Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Cuppa Chai Or Iced Tea

A long time ago few leaves of Camilia Sinensis fell into a bowl of warm water held by a Chinese Emperor. The aroma that emanated from the brew was intoxicating and thus tea was discovered. A typically hot beverage that has floored the World completely is literally speaking undergoing the ravages of time.      

The paradigm shift albeit at a snail's place in traditional tea-consuming countries is taking place. Enter the wonderful zesty iced tea a cold phenomenon that is capturing a new target audience the young ones. The chai as we call it in India is traditionally drunk hot from a cup or small glasses. It is slipped slowly taking a good time probably in betwixt a conversation. 

The iced version is a modern invention perhaps necessitated by creativity and the stiff competition from colas. The usual hot beverage turns into an iced form upon refrigeration or with the addition of ice cubes. This form of brew is also subject to a lot of sugary additions or in many cases lime or both. A dash of ginger throws a lot of punch.

The herbal variants also come in this form with a lot of health benefits. The can or bottled version of this cool beverage is taking its popularity sky-high. It is assumed that cool tea beverages will take away an impressive share from the hot form as well as from fizzy cola drinks.    

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Tangy Zesty & Estatic - Absolutely Tealicious Cuppa Chai

Monday Morning Freshness! 

A night before scrap some lemony zest in a cupful of water. Let it rest overnight for the water to absorb the bitter-sweet tanginess from the zests. Get up early in the morning (He!He!) wash your mouth and charge at the stove. Take a spoonful of leaves from a good brand, Wagh Bakri, Tata, or Green leaves of Organic India. The best is to add both black and green variants in equal proportions.     

Sprinkle the leaves in the water containing zest and lift it to the stove. Now add a mix of cinnamon and cardamon powder. This will enhance the earthy and musky flavors of the leaves. Gung Ho brings the mixture to a boil and strains. 

Slurp! There you have one of the most tealicious hot brews on Earth. Good Morning!   

Have it with Poha or just bread and butter. Better still sip the cup full to savor the aroma without any conflict and then dive for brekky.  

I sip mine, predawn, on the balcony when the World is asleep.