Taste the cup of peace, with a cup of Indian tea!
Just go through Indian history, and you will be amazed to glance at the mention of Indian chai in every inch of Indian history in the form of daily greetings, emotional expressions, and in some Ayurvedic medicinal rituals. Indian chai explored every corner of the past and present.
What makes Indian Chai so special?
Walk through the history of Indian chai, and you will find a rich tapestry of endless tea brews, from Himalayan flower teas to malty black teas from the heart of the northeast, salted pink infusions in the extreme north, and, to the south, spiced citrus teas.
Importance of Indian Chai In Every Indian Household and on Occasions
It is said that in India, every discussion starts with tea and ends with tea. For hospitality and building connections, nothing can beat tea. The aromatic and healthy spices bring a freshness that goes beyond taste. Besides being a major stay-home beverage, it is also a major part of India's socio-economic tapestry and hence plays a significant role in building millions in cultivation, and has undoubtedly contributed a huge amount to exports.
Whether you are a new chai drinker or an old one, The Pahadi Story will take you into the spotlight on a variety of flavours and traditions. Every cup will bring cultural richness for sure.
Different Types Of Chai In India
Walk in the streets of India, and you will come across several types of tea all around. The Tea Board, which is governed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry under the Government of India, has already recorded numerous types of tea in India. You can start by trying teas from Assam, Darjeeling, Doars Terai, Masala Tea, Nilgiri, Sikkim, and Kangra.
History of Indian Chai
With its roots somewhere settled in the colonial era, India's tea culture revolves around social and emotional rituals that symbolise long-lasting bonds, tradition, and, above all, warmth. Something that started as a mere drink would never have been expected to become an inseparable part of conversations, relaxation, connections, and, above all, a corner of peace in daily life. With every sip and every cup of Indian tea, several tea cultures of India unfold. Enjoy different cultures, flavours, and serenity as these ten Indian teas enhance your journey into an unforgettable experience.
Before taking you to the list of ten regional brews that everyone admires, remember that Masala Chai, green tea, and Ayurvedic chai have always been favourites with people all around. Let us explore the iconic series of regional Indian teas.
Assam Black Tea
Some people once said that even if you want to offer a friendly gesture to an alien, offer him a cup of Assam black tea, and you will no longer be an unfamiliar face. That's the magic of malty, bold, and strong flavoured, with or without milk. This tea comes directly from the regions of Assam, where you will find immense tea gardens. Due to its rich colour and strong taste, people are often seen adding it to their breakfast. You are likely to enjoy deep red-gold coloured tea while sipping Assam tea.
Darjeeling Tea
Have you ever seen people cheer with a cup of tea? It is that light, floral, and crisp Darjeeling tea, which is even addressed as the Champagnes of teas by tea lovers. A tea that comes from the misty hills of one of the Himalayan slopes, with its attractive golden colour and strong aroma, wins every heart. The lovely light aroma is something that attracts many tea lovers. You can enjoy the same tea, plucked in different flavours in different seasons. Milk and sugar are options, and in both cases the taste is matchless.
Kashmiri Kahwa
A cup of serenity with green tea, saffron, crushed almonds, cardamom, and more is what you are going to enjoy while sipping the custom taste of Kashmiri Kahwa. Imagine getting the flavour of all your favourite dry fruits while sipping the incredibly beneficial green tea, all the way from Kashmir. You will find people brewing Kashmiri Kahwa in a samovar to get that aromatic, refreshing tea, adding warmth in extremely cold weather.
Nilgiri Tea
Travel to the southern Blue Mountains-Nilgiris, and you can experience the taste of aromatic, flavourful tea. People often describe Nilgiri tea as a well-kept secret, but its hidden floral notes will definitely add to the excitement. You will find it being used in blends and preferred as iced tea with its crispness and clean finish. In Southern India, it is everyone's first refreshing choice. The whole taste is smooth with a natural sweetness for everyone to enjoy.
Mumbai Cutting Chai
This chai is so popular that it is admired in every part of India. The freshness it brings if brewed correctly is incomparable. The black tea used in it is highly concentrated and strong. Besides tea and water, ginger, heavy milk, sugar, and cardamom are added to it to bring the taste that everyone will follow.
Kerala Sulaimani Chai
Have you heard of a tea that gets its final taste in the most sour way? Yes, there is a tea that completes after you add fresh lemon juice in the desired quantity at the end! We are discussing Kerala Sulaimani Chai, which is made with the help of black tea and has cardamom as a common spice in it. People add lemon to it to bring the finest taste to the cup.
Ladakhi Butter Tea ( Po Cha)
Ladakh is popular for its scenic beauty and extreme weather conditions. The hike and ride there is popular, too, and so is its tea! Po Cha is prepared at high altitude by churning salt with butter. This tea is known for its premium flavour, golden colour, and most importantly, the subtle taste.
Kangra Tea
It is an aromatic tea grown in the foothills of the Kangra Valley. Just walk in the Himachal Pradesh hills and enjoy this lesser-known but highly valued tea among connoisseurs. It is available as black and green tea. The best part of this tea is its natural, sweet flavour complemented by the delicate aroma. This may be due to geographical location. You can find it similar to Darjeeling tea when it is about floral notes, and to Assam tea when it is about Kadak chai. It is a mountain speciality for sure and is assumed to be sweet after taste. It is mostly mild, and you will find local people preparing it with fresh leaves.
Banarasi Kulhad Chai
Banaras- the Land of Temples, how come it got associated with tea so suddenly! You must be surrounded by similar confusion! Sometimes, no matter what you try, you ultimately settle for desi style, and the same applies when you want to sip your tea. Banarasi Kulhad chai is all about strong CTC tea and selected spices. With this breathtaking aroma and strong taste, imagine serving it in a kulhad, an earthy baked-clay cup. You are surely going to love the final taste.
Assam Ronga Saah
You can recognise this tea well if you have been to Assam and have explored the custom food; they must have heard about the traditional tea of Assam- Assam ronga Saah. This is a copper-hued red tea with a very different taste and flavour all around.
Here, you would have understood so far that each tea has its own set of cultural roots, preparation methods, and flavour. Something which one cannot compare by any means. How many have you tried so far?
The Pahadi Story also brings several types of teas, and every chai lover can surely embrace something that matches their taste buds. It doesn't matter whether your temptation towards tea is temporary or you are a real tea enthusiast; you are sure to enjoy the tea options they have for you.
Is There Any Rigid Way To Know Which Tea Is Best in India?
Though the pointers mentioned below may guide you in the best possible way to discover the best tea, you may have your own other way to find it, too.
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You need to understand your preferences and tastes first. Every tea has its own aroma and flavour. You can pick as per your taste.
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Every location, height, seasonal variation, and the methods by which any tea is prepared can help you to decide the best one.
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People who prefer to try authentic tea with cultural context need to understand the variations of preferred brews. Every single note that is important when preparing a masala chai, oolong tea, or any other tea will help you understand which tea stands out best.
Wrapping Up- World Of Indian Tea
Indian tea is a cup of silent liquid meditation with every slow sip, which is how most of the people describe it. Each Indian tea is unique in its own way, and you are sure to discover more varieties while exploring the vast canvas of Indian tea culture. Every tea variety has a long story to hear and a taste to enjoy. Try the original local flavours of the selected brews to understand why they landed in our top ten best Indian brews. If not, try most of them through The Pahadi Story, which brings the natural flavour to your doorstep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tea is most famous in India?
Indeed, the combination of kadak masala chai has been a favourite among most of the people in India. Every Indian household cherishes the rich, refreshing flavour of this chai in its own way and has different ways of preparing it, too! Even the spice selection also vary as per preference and availability in the Indian households.
What common Indian tea recipe is commonly followed by people of India?
We cannot deny that chai holds cultural importance in India, but as you walk the streets or pass local tea corners, you will find milky, sweet, and spiced tea. The ratio of water and milk is almost equal in these teas.
Is it true that milk and sugar are an option in Indian Chai?
Yes, in most Indian chai, milk and sugar can be added only if one prefers them; otherwise, the flavour is not affected if skipped. Some people add milk but no sugar to their tea, and some add sugar but no milk.
Can one drink Indian Chai every day?
Yes, one can drink Indian chai daily in limited quantities, but remember to balance your tea cup according to your taste and preferences.
Is it true that every state of India has their own variety of Indian chai?
Yes, you will mostly find it correct while travelling to different states and even in different cities or towns. In one state, you may find two to three types of Indian tea being served, and sometimes even a city will surprise you with the varieties they have to offer.
