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Masala chai is not your regular cup of tea but has earthy notes and a burst of flavours of spices. It is a special recipe that calms down your senses as you enjoy the beauty of nature or serenity around you. But now, it has made every Indian proud because it has been ranked as the second-best non-alcoholic beverage in the world by TasteAtlas. Rated 4.6, chai masala has emerged among the top three beverages of 2023. It is surely addictive but in a good way and boasts health benefits, unlike alcoholic beverages.
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Originating in India, masala tea is an aromatic beverage that can be found at every tea stall. Different parts of the country have different variations of it, but the purpose of making this cup of tea is the same - to satisfy the chai lover (tea lover) inside you. Since Indians take their tea quite seriously, here is a bit of the history of masala tea and its benefits for your health.
Masala Chai History
There are many legends surrounding masala chai. According to a popular ancient story, chai masala was developed by none other than Gautam Buddha himself. When he was travelling to China, he observed people chewing on wild leaves to ward off sleepiness and feel refreshed. Another tale points out that it was ancient king Harshvardhana, also the guardian of Nalanda University, who developed the recipe of masala chai to keep himself alert for long hours.
Masala chai also has legends associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana. It was nothing but a mixture of Sanjivini booti and its concoction that healed Lakshmana’s wound and saved his life. While legends can be many, this variation of tea found its popularity in the 20th century when the Indian Tea Association saw the need for tea breaks for its workers. Around this time, tea was more affordable for common people and employees used to feel refreshed after these breaks. They were more productive and able to concentrate on work after these short breaks.
Benefits Of Masala Chai During Winter
Masala tea is an excellent non-alcoholic beverage that people can consume in winter. It’s a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper that is added to a boiling concoction of sweetened black tea and milk. These spices have many health benefits alongside keeping the body warm in harsh weather. Here is why you must drink masala chai too.
Reduces Inflammation
The mixture has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and inflammation in the body. You can also add a few strands of saffron to the mixture and drink the tea. It will help you experience relief from pain.
Improves Digestion
Many people experience digestive ailments in the winter season because we often indulge in heavy meals. Ginger and cardamom in the mixture helps to relieve digestive issues and support the system. Cloves are associated with relieving constipation.
Aids In Weight Loss
Winter is the holiday season when we all like to indulge in our favourite delights and give up on exercising. This often leads to weight gain. However, masala chai is among a few beverages that have a low calorie count but high nutritional value. It helps to control cravings and prevents you from munching in between meals. Thus, it can help you keep your weight in check.
Boosts Immunity
Masala chai has many spices that can boost your immunity in winter. Drinking it every day can help your body stay warm and fight against allergens and symptoms of cold and cough, which are very common in this weather.
Improves Blood Circulation
In the winter season, we all like to snuggle inside the blanket and keep pressing the snooze button on our exercise routine. It often leaves the body stiffened and affects the blood circulation. But spices in masala chai, especially cinnamon, can help to regular blood sugar levels and improve the circulation in the body.
