All About India?s Personal Favourite - Chai Tea

Posted by Carol on July 7th, 2017

What is Chai tea?

Intense, vibrant and indulgent, Masala Chai tea consists of all these characteristics, making it a true Indian traditional favourite. It is made from a combination of exotic spices along with strong tea leaves, and is prepared in a solution of sugar and hot milk. The spices used in traditional Masala Chai tea include cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, ground cloves, black peppercorn and ground ginger. These spices are finally mixed with black tea leaves, to give you the perfect aromatic taste.

Tea in India

Tea is perhaps the only traditional beverage that holds widespread favouritism to date. There are several types of tea preparations, each different from the other. Here is a list of a few popular types of Indian tea:

• Cutting Chai- it is a sweet tea preparation with milk, and the name comes from its availability either in a whole glass or cutting (half glass).
• Masala Chai- This type of Chai tea is mixed with lots of traditional spices and is brewed with sugar and milk.
• Kahwah- a special type of tea prepared with saffron, cinnamon and cardamom, served with walnuts, almonds, honey and sugar.
• Adhrak Wali Chai- a strong tea preparation with lots of ginger and addition of milk, in the end, making it healthy and more fragrant.
• Kaali Chai- simple preparation of black tea traditionally.
• Maalai Maar ke Chai- it’s a tea preparation with lots of heavy cream and sugar.
• Kadak Chai- it is a strong tea with little milk and sugar.
• Ronga Saah- it is a light Assamese red tea preparation.
• Kulhad Chai- this tea is served in small clay pots that add the earthen flavour.
• Noon Chai- it is a preparation of tea with salt, milk, almonds, pistachios, cardamom and cinnamon.
• Lembu Chai- it is a preparation of tea with lemon juice.
• Gavati Chai- mild tea with lemongrass, a perfect preparation.
• Tulsi Ki Chai- it is the herbal tea prepared with a few Tulsi leaves.

Popularity of Indian masala chai tea outside India

Chai is now loved outside India as well. All credit goes to numerous loose tea suppliers in India, who export high-quality teas to a majority of countries in the West and the East. The western coffee - consuming countries have come up with innovative ways to incorporate this beverage in western recipes They use several tea flavours in baked products such as biscuits, pumpkin pies or butter tarts to enhance the flavours of their dishes.

Just like a coffee latte, chai latte is also quite famous in European countries like Germany and France. Whereas, masala chai is well known in the East African and South American coasts.

Although tea bags are more popular outside India, loose tea suppliers in India have made an increasing effort in the past few years in exporting high-quality loose tea leaves. This is because the leaves used in tea bags are mainly flavourless dust, and as a result, they compromise the quality of the tea. But on the other hand, loose leaf or full- leaf is light in flavour and carry the aroma and fragrance that is required to make an exquisite and decent cup of tea.

Chai tea is something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. No matter where you come from, owing to the medicinal and aromatic properties of this beverage it shall forever be a cherished favourite, across the globe.