What is Chai?
Chai is the warmth on your cold fingertips when you wrap your hands around a mug of the creamy drink, hugging it for comfort, and securing it for only you to enjoy on a cool October day. Chai is the steam that becomes its breath when you lift that cup to your lips and it gently exhales its sweet spiciness over your nose and cheeks and closed eyes, soothing your face, and melting your tension away. Chai is the nectar that calms your tummy and finds its way to your heart.
In America, chai or chai tea, is spiced tea. A blend of strong black tea with warming spices like green cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and black pepper. The tea is sweetened to enhance the flavor of the spices, and balanced by adding in a generous amount of milk.
But of course chai is not an American creation – not the spices nor the concoction.
The drink originated in South Asia, notably India, where chai simply means tea. Any type of tea. Chai is the Hindi word for tea. So if you order a chai in India, you will most likely be asked, which kind?
If you want a spiced tea in India, you would ask for a masala chai or a masala tea. In Hindi, masala means spices or a spice mix.
Different countries, different meanings. But delicious all the same. Especially with a side of Spiced Apple Chips!
[Try our Chai Tea Blend Powder, available in our online store. Great for spiced tea, or for adding into your fall baking recipes]
Chai recipe
Ingredients
- Two cups milk
- One cup water
- 2 – 3 tsp of sugar
- 2 – 3 tsp of Season with Spice’s Chai Tea Blend powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a small pot. Heat on low fire to a simmer, then turn fire off, cover pot, and let steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Before serving, heat again on low fire to a simmer. Then pour into a cup through a fine strainer.