Masala chai is the lifeblood of India. Served in scant shot glasses from dawn until way past dusk, this beverage is EVERYWHERE you look. It’s in little makeshift cafes, sold by chai-wallahs at every bus station, train station and street corner, and brewing in every home.

I’ll never forget sitting in open-air chai shops in India, drinking creamy, ultra-sweet masala chai. Authentic chai is made with thick buffalo milk, black tea, spices and considerably too much sugar.

Many pe