It may seem like the internet just woke up to the magic of chai, but India’s love affair with the beverage has been very old. Growing up in a family of ardent tea lovers, I have heard chronicles that either had me in splits or in awe. Like my father, who started drinking tea at the tender age of one. He would trot around the house to take a sip from the cups of everyone present. I’m quite a fan of the beverage myself, which is why, when I learned about the many ways South India brews tea, I was rather intrigued. If you think filter coffee is the only exemplary hot beverage to emerge from South India, then wait till you hear about these five teas. Hot, varied and flavourful, these teas are every chai lover's dream come true.
Karupatti Tea
Like Karupatti coffee, Karupatti tea also makes use of the palm jaggery. That is the seasonal jaggery that is obtained from date palm trees. The jaggery induces a deep-rich flavour to the tea, an ideal winter drink we cannot wait to grab right now.
Sulaimani Chai
Ghava is another way the locals of Kerala refer to this rather interesting tea which is both sweet and sour, and also consumed as a digestif after heavy meals. Tea leaves brewed sugar, cinnamon, cardamom and a hint of lemon juice, this tea is a delight any time of the day. Sulaimani chai is usually served black, without any milk.
Kalladka Tea
Also known as KTea, Kalladka tea has been one of Laxmi Nivas Hotel’s (KT Hotel) most iconic offerings for over 30 years. Situated on the National Highway 75, this tea is served in a transparent glass, where you can see the layers of decoction. The delectable tea is frothy on top, dark brown around the rim and rather milky at the bottom. Move over Dalgona, our drinks have had layers forever.
Meter Chai
Another special tea that is equally popular for its appearance. Watching meter chai in making is a vision in itself. Transferring tea between two glasses repeatedly until there is a gap of a meter between the two where the tea, like ribbon, is suspended in the air. At this point the tea is in neither of the glasses, and yet there is not a drop that has spilled out. Doing this makes the tea robust with flavour and frothy too.
Inji Elakkai Tea
Inji Elakkai Tea is simply ginger(inji) and cardamom(elakkai) tea. Widely prepared in Tamil Nadu, the tea combines two of the strongest, aromatic and flavourful spices to make something modest and memorable.
How many of these teas have you tried or would like to try? Do let us know.
