Masala chai is probably the most iconic and popular Indian drink. Indians take their tea seriously- it’s not the national drink for no reason. You can find it on every street corner and even on the trains.
The Chai Spot
If there is one area of Mumbai in particular known for its chai, it would be Ballard Estate. It is primarily a Parsi area, and they opened several restaurants and cafes. In Mumbai’s early days, Ballard Estate was the business district. Chai quickly became intertwined with the culture here as people could have meetings or simply relax over some tea. It was actually easier to get a cup of chai than a cup of coffee!
There are many great spots to grab a hot cup of chai throughout Maharashtra. A famous Maharashtrian cafe is Paneri Amtuttlya. It’s known for offering chai at only 10 rupees a cup.
In Nagpur, there is a tea seller known worldwide because of his viral videos. He adds his own style to making tea and always draws a crowd while he works. It’s said he makes a great cup of tea.
If you’re looking to bring some tea home, the Maharashtra Tea Supply Company has lots of options. They started up in Pune in 1933. They have a selection of teas from Northeastern India’s many tea estates.
More Tea
Aside from chai, Assam and Darjeeling teas are very popular throughout India. Both Assam and Darjeeling are large tea estates.
The Assam estate is found near the Himalayan range. It gets plenty of water from the Brahmaputra River. Indians consume much of the tea produced by the Assam estate.
The Darjeeling estate is a bit different. It has more hilly terrain ranging from 2000-7000 feet in elevation. The care that goes into producing tea from here makes for a very high-quality tea- so much so that it’s called the “champagne of teas.” Surprisingly though, Darjeeling tea is more popular in the Western world than it is in India.
Did You Know?
Chai can be made from various kinds of tea like matcha, yerba mate, green tea, rooibos, and white tea.
Indians are the #1 consumers of tea in the world, consuming around a quarter of the tea produced worldwide. Who could blame them?
Chai was never intended to be a drink for the masses. The British rulers that acquired the tea estates imagined that the tea would be exclusively for them.
Making Chai
Chai is a staple in so many Indian households, but don’t be surprised if every cup doesn’t taste the same. The most common type of chai that you’ll find is masala chai; masala means spices and chai means tea.
This recipe from foodess details how to make an indulgent cup of tea.
For a single serving, she uses:
- 8 oz water
- 4 oz milk (any milk is fine, but whole milk will give the creamiest texture.)
- Sugar (traditionally around two tablespoons)
- Loose black tea
- Cardamom pods
- A small piece of cinnamon
- ¼ inch piece of ginger
- A few fennel seeds
First, simmer the milk, water, and spices in a saucepan. Note that all spices are optional and can be added to taste.
Next, reduce heat to low, and add the tea.
Steep this mixture for about 3 minutes, or until the chai gets its tan color. Stir occasionally.
Finally, strain the tea and add sugar to taste.
Enjoy!
With monsoons right around the corner, it’s essential to have a dependable chai recipe. All of us at Maatir know just how much of a difference it makes in the chai experience to have a fun teacup to drink from. Explore our collection of teacups and napkins. What is your favorite way to make chai? Let us know in the comments!
