10 Desi Variations Of Chai All Tea Lovers Need To Try
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If you consider yourself to be a devoted lover of tea, here are 10 variations you should definitely try out.
It’s one of the most consumed drinks in the world, second only to water, and when it comes to India, the competition for the top spot is much tighter than it is anywhere else! Whether it’s morning’s first cup, an afternoon pick-me-up, or one to relax you before bed, we’re always up for a good cup of chai. What’s more? There are endless variations of our beloved brew, which means you can sip a wide variety of flavours, should you choose to.
So, if you want to expand your tea-tasting palate, here are 10 tea variations for you to try out - some you’re probably familiar with, and others you might not have tasted just yet!
1. Masala Chai
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A heady concoction of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, peppercorn, and fennel (among other spices) makes masala tea as fragrant as it is delicious!
2. Kahwa
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With the exotic scents and tastes of saffron and dry fruits blended with a traditional green tea, Kahwa is the perfect beverage to warm you up when you’re in the chilly valleys of Kashmir!
3. Black Tea
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No, it’s not just tea with no milk, this one is prepared using withered leaves, which also lends it its signature dark colour.
4. Butter Tea
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Originating in Ladakh, it’s traditionally made from tea leaves, yak butter, water, and salt, so you’re pretty much guaranteed a flavour you’ve never tasted before!
5. Ginger Tea
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India’s go-to beverage during winters, ginger’s medicinal properties make this a miracle cure for the common cold as well!
6. Sulaimani Tea
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With roots in South India, Sulaimani chai is brewed to a beautiful shade of amber without any milk, served with palm jaggery and an invigorating dose of lemon.
7. Lemon Tea
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As the name suggests, this tea features the tangy taste of lemon, usually with refreshing notes of ginger and mint to give it that extra zest.
8. Noon Tea
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Like most things originating from Kashmir, this tea, made with green tea leaves, milk, and baking soda, is a thing of beauty, with its striking pink colour.
9. Cardamom Tea
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Regular tea is taken to the next level with the sweet fragrance and taste of cardamom (elaichi), which is a delight for one’s senses.
10. Blooming Tea
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This visual spectacle involves the leaves of a tea plant bundled around dried flowers, which unfurl spectacularly when steeped in hot water, imparting a sweet taste and aromatic scent as well.
