Masala chai is an Indian tea beverage made by steeping black tea in milk and water with aromatic herbs and spices. The beverage, which originated in India, has achieved worldwide popularity and is now found in many coffee and tea shops. The word chai comes from the Hindi word chai, which is derived from the Chinese word cha, meaning tea. Masala chai has no set formula or method of preparation, and many families have their own variants of the tea. The caffeine content of most masala chai is about one-third that of coffee. The tea leaves should steep in boiling water long enough to extract a strong flavour while avoiding the release of bitter tannins. Masala chai might be regarded as a class of tea rather than a single type of tea because of the wide number of possible variations. Water, tea leaves, milk, sugar, cardamom, black pepper, and ginger are the seven essential ingredients that are almost always present in masala chai. The western version of chai, or chai latte, is sweeter and lighter in flavour than the Indian version of a more herbal and spicy milk beverage.
Here are some types of Chai you can try:
Sulaimani Chai
Sulaimani chai is a milkless type of chai popular in the southern region of the country, particularly Kerala, and is commonly consumed after meals to ease digestion or simply because you feel like it. It's made with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, saffron, cardamom, and lime juice, and it traces its origins to Middle Eastern tea called ghava.
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