Pressure Cooker, Instant Pot, Spiced Milk Tea (Masala Chai)

My sister was coming to visit. That meant I would have to clean my house and stock up on chai tea. My sister does not drink coffee, but she consumes chai tea, by the pitcher. So, I was trying to figure out how to make it, when I then started thinking about showing her how to use her Instant Pot, since I got her one for Christmas, but she hasn’t even opened it as yet. My mother called me the other day to tell me it’s still in the original box on her dining room table.

Like most new Instant Pot users it does look intimating. The first time I used mine, I literally brought it outside for it to “explode,” obviously nothing happened that night, except for being becoming addicted to the Instant Pot. (Maybe we could start a support group?)

So, let’s talk about masala chai, it’s one of the most popular drinks in India, but it’s sold at all high-end coffee shops in America (and probably elsewhere). I learned from my research that the name comes from chai wallahs or tea vendors, and since Americans had a hard time saying wallahs, we just took that part off and call it chai.  Masala, which I didn’t know, means any number of spices ground into a powder/paste for Indian cooking. Thank you google dictionary for both means.

Now, to make this chai masala, you actually only need a few key ingredients, and you probably have the rest in your home already.

The main things you will have to purchase for this recipe:

Chai Tea Bags

Cardamom pods (I actually use these a lot, and I already had them)

The rest of the stuff, you can find in your cabinets or at your local grocery store, without any problem.

This is the chai tea I used. (The link is in the recipe notes)

Then in an Instant Pot safe bowl, that will fit in your Instant Pot, place the tea bags, water, milk, and spices

Then wrap it up in foil.

Then add the water and trivet into the Instant Pot.

Place the bowl into the Instant Pot, onto the trivet.

Set manual high pressure for 4 minutes.

Uncover and pour into cups.

Note: To be safe, I wanted to mention that if you are trying to lift out the Instant Pot, when you do Pot in Pot, you really should invest in these special Mitts.

Kitchen Items Used: (* Note: Affiliate links are included)

Instant Pot Smart Du060 (I also made this in my mini, to make sure it works)

J.A. Henckels 6-Inch High Carbon Stainless Steel Chef’s Kitchen Knife

Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, 5 Piece Set

Hudson Essentials Stainless Steel Measuring Cups Set-6 Piece Stackable Set with Spout

Anchor Glass Measuring Set–This is one of the handiest tools in the Kitchen 

Italian Olive Wood Spatula (I LOVE THis for my IP)

XL Bamboo Cutting Board

OXO Good Grips 12 Inch Stainless-Steel Locking Tongs

Silicone Pot Holders, made just for the IP (If you don’t have a pair, get a pair, because they prevent burns)

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