Three Cheers For Masala Chai
By our team of in-house writers.
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First publised on 2024-01-21 06:52:54
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By our team of in-house writers.
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If you are a connoisseur of fine teas, you will thumb your nose at the 'concoction' dished out as masala tea. But the fact is, as Taste Atlas has certified, Masala Chai is the second best non-alcoholic beverage in the world, just behind Aguas Frescas, a fruit-and-cereal-based drink from Mexico.
Masala Chai, as made in households across India and also by street vendors, is a piping hot drink made of equal amount of water and milk boiled with sugar and black tea. It is the masala which is added as flavor when the liquid just starts boiling, that makes it different. As for the masala, there are innumerable variants with different ingredients with the simplest being adding a dash of crushed ginger, clove or cardamom to the complex flavor of a masala-mix with more than 10 ingredients which may include ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, lemongrass, cinnamon, black pepper and more as per regional or local preferences.
To some, this is not tea at all as it takes the form of a kadha (the traditional Indian drink used as an immunity-booster or for relief against cough and cold). While it is true that the flavor of the tea is completely lost in the strong and aromatic flavors of the various spices, it is also true that to those who like their tea this way, it enhances the taste.
Acknowledging the increased preference for masala chai, a host of pre-mixes with various spices, earlier available in big stores or online, are making their presence felt in most kirana, and even pan, shops across the country. Priced at Rs 10-15, these pre-mixes are great for those who are in a hurry as they just need to boil water, add the powder in the sachet and their piping hot masala chai is ready.
While the debate will go on whether tea should be had without milk and sugar to get the perfect taste or with milk, sugar and masala, those who have Masala Chai do not care as their choicest drink has become the second best in the world.
