Classical Ayurvedic Profile & Preparation
India's answer to tea's dryness — ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and clove simmered with milk turn a rough stimulant into a warming, workable daily drink.
Traditional Preparation (Samskara)
Simmer crushed spices with tea, add milk and boil once; sweeten modestly — the spices, not the sugar, are the point.
Classical Provenance: Pan-Indian tradition.
Synergistic Combinations (Samyoga)
- ginger-forward in monsoon and winter
- cardamom-forward for pitta
- after breakfast rather than empty stomach
Contraindications & Viruddha Āhāra (Food Incompatibilities)
- Contraindication: empty-stomach acidity
- Contraindication: insomnia (afternoon onward)
- Contraindication: excess sugar habit (the chai trap)
Verified USDA Nutrition Facts for Masala chai
Complete macronutrient, vitamin, and mineral profile per 100 grams and per 1 cup (240g):
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving (1 cup) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (Calories) | 37 kcal | 89 kcal |
| Protein | 1.4 g | 3.4 g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 4.8 g | 11.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g | 11.8 g |
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 3.3 g |
| Calcium | 52.7 mg | 126.6 mg |
| Iron | 0.00 mg | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium | 5.1 mg | 12.3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 43.3 mg | 103.9 mg |
| Potassium | 64 mg | 154 mg |
| Sodium | 16 mg | 39 mg |
| Zinc | 0.18 mg | 0.43 mg |
| Copper | 0.00 mg | 0.00 mg |
| Manganese | 0.00 mg | 0.00 mg |
| Selenium | 0.8 µg | 2.0 µg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 13.7 µg | 32.9 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.02 mg | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin K | 0.1 µg | 0.3 µg |
| Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 0.02 mg | 0.06 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 0.06 mg | 0.14 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 0.04 mg | 0.11 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.03 mg | 0.06 mg |
| Choline | 7.6 mg | 18.3 mg |
