With chai…there’s always a happily ever after.
It all began with the British importing the first tea plants from China around 1830s, and planting them on large estates in Assam. The commercial production and processing of tea that came later is what revolutionized the way we consume tea today. Currently, the vast expanses of Assam, Darjeeling and many other places are hub to a variety of tea growing states with the geographical indication of some of the best organic green tea brands in India.
Throughout this tea-loving country, from Assam to Gujarat, Kashmir to Kochi, and Mumbai to Munnar, every region has its own version of tea. From the premium blends by one of the best green tea companies in India: Wagh Bakri to the kulhads at the various tea stalls, all of them are testimony to how these tea varieties mould the ethnic diversity, subtle culture, and wide range of Indian traditions into one.
So, below we list some of these unique chai varieties that are the result of the diverse and vibrant culture of the Indian subcontinent.
1. Masala Chai
Masala Chai is a concoction of aromatic Indian spices and herbs with loose black tea. Masala chai has gained popularity all over the world and is now a common ingredient in many tea shops. It is believed that the Indian Subcontinent is where masala chai first originated. There is no written document of the earliest Masala Chai recipe, but one can trace the concoction back to experiments conducted with Indian spices in the past.
The most widely used spices for masala chai are cardamom and ginger. Over time its flavour was only enhanced as every generation added different spices to its recipe. Moreover, a chai lover can also opt for a variety of these Masala Chai flavours pre-made from the best tea brand in India.
2. Lebu cha
This unique blend is particularly popular all over the state of West Bengal. Lebu means lemon and cha means chai in Bangla. Every household and vendor has its own unique method for preparing the perfect Lebu Cha and hence one can find diverse varieties of this blend across the state. Lebu Cha is a strong black tea that is freshly brewed, flavoured with lemon and poured into a glass or cup.
It is Bengal's own interpretation of spiced tea, with an added tinge of lemon. This street-style tea is created by steeping tea leaves in water and then adding a special masala, or moshla, that is made from a blend of black salt, pepper, ginger powder, and a few other masalas. Since the tea doesn't include any milk, sugar is usually added to balance the tea's sour and salty flavours.
3. Green tea
Green tea dates back to 2737 B.C. in China. Its discovery happened by chance when the Chinese Emperor Shennong mistakenly drank water with a boiled dead tea leaf in it. He found the flavour refreshing, and thus a new beverage was created. Green tea is sourced from the dried leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Green tea is among the least processed teas and is generally regarded as a healthy drink, especially when processed correctly as done by one of the best organic green tea brands in India.
