"KEEP CALM & DRINK TEA"
Masala chai is a flavored tea beverage made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices and herbs. In India its not just the beverage but the habit! Why?
For finding an answer to this we need to travel back to 1823 when tea was introduced formally to Indians by the British who intended to overthrow China’s monopoly on tea, having found that Indian soil was eminently suitable to cultivate these plants. The evidence of local plants was a great indication that the soil was right for transplanting Chinese seedlings and it was the Assam valley and the looming mountains of Darjeeling that were chosen as early sites for tea planting. After many unsuccessful attempts over 14 long years, tea production in India began to boom, enabling the production of a tea that was equal, if not better, than its Chinese counterpart. India became, and remains, one of the largest tea producers in the world – second only to China.
Various masala chai variants may be Cardamom Chai, Lemongrass Chai, and ginger tea which are most famous in Indian households. One of the most favorites is Masala chai enjoyed especially during the monsoon and cold winters along with some hot onion pakodas.
Masala, meaning the mixture of spices like star anise, green cardamom, fennel, cloves, cinnamon, paper corn, and nutmeg, is brewed along with milk tea. Tea drinking itself has evolved in many ways, with every region of this vast country making their own chai variants.
Health-conscious people can just add jaggery, ginger, and cardamom with black tea and it tastes delicious. Tea reduces inflammation, improves digestion, and helps beat fatigue. It's often consumed as a stimulant & as a refreshing drink at different times of the day. Masala Chai is often served with evening snacks almost daily among families in India or even on special occasions. It's 'cheap, addictive, and easily available' hot beverage providing us with our superpowers to get going!
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