For 46 years, we’ve been serving Hyderabad’s iconic Irani Chai, and we’ve learned a thing or two about brewing the perfect cup. Today, we’re sharing our secrets so you can recreate this legendary experience in your own kitchen.

What Makes Irani Chai Special?

Irani Chai is more than just tea—it’s a cultural institution in Hyderabad. Born from the Irani cafes that dotted the city in the early 20th century, this unique style of tea is characterized by its strong flavor, creamy texture, and the perfect balance of sweetness and strength.

The Essential Ingredients

1. The Right Tea Start with quality. Our Royal Hyderabadi Irani Chai is specifically blended with 10% extra-strong premium leaves to achieve that authentic kadak (strong) flavor.

2. Fresh Milk Full-cream milk is traditional, but you can adjust based on preference. The milk-to-water ratio is crucial—typically 1:1 for authentic Irani Chai.

3. Sugar Irani Chai is traditionally sweet. Start with 1-2 teaspoons per cup and adjust to taste.

The Perfect Brewing Method

Step 1: Boil the Water (2 minutes) Bring water to a rolling boil in your pot. Use fresh, filtered water for the best taste.

Step 2: Add Tea Leaves (1 minute) Add 1 teaspoon of Irani Chai per cup plus one extra for the pot. Let it boil vigorously. This releases the full flavor and color.

Step 3: Add Milk (3-4 minutes) Pour in equal parts milk. When it begins to rise, lower the heat slightly and let it simmer. The longer it simmers, the stronger the flavor.

Step 4: The Perfect Timing Watch for the color—a beautiful reddish-brown indicates perfect brewing. Total brewing time: 6-8 minutes.

Step 5: Strain and Sweeten Strain into cups, add sugar while hot, stir well, and serve immediately.

Pro Tips from Our Tea Masters

The Double Boil Technique For extra strong chai, boil the tea leaves twice—once in water, then again after adding milk.

The Aeration Method Pour the chai from a height between two vessels. This creates froth and enhances flavor.

Temperature Matters Serve Irani Chai hot but not scalding—around 65-70°C (150-160°F) is ideal.

The Biscuit Pairing Traditionally enjoyed with Osmania biscuits or rusk. The slightly salty biscuit complements the sweet chai perfectly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Tea Bags: Loose leaf tea is essential for authentic flavor
2. Not Boiling Enough: Irani Chai needs vigorous boiling to develop its character
3. Wrong Milk Ratio: Too much water makes weak chai; too much milk makes it heavy
4. Adding Milk Too Soon: Let the tea leaves release their essence in water first
5. Rushing the Process: Good chai can’t be hurried

Regional Variations to Try

Hyderabadi Style: Strong, sweet, with equal milk and water Bombay Cutting: Half portion served in small glasses Kadak Chai: Extra strong with less milk Malai Maar Ke: With a cream layer on top

Making It Your Own

Once you master the basic recipe, experiment:

• Add a pinch of cardamom for aromatic twist
• Try our Cardamom Tea for pre-spiced convenience
• Adjust milk-water ratio for your preferred strength
• Experiment with sweetness levels

The ROYALsTea Difference

Our Irani Chai blend is specially crafted to recreate the authentic café experience. Handpicked from Assam’s finest gardens and blended using traditional methods, it captures the essence of Hyderabad’s tea culture in every cup.

Final Thoughts

Perfect Irani Chai is about more than following a recipe—it’s about understanding the rhythm of brewing, the sound of the boil, the color of the liquor, and the aroma that fills your kitchen. With practice and quality tea, you’ll master this art.

Ready to brew your perfect cup? Explore our Irani Chai collection and bring Hyderabad’s legendary taste to your home.