What is chay? Rather Masala Chai
In a nutshell, Chai is a hot drink that combines milk, water, tea and spices in proportions determined by the Chai Wallah. But is this?
In the West, we mistakenly call Chai what we should call “Masala”, which means a mixture of spices, and the word Chai means “tea”.
To find its origin, we have to travel to southern India, where it is common to see this hot drink based on black tea mixed with spices.
There is no exact recipe to prepare; it depends on the place and the tastes of the mixer and the consumer. In this country, tea is offered on the one hand and a mixture of spices on the other so the consumer can add them to taste.
Some versions range from 80% tea – 20% spice to 35% tea – 65% spice. As you will see, the results can be very different from one version to another.
Among the most common spices found in Chai teas are Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, vanilla, ginger, black pepper, star anise, fennel, and nutmeg, and it is increasingly common to find orange or lemon peel.
How is Chai tea prepared?
It can be prepared in various ways; the local course for a cup is to use half a measure of water, half of the milk, and two tablespoons of our favourite Masala Chai mix and boil for between 5 and 10 minutes adding sugar or honey to taste.
Another way to prepare it is using only milk or only water. In India, there is the Chai Wallah profession, “the tea makers,” and it is widespread to find them everywhere showing off their skills and unique recipe to get customers to come back again and again for a cup of tea. Masala Chai. The best ones are easily recognizable, they tend to generate a lot of buzzes, and there are always people lining up to get one of their concoctions.
In the West, we have adopted the term Chai for this type of tea, although Masala is used to a lesser extent. When we refer to chai tea, we talk about tea mixed with spices.
These teas are usually intense and refreshing in aroma, with notes of Cinnamon, cloves and cardamom predominating. On the palate, nuances of hot spices are combined with sweet touches, brightened up with light citrus notes and a rounded finish with the depth of black tea.
An explosion of sensations on our palate means that a cup of tea is never enough. It is very healthy and digestive, provides energy, regulates body temperature, and comforts. A cup feels good at any time of the day, although without a doubt, the perfect time is mid-morning and mid-afternoon to give us that necessary briskness at critical moments.
What types of Chai do we find?
There are many; the combinations we can find are almost endless, and there are so many different teas and spices that it would be difficult to repeat.
For example, our store has several versions with black tea, green tea, red tea, rooibos… Each one is different and all delicious.
Where to get chai tea?
Today it is easy to buy these teas if we do not have the opportunity to go to India. We have the advantage that expert mixers are responsible for forming these compositions, offering us homogeneity and a perfect marriage between spices and base teas.
We can find different formulas, from the most classic such as the famous Pakistani tea, the sophisticated Thai Chai or the caffeine-free Rooibos Chai version. In any case, it is a pleasure to discover the charm of tea combined with spices and try different recipes until we find our perfect formula.
White tea – The tea of beauty
Back to school with white tea. August is over, and although there are a few days left before the official start of autumn, most of us consider summer to be over; if something characterizes this time of year, it is mainly excesses and the sun. Ice creams, beers, fried foods, tapas and that tan that has cost us so much to achieve take their toll on our body, but… How can tea help you?
We all know by different means the virtues and benefits of consuming green tea and black tea, but a variety has recently come to the fore for its anti-aging facet, white tea. Numerous studies have shown it to be very effective in preventing the destruction of essential structural proteins in the skin, such as collagen and elastin.
Elastin is naturally responsible for the body’s elasticity in general, not just the skin. It helps the proper functioning of the lungs, arteries and ligaments, making it the perfect complement to prevent or delay the appearance of wrinkles. The surprising thing about these studies was that among the 21 plant extracts, white tea was the one that showed the best result, far superior to the rest of the plants. This tea has always been known as an elixir of eternal youth consumed by models and emperors, and now we understand why. This Kingston University study showed other properties such as the reduction of vascular diseases, the appearance of cancer or arthritis and course, like the rest of the teas, it is an aid to lose those few kilos gained. Why white tea? White tea is the least processed of all teas and is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, but beware, not all white teas are created equal. The most coveted and desired are those with great shoots harvested in spring. This makes its price very high compared to other teas (130 to 360€/Kg), but if you are a lover of beauty tea’s subtlety, elegance and sweetness, it is undoubtedly worth the investment.
