A Healthy and Tasty Cup of Indian Masala Chai, Enjoy It!

Drinking Hot Tea has become very popular all over the world. I am sure most of my readers are very familiar with it too. In India from where I immigrated to USA, this beverage is called CHA and CHAI, literally "Mixed-spice tea." It has gained worldwide recognition and popularity as Indian Masala Chai. Whenever one is alone, with friend or family, Masala Chai is served. Business communities in different regions of India drink Masala Chai during business transactions or any business related gatherings. They drink hot tea even when it is scorching temperature during the market hours.

The term "Tea time" was made a very popular by the Englishmen. There is a saying among Britons, "Every time is a Tea time." While they were rulers of India Tea Time was a customary pass time. This tradition is continued even today after the British left India. It has become an Indian Tradition now, big time.

The majority of Indian households prepare masala Indian chai daily.

There is a simple recipe for the preparation for Masala Chai.

There are fixed four main ingredients of Indian Masala Chai:

· Tea Leaves- Loose dry Black tea leaves grown on the slopes of the Darjeeling mountains in West Bengal in India.

· Mixed Grounded Spices - Called MASALA - is prepared mixing - Ginger root powder or fresh ginger root, Cinnamon Powder, Clove Powder and Cardamom pods or powder. Also fresh Mint Leaves and Lemongrass are added to the tea that we prepare at our home.

People from different parts of India modify this recipe due to regional influence or traditions. It may also contain - Saffron, Anise seeds, Bay leaves. Holy Basil leaves. Moreover, the quantity of each ingredient also varies depending on the taste of the person making it or drinking it.

· Fresh Milk or milk powder or non-dairy products addition makes Indian Masala tea a unique National Beverage. Some version may contain vanilla or chocolate. Steamed milk added Chai preparation called Chai Latte is available in some coffee shops and Starbucks.

Sweetener - If People like or want, they can add Raw white sugar, Brown Sugar or Honey.

Indian Chai is very hearty as well as a refreshing drink We can enjoy at any time of the day or night. It is also a healthy and nutritious drink.

The ingredients in masala help the overall health of Digestive, Respiratory systems, and the Peripheral circulation. Indian Chai is very innocuous, non-alcoholic and non-intoxicating drink.

Do you all want to learn to prepare it? OK, then, We are going to prepare the Chai now.

The traditional method of preparation depends on how many cups of Chai we are making? In our home, my wife and I drink Chai twice a day. We drink every morning and evening, one cup each time.

Actual Preparation:

1. One cup of tap water into a metal pot.

2. I add the one teaspoon of Masala, Fresh shredded ginger root piece, 5-6 leaves of spearmint, and chopped leaves of lemon grass.

3. I let the water boil. I keep on stirring for a minute or two to let the ingredients mix well.

4. Then I add loose black tea leaves one and a half teaspoonful ( You can add any time).

5. As the water becomes dark brown, I add fresh milk as needed. The quantity depends on personal taste.

6. We let it boil for few more minutes while watching it closely, so it does not boil over.

7. Use the kitchen mittens or a clamp to handle the very hot utensil. Strain the tea in separate cups with a strainer. The Masala Chai is ready for drinking.

8. This whole process should not take more than 8 - 10 minutes.

Besides Masala Tea, there is the variety of exotic mixtures of herbs and spices known as herbal teas. People drink these combinations to improve their mood, mind, and soul.

However, We do not have the time or the space to discuss them here now. Nevertheless, I promise you all that we will get together to discuss them in future articles. We will also talk about the various ingredients in mixed Masala in details.

Confession:

While writing this article, I was having a fresh cup of Indian Chai that I prepared it myself. I love to make Indian Tea. I like to brag about it too! It is true that you need love and passion for Indian Chai to make a perfect, tasty cup of Chai every time,

In the meantime, you all have a Wonderful Happy Teatime with Indian Masala Chai and Tea Biscuits!

Respectfully,

D.S. Mehta - a true Chai (Tea) lover

Disclaimer: All the information described in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The author has no intention to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If anybody reading this article has any physical ailment or any health-related problems needing medical attention, please follow up with their professional medical advisor for help.

My name is D.S. Mehta. I have taken a liberty today and have written an article on my favorite Indian beverage called "Indian Masala Chai." It is a very nutritious and healthy drink both for the health and the mind. In India and Pakistan, this is a very popular drink but over the yrs., it has become universally famous. How to prepare this drink in your home with herb and spices is described in this article. You will enjoy it as much as I did writing it. In future, I will write few more tea-related articles with different flavors.
Visit my website http://www.herbalhealthplaza.com
Please keep sending me your comments and suggestions and do visit Thank you all for your support and encouragement. Warmly, D.S.Mehta

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