What does chai tea mean?

Hot drinks are, without a doubt, one of the greatest joys in life. Whether it’s tea or coffee, a steaming cup can make even the gloomiest day a little bit brighter. But what happens when you add spices to that mix? That’s right – you get chai tea! This spicy and flavorful beverage has made its way across continents, making it one of the most beloved hot drinks out there.

What is Chai?

Okay, before we dive deeper into this topic, let’s establish what chai actually is. Chai is not just any old cup of tea. No no no – this drink originated in India and is crafted by steeping black tea leaves with warm spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger. Then milk and sugar complete this wonderful concoction used for soothing our taste buds.

Chai has been consumed in India for centuries – long before Starbucks introduced their version to North America (sadly) deeming itself ‘chai latte’.

The Origins of Chai

The word “chai” itself means “tea” in Hindi (and several other languages), so technically speaking you could argue that saying “chai tea” is redundant…but where would be fun in that? While people see chai as an Indian drink , some believe its origins lie elsewhere on earth (cue dramatic music)

Some historical accounts claim khãmi chaio(Chinese spice blend) spread along trade routes into Mongol Empire which later brought it into India through Silk Road trading channels.. While others say different countries like Persia(modern day Iran) and Tibet contributed towards forming Kashmiri Qahwa/Pink Tea from which today’s ‘Masala’ chai likely evolved.

While we’ll never truly know precisely how Masala chai came about but does it really matter?! It’s widely enjoyed for its pleasant aroma, warm spices and bold flavour.

The Love Affair Continues

As the world kept progressing, masala chai began to spread. Many people worldwide found that chai tea offered some benefits beyond just being delicious! Chai has been historically used in Ayurvedic medicine (India’s traditional system of medicine) as a remedy against common ailments like colds and flu , reducing inflammation thanks to it containing ginger, pepper etc spices known for their pain-relieving properties…some even swear by chai as an aphrodisiac (cheeky grin)

As people were turning more towards healthy living, green tea emerged as a trend that eventually led to ‘chaiwala’ introducing spiced milkless version “Kadak” or “the strong one”. Unlike ‘Masala /spice mixed chai which masks bitterness with spice blends , Kadak is brewed out of pure Indian black Assam leaves only making this drink quite bitter but caffeine rich while also promoting weight loss according to popular belief (well mostly because it’s bereft of sugar).

It comes down to preference – whether you prefer your chai hot or cold; sweetened or not at all – there is always a way to enjoy this beloved beverage.

How Do You Make Chai?

Chai teas aren’t created equal nor are they available easily outside India so here is simple & comforting recipe on how you can make your very own cup from scratch at home!

What You Need:

• A saucepan
• Water
• Black Tea bags or Tea Leaves
• Warm Spices(preferably whole) : Cinnamon Sticks,Ginger(root), Cloves,Peppecorns,Fennel seeds.
• Milk(Whichever you like)
• Sugar/Honey/Maple Syrup

Instructions:

1. Boil water + Add cinnamon sticks into it and let them simmer until the water turns cinnamon-y
2. Add in ginger, cloves, fennel seeds and peppercorns into the pot
3. Brew your tea: 3 to 5 minutes should do it. If you’re using tea bags soak them for longer
4. Strain spices from the water once you stir well
5. Pour milk (preferably whole), now that it’s reduced add sugar/honey/maple syrup – as per taste.
6. Bring back up to boil but be careful not to let it overflow!

And voila! You’ve got yourself some chai.

The Perfect Chai-der

“Chai-cider”? I hear you ask what’s this now? Well picture cool autumn evening and how comforting a fabulous ‘mulled drink’ sounds with a perfect blend of refreshing apple cider & warming Indian spices(aahh our imagination runs wild just talking about it)…that right there is the very literal meaning of “chai cider”, baby!

So for those who are ready, here’s how one can make their own spiced apple cider:

What You Need:

• Apple Cider
• Black Tea Leaves or Heavy Spice Blend
• Assorted Spices like Whole Cloves,Cinnamon Sticks,Fresh Ginger(Root),Pink/Premium Salt etc.
• Honey(maybe?)

Instructions:

1.Place all ingredients(including loose black leaves)in large saucepan and bring mixture to simmering point(Boil)
2.Cover pan then reduce heat..allow spice mixtures extract flavor set aside everything overnight
3.Strain out solids; give ’em a good ole squeeze!
4.Put mixture back in your saucepan and place on stovetop over LOW heat until warmed through.
5.Ladle this fragrant blending of flavours hot off stove top while enjoying wonderful aroma chillax by fire pit(if possible)

Crank up some soothing tunes and see how that feels, now THAT is what we call a perfect combination of tea & cider!

Chai Tea Around the World

Did you know it’s not just India where masala chai thrives? Because this beverage has traveled worldwide over the years it’s likely enjoyed in your local coffee shops too! Here are some most favoured version around globe:

United Kingdom:

The British have certainly had long love affair with tea and over time they slowly adopted ‘chai’ culture. Unlike Indian counterpart; British prefer their chai milky instead for whipped cream topped frothy goodness.Therefore ordering “chai latte” makes more sense here.

USA and Canada:

In North America enterprising chains like Starbucks took up Masala-spiced milk as major flavour note (but let’s admit it ,they created uproar by calling it a ‘latte’),Tim Hortons jumped on the bandwagon, serving seasonal versions like Apple Cider Chai

South Africa?

Chai lovers probably raised an eyebrow RIGHT NOW -South-African styled rooibos or redbush blend which doesn’t contain caffeine making up for loss in different types of Spreadslike honeybush flowers etc also added to produce unique taste…saving grace!

For Indonesian natives who enjoy variety choosing between ‘Teh Tarik,’ Japan adding green-tea matcha into spices brews Chinese “yang-chun”(mix of black sesame paste & soybean milk) there are endless options out there people !

Is It Really Healthy?

You’ve heard all sorts of stories about chai being healthy but is that really true?? This question always pops us during our quest towards healthier living .

While drinking anything excessively isn’t recommended, research has shown that spicing life up via drinking a cuppa Cha(i)n’t Be Overstated. Ginger boasts anti-inflammatory properties while cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels ; Turmeric having anti-cancer potential etc.

Let’s not forget the milk-bonus you’ll get some calcium and vitamin D! And for lactose intolerant peeps out there there are naturally dairy-free options/ alternatives that cater to such needs.

In Conclusion

Chai tea has come a long way since its humble beginnings in India. What started as warm, spicy beverages enjoyed in small shops gradually became a global phenomenon gracing coffee menus WORLDWIDE.With time though ‘chai’ died down just like any other trend…BUT WAIT it’s now making comeback again with old fashioned herbal infusions trumping sugar filled chai latte!(how fancy) Who knew one single brew could have THAT much impact eh?!

So why not broaden your horizons next time by trying different versions of this age-old beverage whether short or tall OR hot/cold because Chai truly is more than just spiced milk blended with black tea…it’s an embodiment of cultures friendships & coziness .