cup of chai. Savored by people globally, drinking a warm cup of chai has provided generations with a rich tradition each morning. It provides health advantages similar to green tea, and is abundant in amino acids like L-Theanine, known for enhancing focus and stabilising energy. Especially in winter, a hot cup of chai can fight various infections and diseases. Did you know, however, that incorporating different spices can further enhance this potent beverage? If you're curious to know more, read on to discover the variety of spices you can add to your chai to fortify your immune system.

Also check out: How to Make Hyderabadi Dum Chai, a Creamy Chai Recipe Tailored for Comfort.

Adding crushed black pepper to your warm cup of chai offers various health benefits. Packed with piperine, black pepper aids in nutrient absorption, maintains stable blood sugar, and reduces inflammation. The warming effect of black pepper can also comfort your respiratory system and relieve sinus congestion. A pinch of crushed black pepper can enrich both the flavor and healthful profile of your chai, augmenting the natural sweetness.

In cold seasons, ginger or adark is an ideal addition to your daily chai. This spice, renowned for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can relieve your nasal tract and mitigate respiratory distress. Grating ginger into your chai, green, or black tea not only imparts a scrumptious taste but also imbues it with gingerol, a compound known for boosting immunity. Additionally, this warm cup of tea with ginger can aid in digestion and metabolism.

Not only is cardamom or elaichi known for its enticing flavour, but for centuries it has been used in traditional medicine. This spice is loaded with essential nutrients like vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, potassium and other antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and promote overall well-being. A few crushed cardamom pods added to your chai can produce a flavorful blend that also enhances your immunity.

Clove or Laung, when added to chai, complements its sweet flavour. It's packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it an immaculate spice for your daily chai. Laung boasts valuable antioxidant components like vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, and gallic acid, which heighten metabolism and promote healthy skin. Moreover, this spice is rich in eugenol, renowned for boosting immunity. Enhancing your regular tea with cloves can improve its taste and assist in combating flu and cold.

Cinnamon or dal chini lends a warm, sweet flavor and protects against various infections during cold seasons. This spice contains potent antioxidants like beta carotene, alpha carotene and choline. These regulate blood sugar levels and can support heart health. Adding a cinnamon stick to your brewing tea will result in a pleasantly aromatic drink, alleviating colds, coughs, flu and sore throats.

Find the full Masala Chai recipe here.

Also read: Discover India's Rich Tea Culture With 8 Unique Chais from Across the Country.