The origine of chai tea

Chai tea is a rich beverage and is popular in many parts of the world for its taste, especially India. The word ‘chai’ means a ‘spice’. Thus, chai tea literally means the ‘spice tea’. The tea is prepared by mixing the tea powder with milk and sweetener as well as with some specialized spices. The word ‘chai’ is most commonly known as ‘masala chai’. Literature shows variation in regard to its origination. But the mostly accepted one is that the chai tea was originated from India, Nepal, Tibet and Pakistan i.e. from Asian part. Some legends in Siam and India indicated that chai was invented by a king and protected as a teasure.

Medicinal benefits of chai tea

This tea has some medicinal as well as beneficial effect on human act. Ayurveda is an ancient hindu healing system which used a combination of herbs, spices and sweeteners to cure body. The use of chai was analyzed as a cure that developed for minor section of the people who did not have access to medical care. It was then taken on a regular basis as a regenerative and cleansing drink. On top of that, Chai tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which may help to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It also remedies a variety of ailments including the flu, colds, stomach and digestive problems, and lung problems.

 

Chai tea

Chai tea is now popular beverage, not just outstanding the British Raj but spreading beyond South Asia to the rest of the world. The main ingredients of chai tea are cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves, fennel, ginger and peppercorn. The spices are warmed in boiling water and mixed with milk, honey and black tea. However, the recipes may differ from village to village and even house to house.

There are different types of chai tea which are generally classified based on the preparation procedure. Some common types of tea with its health benefits are-

1.     Cinnamon chai tea – Here, cinnamon is used during preparation. It is generally south Asian spice, this spice protect us from common cold, nausea, control of diabetes, lowering cholesterol, preventing  balding and colon cancer.

2.     Cardamom chai tea- Cardamom is used in this case. This spice also found in India. Cardamom helps in improving digestion, stimulating metabolism, impotency and oral disorders.

3.     Black pepper chai tea- Black pepper improves blood circulation and cleaning the lungs. It also improves metabolism and can help in alleviating chronic cold.

4.     Nutmeg chai tea- Nutmeg protects us from the problem of sciatica. it also helps in curing digestive tract problems.

5.     Ginger chai tea-Ginger stimulate our circulatory and immune system, it has been also used to treat such disparate conditions as importance and motion.

6.     Fennel chai tea- Fennel has an important medicinal value. Fennel is widely used to treat kidney and ocular problems as well as laryngitis.

However, the common preparation process is given below by following that simple steps one may get chai tea easily.

“First, it is needed to take 1.5 cups of water, then 1.5 sticks of cinnamon, 8 cardamom pods, 8 whole cloves, 1/4 inch fresh ginger root,2/3 cup of milk, 6 teaspoons sugar and 3 teaspoons of Darjeeling tea leaves. One can use cinnamon, cardamom, cloves or ginger as one’s wish. Cover and lower heat to low setting and simmer for 10 minutes. Then added milk and sugar and again bring to simmer. Next, add the tea leaves, remove from heat and cover. After 3 minutes strain and enjoy the taste of chai tea.”

As chai tea has a amazing taste with its medicinal as well as other health benefits, one should take chai tea instead of normal tea.