Information and resources on Chai tea at Takara Body Detox Foot Patches
Chai tea is a popular Indian drink that is basically a spiced black tea. The recipes for chai vary considerably, but most of them use some combination of cardamom, cloves, ginger, peppercorn, curry, cumin seeds, lemon grass and rampe leaves. The resulting chai tea is a very unique and stimulating flavorful drink. Today, recipes for chai tea are extremely popular in India and Sri Lanka, far more popular even than coffee is in the United States. The most popular version in India is called ‘massala chai tea ’. It has recently began to rise in popularity in western cultures as well, providing an alternative to coffee other than the English style teas westerners have grown accustomed to.
The word ‘chai’ actually just means tea in Hindi, and several other eastern languages. The ‘cha’ root of chai appears in many languages around the world for the word tea, including Portuguese. ‘Massala’ means spice in Hindi, so massala chai tea to Indians simply means ‘spiced tea’.
Feel lighter naturally with the Takara Body Detoxification Foot Patches
It is unknown where the first recipe for chai tea originates from exactly, and when it became popular. Because of chai tea widespread use in India, it most likely was first developed in that region of the world. Evidence seems to suggest that it became popular during the English colonial period of India’s history when the British were exporting most of India’s tea for their own use or sale leaving behind only the poorest quality teas. The chai recipe may have developed as a way to cover the poor flavor of the low quality tea that was available to natives during that time.
Today there is no lack for quality tea in India or anywhere else, and chai is often made with some of the best black teas in the world. A strong chai tea is usually preferred, such as a Ceylon or Darjeeling, so that the flavor of the tea does not get completely lost with the spices. Chai teas are usually served mixed with sugar and milk. A common method in making chai is to boil all the ingredients together, the milk, sugar, water, spices and tea, and then strain the liquid afterwards.
You can find chai tea at most coffee shops around North America today, including Starbucks and other popular chains. If you have never tried it, give the chai tea a try next time you visit a Starbucks; the two billion plus people that drink it every day in the far east ca not all be wrong. If nothing else,a cup of chai tea is a nice change from coffee now and then.
Additional resources on chai tea:
en.wikipedia.org Chai is also a standard term for "tea" in many other Eastern languages, including Arabic...
coffeetea.about.com Spiced Chai tea and coffee comes in many forms...
www.wisegeek.com What is Chai Tea?
Return to the Takara Body Detoxification Foot Patches presentation page
Chai tea in the news:
Iced tea increases risk of kidney stones (UPI)MAYWOOD, Ill., July 22 (UPI) -- A U.S. doctor warns iced tea contains high amounts of oxalate which can lead to kidney stones.TEA TALES: Jasmine tea steeps in Chinese tradition (Eureka Times-Standard)Among all of the Chinese teas, there's one that enjoys a beautiful reputation as ?the smell of the spring.? It is best known as jasmine tea and particularly takes the fancy of people in northern China.
The information above is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals. Please consult your physician before beginning or making any changes in your diet, supplements, lifestyle or advice regarding medications. The above statements are to be considered dated and subject to change as research continues. Full text of FDA disclaimer
