Chai is the Hindi word (Hindi: चाय) for tea. In English, the term is used to refer to what is more properly known as masala chai (Hindi (मसाला चाय chaiy, "spiced tea"). Chai is also a standard term for "tea" in many other Eastern languages, including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu, as well as in such non-Eastern language as Russian (чай).

Various forms of tea are available in India, the most famous being masala chai, masala being the Hindi word for spice, and the spice mixture is sold as chai masala. Contrary to the popular belief outside India, masala chai is not as popular in India. The most preferred way of preparing tea in India is boiling tea leaves together with milk to get a strong flavor and color. In India, chai is more popular than coffee. It is also a relatively popular beverage in coffeehouses in other countries. Masala Chai, on the other hand, is popular amongst Indians living outside India. Masala Chai has also become something of a speciality of European Music festivals and underground music events. Masala chai has strong cultural associations with Psytrance and Goa in particular.

There is a reference to chai in the landmark book by Anthony Burgess, A Clockwork Orange, later made into a film of the same name by Stanley Kubrick.

Preparation

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There is no fixed recipe or preparation method for chai and many families in India have their own special versions of the tea. Due to the huge range of possible variations, chai can be considered a class of tea rather than a specific kind. But all chai has the following basic components:

• Tea: The base tea is usually a strong black tea, such as assam, so that the various spices and sweeteners do not overpower it. However, a wide variety of teas can be and are used to make chai. Sometimes the drink can be prepared with tisanes such as rooibos.
• Sweetener: Plain white sugar is sufficient, though unprocessed sugar, molasses, honey, and other sweeteners can be used for various flavors.
• Milk or other such creamers.

The Masala chai can be prepared by adding one or more of the following spices along with tea leafs: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves are some of the most common elements, though masala chai can be made with such varied ingredients as nutmeg, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla or licorice.

Chai can be prepared in many ways. The most common way is to boil water with the sugar and spices, add tea and milk/creamer and then proceed to simmer it for a few minutes. It is then strained and served.

External links

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• What is chai? — a brief introduction to chai on Chai! The Enthusiast's Online Chai Resource.
• Masala chai — a detailed article about chai on Culinary Teas.
• It's Not Chai Tea Latté ! — An article on Chai, The Tao of Tea.
• Health Benefits of Chai — The ingredients of chai and their health benefits, Chai.com
• A timeline of Tea drinking

Tea | Indian cuisine

Chai | Chai (thé) | צ'אי הודי | Chai | チャイ | Czaj