Chai - Add some Spice to your Life!
Oct 02, 2020 |
Written by Anupa Mueller

- A regular cup of Chai (tea) hawked by chaiwallahs or vendors everywhere – at every shop, railway station, office and corner. This was borne out of necessity to take into account the need for a popular beverage without the readily available modern amenities of running water, refrigeration or sanitation. And tea is served and consumed everywhere, all day long. The solution was simple – boil water, milk and sugar along with tea and serve it in clay cups that could be tossed after each use. This is everyman’s drink and till today, found everywhere you go across the expanse of India.
- Masala Chai which is extremely popular in specific parts of India – particularly the South and West. Simplicity and taste were the only requirements for masala chai. The most popular spice additions were green cardamom or cinnamon. A slice of ginger or bit of anise seed could also be used. Again, the base is almost always water, milk and sugar boiled together to make a rich, creamy, delicious taste to which spice had been added. There is nothing high-end or fancy about this Chai and yet it is served here for $6 and $8/serving!
- Darjeeling and premium teas served in a Teapot along with milk and sugar to be added to taste. This is still the tea of choice in most of Bengal or Assam, and at all the fancy hotels and establishments all across India and the tea I grew up with.
- Chai, the Original Blend: This is the Chai blend most familiar to customers – a rich taste of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom with a touch of vanilla to enhance the creaminess.
- Choco Chai: Here’s something fun – we added chocolate chips and chocolate flavor to make this indulgent. When steeped, we add a generous dash of Chocolate Syrup which melts instantly in the hot beverage.
- Temple Chai: Clean & fragrant – served in temples and festivals all across India – we’ve kept only the fragrance of the green cardamom – no cinnamon or ginger. This is refreshing and delicious hot or iced.
- Herbal Chai: All the taste of our Original Blend Chai with none of the caffeine. We’ve replicated the blend on a rooibos base.
- Chai Zing: A tangy, refreshing addition to the Chai line. Also non-caffeinated, this is Rooibos with ginger, cinnamon and lemongrass.
- Add pumpkin puree to make Pumpkin Chai. Get the Recipe here.
- Add Fennel seeds to make Fennel Chai.
- Add Coconut flavoring and coconut shreds to made Coconut Chai.
- Add Black Pepper to give it that extra kick.
- Add ice cream to iced Chai make it a Chai Float.
- Bake some Chai-Spiced Tea Loaves. Get the Recipe here.