Tea & Me - Interesting Snacks to Go Along With

Bhel Puri By Nandita Amin

Chaat By Nandita Amin

Though tea is routinely consumed in India by a large populace few enjoy snacking with it the way it should be. Most of the time the beverage is just gushed down the phagus line to deliver. I think we have an interesting line of snacks that can make the routine consumption of tea into a ritualistic fervor and a gastronomic delight. 

Poha Jelebi By Rashi

Some of the common snacks in the country are the samosa, bhajiyas, pakoras and chevda. The imagination hardly runs beyond these commoners. Hence I am on a spurge of discovery as to what repertoire of finger foods will offer a creative binge to tea time.     

I remember how much we used to relish Gujarati Bhakri with Fresh White Butter in our younger days. The cook is no more and the butter has turned yellow.   

My proclivity is definitely towards Gujju snacks being one myself. Hence Fadfa Jalebi is another good accompaniment available mostly in Gujarati towns but it is slowly creeping elsewhere thanks to migratory Gujju populace. I once had cabbage pakoras a specialty of a border township at Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kehri in UP not forgetting Mirchi Pakoras near Sitapur which delivered no biting hot singe but a gently flavor. 

Dhokras and Khakras are very popular all over India and I love them along with tea. Dry Phulkis are my recent favorite thanks to innovation at Courtyard House in Kanha. The mashed potatoes, boiled chick peas and spices are added inside with topping of tomato sauce. All this to avoid water for Firangees. This also goes down well with sun downers. 

Bhel Puri and Pani Puri, infact all chaat items do not go well with at all. Sweet based snacks do not gel well not at least for real tea drinkers. One exception is Jelebi which by necessity is a breakfast item.

Simple bread and butter or cheese seandwich goes well with black tea but loaded sandwiches, cutlets and aloo parathe uh! oh!

Snacks with Subtle Salty Flavor are ideal as tea accompaniment.

Chai Samosa

Dhokla by Nandita Amin

Ginger Tea

Tea: From a Modest Beginning To a Global Phenomenon

So you’re a tea drinker with a good idea of the immense anti-oxidant properties. This ancient brew has cheers for you. It is woderful having this hot beverage to relax yourself at any point of day?

As science confirms many ancient beliefs about tea and the exact nature of anti-oxidants in the leaf. The leaf  began its sojourn along the track of human civilization as a modest infusion. Initially prepared from leaves of Camelia sinensis by Chinese and other Asian natives the brew has gained an enormous appeal. As a beverage of choice amid consumers worldwide they are increasing year by year.. It remains challenged in popularity only by coffee that still remains a favorite in US. But with entry into sections like canned options of iced-tea and combination with liquor continues to gain new flavors with time.

Tea: How It Is Sold

Tea is often sold in packages in different varieties- green, black, white, oolong, pu-erh, etc. You also find variations like organically grown blends, sweetened teas, ready-to-drink versions, canned beverage and  leaves sold in loose form.

The most popular tea in terms of high sales is black, followed closely by green leaf. England and India are the biggest consumers of black tea, followed closely by Europe, Japan, China and US, though China has its own variants that have lighter textures and unique flavors. North America has registered some of the highest growth in iced-tea drinking. This definitely indicates a sure consumer shift and heightened consumer interest in non-carbonated drinks.

Indian or Chinese?

Undoubtedly Indian and Chinese blends holds sway over a majority of global sales volumes. The Lapsang Souchong of China is the most famed amid the numerous other Chinese brands in use. Yunnan is another, grown and plucked from the Yunnan province.

The Indian tea considered best in quality and aroma is one grown in Darjeeling. It is liked for its light and delicate flavor. In contrast the Ceylon leaf is strong with a sharp aroma. Assam tea is strong and shows readiness to blending with other flavors. You find many Assam variants in market in India and elsewhere.

Darjeeling Orange Pekoe and Ceylon broken-orange Pekoe are highly in demand in England. China alone is reported to produce world’s 18 percent production. Parts of Asia like Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia also grow tea as does Kenya and other countries.

Popular Tea Blends

Earl Gray is a blend that combines a black tea with flavor of bergamot. It is smoky and aromatic with just the slightest touch of citrus. Usually Earl Gray is a blend of Indian with Ceylon leaves. Breakfast tea is stronger than Darjeeling and popular blends in this category are the English breakfast, Irish and Scottish Breakfast blends. If you like the aroma of jasmine try Jasmine tea which has a delicate flavor added of green leaf.

English Teas and Ceremonies; History of origin of tea

English Teas and Ceremonies originated early at the time of British. They consumed unprocessed green tea processed in boiling water. This was very beneficial for the human body to keep fit and healthy. English tea is a hot drink which is enjoyed at home as well at the working place. It keeps people fresh and energetic as it changes the body temperature. Tea is used as a medicine as well and as a manner to celebrate an occasion.

Tea enhances learning capacity and helps in sharpening the memory. It also becomes one of the reasons to keep the people in touch with each other. This is one of the essential drinks taken along with the breakfast. Some people are just crazy about it they love to have it and enjoy it with great joy and happiness. One of the essential items to celebrate any occasion is tea. The beverage was introduced by the British in India and from that time it has become part of lifestyle.

At that time the British used to have unprocessed tea. This possessed many antiseptic qualities and cured people from many diseases. This hot beverage is liked in cold days as it gives warmth and helps in controlling body temperature. People even drink about 2-3 cups in a day to keep themselves energetic and active in order to perform their tasks nicely.

Top 7 brands of tea

•    Wagh Bakri is one of the famous brands. The company blends the finest leaves and sells them under many brands which are worldwide famous and well liked.
•    Society brand is mostly liked among the people during functions.
•    Duncan’s double diamond tea is one of the famous brands among the leading one.
•    Brooke Bond red label tea is one of the high revenue products of Hindustan Unilever and a popular brand name.
•    Taj Mahal is also of the high segment revenue product of Hindustan Unilever and gives a satisfactory taste to the people.
•    Tata tea is one of the in demand products from the House of Tatas.
•    Lipton’s famous product is Lipton tea but as compared to the above mentioned product it’s not that popular.

Different types of tea

Tea Ceremony is one of the reasons to invite someone home or to go out with friends and relatives. Different brands of tea are available in the market which can be consumed according to one’s taste. Different age groups of people like different types of teas with different brand names. There are various types of this beverage like chai, ice tea, green tea, bubble tea etc. These are available and made in home as well as in market.
Tea has become the drink during celebrations and gives happiness to number of people.

Tea in India

Of all the conquerors the British had a long lasting impact on the people of India. They introduced many things that are still a part of Indian society. Like the English language, tea was propagated during the Raj and both have proved beneficial.    

Tea leaf grew since ages in the wilds of Eastern India and China and was unheard of in many parts of the country. Early morning intake was milk and jelebi a spiraled  sweet made of flour deep fried and then dipped in tons sugar syrup. The leafs were used as medicine during the 18th and 19th century in the country.

The plantations came into picture during the late 18th century. The promotional campaign started by Indian Tea Association slowly and painstakingly popularized the hot beverage all over. The brew made inroads into the heart mind and tongues of the people of this country.   

Today India is the largest producer of tea leaf in the World. The blending and tasting is an art that few can master and these are the masters who deliver the finest brew to our doorstep. Tea is grown in Assam, Darjeeling, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These are high quality leaves and have found favors in International Markets.

Chai is the most popular form which is brewed with addition of milk and sugar. The masala chai in addition contains herbs and spices which are medicinal in nature and add to the flavor and taste. Most popular addition in the brew is ginger, cardamom and garam masala.  This tea is consumed mostly in winters.   

The most popular form is the black leaf consumed all over the country. It is made into chai and rarely drunk without addition of milk. The chai stalls are ubiquitous and most visited. It is a favorite past time of India to visit these stalls relaxation and friendly chat.