Tea time - A Chance to Slow Down!

India is one of the largest tea producers in the world, although over 70 percent of its tea is consumed within India itself. A number of renowned teas, such as Assam and Darjeeling, also grow exclusively in India. The folklore surrounding Chai dates back to between 5000 and 9000 years ago to an ancient royal court – either India or Siam. It was said that the reigning king created the recipe as a healing Ayurvedic beverage. Throughout the earlier years Chai was prepared via a diverse range of methods and contained an equally diverse array of spices. Between regions the recipes varied and it was served hot and cold as a remedy for minor ailments, but didn’t contain black tea until the 1930’s. The history of tea spreads across multiple cultures over the span of thousands of years. It first became known to western civilization through Portuguese priests and merchants in Lebanon during the 16th century.Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. The British introduced tea production, as well as tea consumption, to India, in order to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea.

While experimenting to introduce tea in India, British colonists noticed that tea plants with thicker leaves also grew in Assam, and these, when planted in India, responded very well. The same plants had long been cultivated by the Singphos tribe of Assam, and chests of tea supplied by the tribal ruler Ningroola. The Assamese and Chinese varieties have been regarded in the past as different related species, but are now usually classified by botanists as the same species, Camellia sinensis.
Today Masala Chai tea stalls are a common sight throughout India, from meagre roadside stops to larger city establishments – all with their own Chai Recipe. But perhaps the strongest association with Indian Chai is the familiar chant of Chai Wallahs. “ garam chai garam chai” (hot tea) as they weave their way along trains bursting to the seams and equally crowded streets. Over the past 3 – 4 decades it has gained increased popularity in Western culture. The emergence of the Chai tent at music festivals and markets has become an institution that not only serves chai but provides an ambient environment in which to drink it. Chai Lattes are now an established item on the menu of cafes and there is a growing culture of chai connoisseurs that search out authentic quality chai products to both buy ready made or to make at home!