The Chai Tales

TEA 

The chai journey of India is really an interesting one. However it has to be noted that it commenced in the hands of the British East India Company ,who started the large-scale production of tea in Assam.China being the largest producer of tea ,India is the second largest and largest consumer of tea,consuming near about 30% of the total output of the world.
To peek into history what we find is, 'chai' was not the official name used.It was called the 'kada'. Kada uses leaves ,flowers , herbs and other natural ingredients for its medicinal properties . However ,many scholar have said that the ancient India knew chai to be 'soma' mentioned in Indian mythology.

There  have been many stories regarding the evolution of tea in India. Such one is noteworthy to mention. It is said that tea was discovered by an accident. The story goes, that a Buddhist monk on his way to China ,came across a local ritual to chew few wild leaves. On feeling rejuvinated ,he decided to bring it  back to India. Some historians also believed that it was used by Ashoka as a part of Court Culture which eventually came down to common people.

India officially used to be the largest tea producing nation for a century until China overtook due to the large availability of land. As early as 1907, an English Company, Brooke Bond , started distributing free samples .Consuming tea in India is no more just a mere beverage .Its the sentiment of Indians to enjoy the warmth ,the flavours tossing down your oesophagus ,leaving it to be felt and to soak in the sentiment attached to it, both physically and mentally.

The tea stalls today in India gives a glimpse of that whirling smoke and the fragrance catapaulting passers-by to halt and to have a 'chuski' of cutting chai. Lanes to stations, 7/- IRCTC chai to the 'labelled ' cafes ,serve the mind freshning popular beverage of India. The gossips over Indian Nationalism to political issues and not to forget about the high pitched argument over Mohanbagan and East Bengal all found place at these roadside tea stalls . Today the youth (some), due to the hard bash of cultural globalisation likes the Branded cafes over them. But what is important to note is that, Chai binds us all .

Fact :
The Pakistani Chai seller who gained popularity over night and currently working as a model. We all crushed him .😍

Lets talk about two trending methods of tea making :

1. TANDOORI CHAI

This was introduced in a shop called "Chai La The Tandoor Tea" in Pune. It is famous for the smokey flavour.

Step 1:
Heat a clay pot in raw high flame. Wait for it to get that burnt smokey smell and that colour the pot changes colour. You need to heat the pot from inside. Remove it and keep it aside. [Wash and dry the pot before use]
Step 2:
Take a vessel. Pour water and milk in 1:1 ratio. Wait for it to boil . Finally add sugar and tea and wait for the second boil on low to medium heat. Keep the decoction aside. Strain the tea.
Step 3:
Keep a flat bottomed vessel and place the pot in it. Pour the decoction in the pot. It will over flow. When the sprinkling sound ends put the tea in a cup. 
ENJOY!


2. IRANI CHAI 

This was originated in Persia .It's famous for the 'dum cooking' in high flame for 30-40 mins . Serve it with Osmania Biscuits.

The Soda Bottle Openner Wala

Step 1 :
Take a handi. Add 6 cups of water. Add 6 spoons of sugar and tea leaves each. Place the lid of the vessel and cook it 30-40 mins . Seal the lid with dough.
Step 2 :
Take a vessel . Pour 2 1/2 cups of full fat milk. Add 4 tbsp of condensed milk. Add 3-4 cardamom pods. Cook it for 10-15 mins in medium flame . Ensure you get a creamy milk. Turn off .
Step 3:
Turn off and open the handi . Open the lid in the opposite direction of your face . Otherwise your face might get that flame right on and burn.
Step 4 :
Pour the chai decoction in 1/4  of the cup. Add milk on top of it.
ENJOY !