To Flavor or Not To Green Leaf Subji & What Not

Most of the hard core tea drinkers like me want the regular hot stuff. But this does not mean that I do not go in ginger and cardamom flavored tea. Another leaf I like to indulge in sometimes is Darjeeling. You do not need to add any flavors or spices to this magical brew. The leaf is cultivated in may gardens in the District.   

But in recent times masala chai has become every popular. Earlier only few spices where added during the cooking process whence making chai. In the recent time tea connoisseurs are discovering various flavoring methodology by regulars. The buck stops at nothing, flowers, exotic herbs and essential are being added to the brew. This is more of a local phenomenon since the black tea  popularity has nowhere decreased.      

Iced Lemon Tea

Darjeeling Tea

Cool Green Tea

Well each to his own even if you add finest alcohols there is a sizzling cocktail waiting for you. With tea there is no limit to creativity which defines art of cooking. May be someday green leaf subji will be available in the Indian restaurants and  tea lounges which have recently entered the fray in India  

Tea Additives

Every cup you sip appears to be the same but is that so?. The World of this wonderful hot beverage appear restricted in terms of flavor and taste. But this is not the truth the tea consumed on various Eastern Countries is diverse in taste and flavor.

The additives play a major role in the flavoring in tea leaf. The leaf is highly receptive to flavors and additives in many forms. Hence many aromatic elements are used as additives. 

Some of the popular ones are mentioned below:

Flowers

Kewda

Rose

Jasmine

Chrysanthemum  

Herbs

Lemon Grass

Kewda

Mint

Pandan

Spices

Nutmeg

Cinnamon

Cardamom

Ginger

Cassia

Black Pepper

Clove

Anise

Fennel

Bay leaf 

Vanilla

Mace

Special spice mixtures are also sold in India which contain many healthy spices.

Some citrus peels are also added like in the Earl Gray Tea popular in UK. Some essential oils are also added to the brew for flavor. In India jaggery is also used in place of sugar which accords it a distinct taste.

Goat's Milk and Camel's Milk are also used instead of cow and buffalo milk in many places.  On many instances rum and scotch whiskey are also added to tea. 

Enjoying Green Tea

Best way green tea can be had is plain dark with little sugar and a dash of lime. The secret of enjoying green tea is to buy the right kind of leaf. I like Darjeeling green leaf the best though Darjeeling black leaf is no less aromatic and flavorful.

Darjeeling leaves carry a unique aroma and flavor though the aroma is strong and fills the whole room the flavor is subtle and tends to be on the sweeter side unlike that of the black teas from Assam which are a bit bitter in taste.

Another way to enjoy green tea is with milk and sugar and add some spices like ginger and cardamom. For more exotic taste add cinnamon powder. I find lemon grass tea yuck! But it has immense health benefits especially when you are down with cold and a bad throat.

Some people add garam masala or a mixture of spices to green tea in India but I believe this concoction suits the black variety more than it suits the green tea beverage. Never the less spice tea is common in India and who like to add what is his or her business after it is your cup of tea or Chai as they call it in India.