 The traditional "masala chai" is a spiced beverage brewed with different proportions of warming spices.The spice mixture, called karha, uses a base of ground ginger and green cardamom pods.Other spices are usually added to this "karha" including one or more of cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, peppercorn, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom seeds, ginger root, honey, vanilla, and other spices.