Indian Chai: Facts with Recipe
Indian chai has a history that dates way back over 5000 years to ancient the courts of Siam and India. Historically Indians viewed Chai as a healing (herbal) medicine or it was rather discovered from a quest for herbal medicine and later used as a recreational beverage. Even today Chai for many people is part of their daily breakfast and afternoon treat.
In 1935 the British East India Company established tea plantations in Assam in an effort to reverse the overwhelming Chinese monopoly on tea supply to Great Britain. In 1870 approximately 90% of tea consumed in Great Britain was supplied by China but by 1900 this had reduced to 10% largely replaced by tea sourced in India and Ceylon.
Today, India is the world’s second largest producer of tea and over 70% of it is consumed within India. So you can say India basically runs on Chai and this chai is to die for. Here’s a recipe of Chai fill with energy that would last you for whole day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 tsp strong Indian Chai or 3 Lipton tea bags will do
- ½ tsp of Chai Masala (Optional)
- ½ tsp grated ginger or 2-3 pieces of sliced
- 3 or 4 small pieces of fresh lemongrass
- 2 tbsp sugar or to your taste- Pour water in small stainless steel pot- Bring it to boil on high heat (about 3-4 minutes).- Allow the tea to boil on for a minute. Your tea is ready so strain it with a strainer into the cup. Serve Chai (Indian Tea) with Tea Biscuits or Tea Toast or Rusks.
- – Add milk and bring it boil again on medium heat until it starts bubbling again (make sure it doesn’t overflow).
- – Once it starts bubbling add tea powder.
- – Place on stove with high heat then add grated or sliced ginger, crushed cardamom and sugar.
- Instructions
