Flavors of India: Masala Chai
What is Masala Chai?
Masala Chai is black tea, flavored with the perfect blend of spices, milk and sugar. Masala means “spice” and Chai means “tea”, so it really translates to just “spice tea”. The exact ingrediants vary by recipe, but it is usually a combination of: ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, black pepper, cinnamon, fennel or star anise.
Chai Culture
Indian food varies greatly depending on the location, and India is a vast country. However, the one thing that unifies all these regions is Chai!
This Indian staple can be found at nearly any cafe or restaurant, and is enjoyed at all hours of the day. It is served piping hot and usually in a tiny glass (like a shot glass!). This can be a learning curve for westerners who are used to giant mugs of coffee to be sipped on over time. To hold the glass of chai you must grab it from the top and bottom as the sides are scorching hot! It is a symbol of Indian hospitality and is usually offered at clothing or jewelry stores and markets while patrons shop.
History of Chai
During British colonization of India, the tea trading business was in need of a boost. British rulers began mandating “tea breaks” for Indian workers as a way to promote tea drinking and appeal to a wider market. Inspired by Ayurvedic techniques, Indians began adding milk and spices to the black tea -to the disgrace of British employers. Chai stands began popping up everywhere, despite British attempts to squash them. Chai became more popular than anyone could imagine.
In the western world, a certain coffee conglomerate began making and marketing its own version of masala chai. Unfortunately, this American recipe is very cinnamon heavy, incredibly sugary, and watered down. This might be more appealing to the mainstream American palate, but it is not an accurate rendition of an Indian chai recipe. Furthermore, this coffee chain encouraged the phrase “chai tea” which is completely redundant, as “chai” means “tea”. This is akin to saying “I’ll have a coffee coffee”.
Benefits of Chai
According to Ayurveda, masala chai is balancing for all doshas. It stimulates digestive fire (agni) and supports digestion. It is grounding, nourishing and sustains energy. It improves your mood, reduces inflammation, and supports immunity. Chai is simply an all around wonderful beverage!
