"Chai, chai!" How often we have heard that call. If May 21, International Tea Day needs a celebration, it ought to be in India. Tea is woven into the rhythm of our lives. Because swaad apnepan ka. Because hamare yahan rishte 'Hi' se nahi, chai se bante hain...
It's our desh ki chai! Every home has its signature mix of spices that is added to the milky sweet chai as it brews slowly on the stove. Durga Shakti Nagpal shares her formula, that in addition to the often favoured spices uses black pepper.
Please find the recipe here: Masala Chai
No collection of Indian teas is complete with including the classic Kashmiri beverage. Mayur Sanap, who always has a tea bag of some sort on his person, offers a recipe for Kahwa -- soothing green tea dillydallies in your cup with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron.
Please find the recipe here: Kahwa
This is a total fursat waali chai that needs to be slowly sipped so you can absorb the zing of the lime, the mellow heat of the ginger and the masala magic. Bethica Das' cup of tea is a mood-lifter in disguise.
Please find the recipe here: Masala Ginger Lime Tea
A delicate cup by Radhika Batra Shah that is a gentle blend of Darjeeling with organic rose flecks. Not to be drunk. Only sipped. And guess what? You can re-steep the same leaves up to three times!!
Please find the recipe here: Darjeeling Black Rose Petal Tea
Varanasi is famous for its paan and chaat. But on her visit to the city, Taruna Deepak discovered another favourite, their intriguing version of lemon masala tea that uses hajmola of all things!
Please find the recipe here: Benarasi Hajmola Chai
Mayur Sanap adds a good deal of lemon to his take on the popular drink, as well as honey. It is a thanda-thanda-cool-cool way to quench your thirst.
Please find the recipe here: Lemon Iced Tea
Ever tasted a tea that looks as beautiful as it feels? Crafted by Lakshmi Poovaiah -- Oolong leaves with rose petals brew into a stunning salmon-pink infusion sweetened with a hint of honey.
Please find the recipe here: Ruby Rose Tea