Today’s food focus is on chai.

Chai is a sweet and spicy tea that originated in India. Chai is a blend of black tea, milk, spices, and a sweetener, such as honey or sugar. The most common spices used are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.

The word “chai” is Hindi for “tea” and comes from the Chinese word “cha”. Chai is also known as masala chai, which translates to “spiced tea” in Hindi. Recipes for chai vary across continents, cultures, towns, and families.

Chai is quickly growing in popularity throughout the world. Many coffee and tea houses use the term “chai latte” or “chai tea latte” to indicate that their version is made with steamed milk.

 

History

Chai originated in India and has been around for thousands of years.  Legend has it that a king in India created the recipe for chai as a healing Ayurvedic beverage. Ayurveda is a traditional medicinal practice that uses herbs and spices for healing. The drink was made with a mixture of spices and herbs known as “masala”.  Chai is also sometimes called Masala Chai. The king may have developed chai to stay alert during long hours in court.  Chai was served hot or cold as a remedy for mild ailments.

Chai is one of the oldest tea-based drinks in the world. It is made by brewing black tea with milk, sugar, and spices. The traditional chai latte is made with black tea and hot milk. Chai has played a significant role in the social and cultural life of many countries. In India, chai is often served as a gesture of hospitality and is an important part of daily life.

The British tea industry planted tea plantations in India in the late 19th century. The British wanted Indians to drink tea, but Indians weren’t interested. Chai has become an important part of India’s culture.

Chai has many household and regional variations. In America, “chai” has become known as a flavor of tea with predominantly cinnamon or cardamom notes. Chai tea became popular in the United States in the early 1990s when Starbucks popularized their version of the drink. The chai that Starbucks serves is made from a syrupy concentrate and is very sweet and cinnamony. Chai has been served in Indian restaurants in the United States since the 1940s.  The founder of Oregon Chai introduced their version of black tea to the United States in 1994.

Today, chai is consumed all over the world. Popular American coffee chains market chai lattes and seasonal spiced drinks. Supermarket chains have also reported increased sales of prepackaged chai bags.

 

Fun Facts about Chai

• Chai is a drink that originated in India and has been enjoyed for over 5,000 years.
• The official name for chai is masala chai, which means “spice blend”. Chai is lower in caffeine than coffee.
• The caffeine in chai acts differently than in coffee because of its interaction with tannin. Tannin has a calming effect on the nervous system.
• Chai was originally made without tea leaves. It was used by Ayurvedic practitioners for holistic healing.
• The early name for masala chai was “Kadha”, which means “medicine” in Hindi. It was considered a magical drink that could cure communicable diseases.
• Chai is widespread with many household and regional variations. The American version is called a “chai latte”.

 

Chai tea has many health benefits, including:

• Antioxidants: Chai tea is high in antioxidants, which can help prevent degenerative diseases and certain cancers. The antioxidants in black tea include flavonoids and polyphenols. Ginger contains gingerol, and cinnamon and cloves contain eugenol.
• Cardiovascular health: Chai tea can help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Cardamom is said to be a heart healer, and cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar levels. Black tea can also lower bad cholesterol.
• Digestion: Ginger in chai tea can help improve circulation and deliver oxygen to organs.
• Immune system: Chai tea can help support a healthy immune system. Cardamom contains high doses of vitamin C, which can help fend off the common cold and flu.
• Weight loss: Chai tea has low caffeine and antioxidants that can help burn fat.
• Energy: Chai tea can provide energy to improve brain and heart health.

Chai tea also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory effects of the spices in chai tea may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

 

Here is a recipe for Chai for you to Try:

Authentic chai tea made from:

• Water
• Milk (in a ratio of roughly one part milk to two parts water.
• Lots of tea leaves or tea bags for strong infusion
• Plenty of sugar
• Optional addition of spices

Ingredients:

• 8 oz water
• 4 oz whole milk
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 heaping tablespoon of black tea.

Add any (or all) of the following spices to taste:

• 4 smashed cardamom pods
• small piece of cinnamon stick
• ¼ ” coin of fresh ginger
• pinch of fennel seeds about 10 seeds

 

You may also consider some of the most common spices used in Indian chai:

• cinnamon sticks (or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon)
• fresh ginger
• whole cloves
• green cardamom pods (or a pinch of ground cardamom)
• nutmeg
• allspice
• star anise
• fennel
• black peppercorns

 

Instructions:

1. Bring water and milk to a simmer with desired spices in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to lowest setting and add tea. Steep until tea takes on a deep, pinky-tan color, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Strain into a cup and stir in sugar to taste.

 

 

Consumption

Chai tea is most popular in India, where it is considered the country’s most popular beverage.

India is one of the world’s largest tea producers and consumers.

Chai is a warm drink made from Assam black tea, milk, sugar, and aromatic spices.

It is said that an Indian king created the recipe as a healing Ayurvedic beverage.

Chai has also become popular in the United States, Australia, and Europe. It is a trendy favorite in coffee shops and a popular at-home treat.

Chai is also popular in East Africa, the Caribbean, and the GCC, where it is known as Karak Tea or Chai Karak.

Chai tea is consumed an average of 1.64 times per year. Chai tea is a black tea that is infused with ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. It is the national drink of India, where 837,000 tonnes of tea are consumed each year.

Globally, 6.8 billion kg of tea is consumed per year. Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. In 2020, the global annual tea consumption was 273 billion liters.

In 2021, China’s domestic tea consumption exceeded 2.3 million tonnes. India produced over 1.2 billion kilograms of tea in the fiscal year 2022.

 

Celebrating Chai

National Chai Day is celebrated on September 21st to appreciate the healthy and beneficial drink. SomruS founded National Chai Day on September 21, 2018. To celebrate, you can:

• Pour yourself a cup of chai.
• Enjoy your chai with a friend or two.

Chai is more than just a simple cup of tea for people in India. It is a lasting source of comfort and connects people to their heritage. So let us know in the comments how you will celebrate the age old tradition of Chai.