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Chai, the name for tea in many parts of the world, is especially named for the ancient spiced Indian, sweet, milk tea. Traditionally, chai is made in Indian homes, according to family recipes. The most common chai is made with cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and pepper. It smells yummie and tastes delicious. It gives a sense of satisfaction and wonderful wellbeing, and is soothing and warming.
With thanks to Eumun Tea
The Chai Story Chai, the name for tea in many parts of the world, is especially named for the ancient spiced Indian, sweet, milk tea. Traditionally, chai is made in Indian homes, according to family recipes. The most common chai is made with cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and pepper. It smells yummie and tastes delicious. It gives a sense of satisfaction and wonderful wellbeing, and is soothing and warming.
Chai should be made hot, creamy, fragrant, and sweet. It is the sugar or honey that enhances the spices and develops the robust flavour.
Originally, chai was made with honey, but that is now so expensive, it has been relaced by sugar.
Chai is so well known in Southern Asia it is sold in train and bus stations by vendors called‘wallahs’. They bellow “Chai-ee Chai-ee” in a very distinctive manner and serve the tea in low fired clay cups called “kullarhs”, which they make themselves from clay in open ovens as they prepare the tea. The cups impart a distinctive earthy flavour to the tea. When customers finish their chai, they throw the kullarh on the ground to break and return to the earth. It is the social interaction of drinking chai that makes it so special and inviting.
An invitation to a person’s home in India will include a cup of the family’s chai. Serving chai is like offering a cup of the family tradition.
The Chai recipe was considered a royal treasure for centuries because it was created by a king, who followed the Hindu natural healing system of ‘ayurveda’, that is combining herbs and spices to aid digestion and health. A separate Chai was created by the ‘vaidya’ ((natural healing doctor) for the continued god health of the royal person. Honey, very expensive, was used as the best way to ‘preserve and distribute theraputic and rejuvenating substances’.
The combination of spices, herbs and tea has considerable health benefits. Chai settles the Stomach and aids digestion especially if the blend contains fennel. Green chai is high in polyphenols and antioxidents, known cancer fighting agents. Chai is also much lower in caffeine than coffee.
Chai can be brewed with half hot milk and half hot water, or full milk or just with water. Any type of milk can be used and other ingredients can be included such as coconut, almond pieces, fennel and anise, and even peppermint. Absolutely delicious!!!!?
 Chai Bengali - Chai Teas 100g
Eumun Tea
A delicious fresh and spicy combination of pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon seeds, cloves [more..]Price : A$13.50(buy)
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