Just about every tourist in India takes a picture of a chaiwallah expertly mixing milk into an aluminum tea kettle, sitting cross-legged in a tea stall. Everyone knows Chai – the spicy, sweet, milky tea drink that is served everywhere. What may not be so well known is that it originated in India and is ubiquitous. The word “Chai” (the 'ch is pronounced like 'chair') means Tea in India. The connotation here in the U.S., however, is definitely that of a Spiced Drink, not just a regular cup of Tea. In India, that spiced drink would always be referred to as Masala Chai. Masala = spice. Chai = tea. There are as many types of Masala Chai in India as there are...
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