Masala Chai

Description

Bombay Chai with a melange of spicy notes conjures the steamy, aromatic delights of an Indian street market. Black tea leaves with subtle hints of pepper, orange, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove make up our chai, the Indian word for tea. Bombay Chai is delicious when brewed fresh and blended with heated milk and sugar to taste.

Ingredients

Black tea, cinnamon, cardomom , ginger, pepper, star anise, natural flavours, cloves

Health Benefits

Black tea
Black tea contains an abundant source of natural plant-derived antioxidant compounds called polyphenols that may aid in fighting harmful free radicals. Research shows that these free radicals can cause heart disease, cancer and increase the risk of strokes. Drinking black tea with its high antioxidant levels may help protect the body by counteracting harmful free radical activity.
Further health benefits of black tea may include lowering cholesterol, strengthening the immune system, promoting healthy blood vessel functionality and even protecting teeth and bones. In addition, black tea provides a source of nutrients including magnesium. managanese, potassium, calcium, and the vitamins C and K all in trace amounts.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomanum Zeylanicum)
Also known by its Indian name Dalchini, Cinnamon is used to promote digestion, relieve nervous tension and headaches and to fight common cold symptoms.

Cardomom (Eletraria cardomomum)
Also known by its Indian name Chotti Elaichi, Cardomom is used to improve digestion, relieve nervous tension and headaches and as a general healing agent. Its often proscribed to treat depression.

History

In many parts of the world, people use Chai as a generic word for tea. However, the original Chai, a mixture of black tea, milk, sugar and spices hails from India. Although the word derives from ch’a (a chinese word for tea), Chai has been drunk in India for over 5000 years.

According to one legend, an ancient king invented the exotic concotion and protected the recipe as a national treasure. In another story, a royal family’s doctor who most likely ascribed to the Hindu natural healing system called "ayurveda" prepared variations specific to individuals health needs.

Regardless of the story, Chai’s origins can be traced back to Ayurvedic medicine where people used tea, spice and herbs as a health tonic to remedy among other ailments indigestion and lethargy.

Today, Chai is India’s most popular everday drink and is served in roadside stands, bus and train stations and in public markets Street vendors called "wallahs" serve Chai in tiny cups with plenty of milk and sugar. Chai recipes differ depending upon location and many families pride themselves on secret recipes handed down from generation to generation. Cardomom, the "Queen of Spices" in India, is one ingredient almost used in all Chai preparation.

Use

Bombay Chai makes an excellent pick me up drink any time of day. Serve to guests as a welcoming gesture in your home. Instead of coffee, try drinking chai in the morning with milk and sugar.
Prepare a Chai Latte, using steeped Bombay Chai, steamed milk, sugar and powdered cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

Caffeine Level

Most Caffeine
Jumpstart your morning with a quick boost of energy from a steaming cup of caffeinated tea.

Character

Leaves: Medium leaves with spice bits
Aroma: Spicy, sweet nose
Colour: Dark reddish-brown liquor
Taste: Smooth and complex body with spicy notes

Origin

India