Chai Masala Gelato

Posted On April 25, 2021

Spring is in the air! The weather is getting nicer, flowers are starting to bloom and nature seems to be waking up from its slumber. Now that winter is over, it’s the perfect time for some frozen treats! To beat the heat, I thought of making gelato, but specifically Chai masala Gelato. Chai is an indian tea brewed with black tea, milk, water and a whole bunch of warm spices. I’m an avid tea drinker. I love my morning cup of tea and like to add all kinds of spices like cinnamon stick, star anise, cardamoms, cloves, black peppers, ginger, and some chai masala! I like my tea strong, heavy on spices and masala, lightly sweetened and with a generous amount of milk. Did that bring you in the mood for a piping hot cup of tea?

Lately I’ve been trying out non-conventional flavors in ice cream and gelato. I was sipping my tea one morning and thought that the warmness of the chai masala would go well with creamy gelato. Its not just awesome, its irresistible!

What is Chai Masala?

Chai masala is an aromatic blend of whole spices like Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, nutmeg, and star anise. This masala makes Indian tea very flavorful, aromatic and just perfect. Every household in India has their own recipe of Chai masala and Cha aka Chai aka Tea. The common ingredients in the tea are water, milk, sugar and lea leaves. Some enjoy their tea with lots of ginger, or some enjoy with cardamom, or some enjoy with tea spice masala and some like me wants it all in their tea!

You can make the chai spice masala at home as well. Recently I partnered with PUR Spices and they sent me their Kuch Kuch masala gift pack which has Milk masala, Chai masala, Green chutney masala, Mirch masala and Achaar masala. I used the Chai Masala from the gift pack to make my tea today and trust me it was a fantastic tea! It’s absolutely perfect and tastes just like homemade. This Chai masala by PUR Spices is so good, and it adds a very authentic taste!

What is Gelato?

Gelato is a popular frozen dessert of Italian origin. Gelato, the Italian ice cream is denser and smoother than regular ice cream. It has a lower amount of fat, and is churned more slowly than ice cream which incorporates less air. Because of this, gelato’s flavor is richer than ice cream and so creamy that it melts in your mouth.

I have big sweet tooth. Desserts and chocolates are my weakness and my love for tea is well known. I thought of combining these two and made this super delicious Chai Masala Gelato. If you love making homemade Ice cream / Gelato, then this easy Peanut Butter Ice Cream, Fresh Fig and Toasted Walnut Ice Cream, and Baileys Ice Cream would win your heart and tastebuds.

How to make Chai Masala Gelato?

• Put the freezer bowl of ice cream maker in the freezer at least 24 hours in advance. This is a very necessary step.
• In a saucepan, heat up the milk, sugar, pinch of salt, vanilla extract, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, star anise, cardamom pods, tea leaves and some chai masala by PUR Spices. Heat the mixture until the mixture reaches 170 degrees. Do not boil. Cover and remove from heat. Steep for 30 minutes to extract all the flavors!
• While the tea and milk are steeping, whisk the sugar with 5 egg yolks until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. Set aside.
• Fill a large glass or metal pan with ice cubes. Put another bowl inside the bowl filled with ice cubes. Add the heavy whipping cream to the bowl set in the ice bath. Place a fine mesh sieve over the cream and set aside.
• After the tea and milk mixture has steeped for 30 minutes, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the whole spices and tea leaves. Gently press the tea leaves to release any milk and flavors inside. Discard the spices and tea leaves.
• Pour the Chai flavored milk back into the sauce pan and heat on medium flame to 170 degrees.
• Temper the eggs by slowly drizzling a little hot chai milk into the eggs while whisking constantly. I like to add one small ladle full of hot chai milk at a time, whisking constantly until the next ladle. Make sure that eggs don’t get scramble. Slowly increase the temperature of eggs while cooking them to a safe temperature.
• Once half of hot chai milk has been added to the eggs, pour the egg and milk mixture back into the remaining chai milk in the saucepan. Heat on medium flame, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula until the mixture reaches 185 degrees.
• Remove from the heat and if the mixture is not smooth, emulsify with an immersion blender.
• Pour the hot Chai+egg mixture through the fine mesh sieve in the heavy cream set over the ice bath. Stir occasionally while cooling, for about 30 minutes. Cover the mixture and refrigerate the mixture for 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Follow your ice cream maker manufacturers(I use Cuisinart Ice cream/sorbet maker) directions and pour the mixture in the freezer bowl. Let it churn. Gelato would be ready in 30 minutes. Freeze the finished Gelato for several hours before serving.
• Enjoy!