Masala chai (/tʃɑːɪ/; Hindi: मसाला चाय, literally "mixed-spice tea"; Marathi (चहा) ; Urdu: مصالحہ چائے‎; Nepali: मसलेदार चिया; Bengali: মসলা চা; Gujarati: મસાલા ચા) is a flavoured tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. Originating in India, the beverage has gained worldwide popularity, becoming a feature in many coffee and tea houses. Although traditionally prepared by a decoction of green cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, ground ginger, and black peppercorn together with black tea leaves, retail versions include tea bags for infusion, instant powdered mixtures, and concentrates. In some places the term "chai" alone can refer to the beverage.