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What is Masala Chai? Is it good for you?

What is Masala Chai? Is it good for you?
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Have you ever wondered what is Masala Chai, Indian Spice Tea or Chai Tea Latte on the cafe shop menu? You will be glad to know the story behind that will help you order the right type of chai. This is the tale of the ever popular Indian Masala Chai and the benefits of drinking it.

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Not long ago, Masala chai stall was something that you would find at every few steps in narrow Indian by lanes and on National highways .

A very common sit down and chat over a cuppa spice tea kind of thing.

It did not require going to a fancy cafe and ordering a ‘Chai Latte’ from the menu just because it sounded different and exotic!

Who was to know that this humble Indian spice tea would take over many cafe menu boards and turn into a sophisticated drink!

Where Does Chai Come From?

My first experience of coming across the term ‘Chai Tea’ was looking at the Starbucks menu board and staring at something that was both intriguing and amusing.

chai latte menu board
Menu board of a cafe

It read ‘Chai Tea Latte’, which interestingly use 3 languages to describe a cup of Tea. ‘Chai’ in Hindi (Indian language) meant â€˜Tea’, ‘Tea’ as we all know is an English word for the beverage, while ‘Latte’ is Italian for milk.

So the literal translation of ‘Chai Tea Latte’ is ‘Tea Tea Milk’!

That was enough to put me off trying something that perhaps even the makers did not know what it really was!

So to answer the question, Masala Chai Tea translates to Spicy Tea which originates from the Indian Subcontinent.

My curiosity took better of me and I did try ‘Chai Tea Latte’.

If I am to be honest, I was disappointed with the milky, bland, flavour lacking light brown liquid in a large tall glass!!

It did not taste anything like an Indian spice tea would.

So needless to say I stuck with making my own at home.

But one has to acknowledge the global reach and commercial acclaim a humble cup of regional tea has gained!

What Is The Difference Between Masala Chai and Chai Tea?

It hopefully makes better understanding of this popular beverage.

‘Masala’ is an Indian word which means a blend of spices and ‘chai’ means tea.

One of the first things you should do is start referring to chai as just ‘chai’ rather than chai tea as you are actually saying the word twice in two different languages.

In terms of the authenticity of taste and the difference between chai, masala chai or Indian spice tea is the ingredients used.

Let us see the different types of Indian chai:

Normal chai or Tea

It is the type that is made without any spices. You can choose to add milk or sugar or serve without.

Masala Chai

This is the chai or the Indian milk tea as some call it made with spices, sugar, milk and in some cases fresh ginger.

Herbal Chai

A type of tea made using the Ayurvedic principles using health beneficial herbs such as holy basil, licorice root, lemongrass etc.

There are many different chai recipes. Some are made without spices, some with limited spices and herbs and others pretty strong on spices.

There is also the difference of intensity on flavour, milkiness and sweetness.

Most households and roadside tea stalls have their own special chai recipe.

In short, the difference between chai tea, chai tea latte and Masala chai is :

  1. the way it is spelled and spoken 🙂
  2. where it is served – ie. cafes, household, street vendor, etc
  3. the types and quantity of chai ingredients used to make the tea
Indian road side masala chai tea stall
A typical Indian street side ‘Masala Chai’ tea stall

Masala Chai Benefits, Are There Any?

I start every cooking class with offering my guests ie. attendees with a cup of hot Indian Masala tea.

The question, that normally follows is ‘ is masala chai

I do not have a scientific theory to back the understated benefits of drinking Masala chai, but I speak from personal experience of years of drinking Masala chai especially when I feel a cold coming or need a boost to slacking energy.

I am not a very winter or autumn kinda person. It makes me lazy and lethargic.

Given a choice, I would simply love a duvet day with only a hot cuppa spicy masala chai and buttered toast for company !!

You will find many websites stating the benefits of drinking Masala Chai but the once written here are those I  have personally felt. In a nutshell, I can put down 5 benefits of drinking masala chai:

1. Anti inflammatory:

Most spices used to make masala chai not only have their individual health benefits but they work in synergy to help your body combat inflammation. The main Anti-inflammatory ingredients being ginger and cloves which also help in reducing pain. ( remember how clove oil helps reduce toothache?)

2. Beats fatigue:

We all know that tea contains caffeine which is a stimulant, and what we reach for when we need to energise a tired mind and body.  The tannins present in tea help calm the body and revitalize it.

Adding uplifting spices such as green cardamoms and cinnamon to a stimulant like caffeine acts as the best way to drive away fatigue.

3. Fights cold and flu:

Most spices especially those used in making chai tea are believed to strengthen the immune system and keep common infections at bay.

The immunity-boosting and body warming effects of clove, cinnamon, green cardamom, and ginger make masala chai a great way to keep coughs and colds at bay.

4. Relieves PMS:

When it comes to that time of the month and you need something to fight the annoying PMS, tea is your go-to buddy.

The painkiller spices such as clove, cardamom, and cinnamon help deal with period pains by relaxing the muscles and keep your nerves calm.

5. Boosts metabolism:

The caffeine present in tea leaves promotes lipolysis that is the process of breaking down stored fat and stimulates cycles that metabolize fats.  According to Ayurveda Tea leaves are known as a heat-generating substance and therefore helps speed up your metabolism.

So pick up a cup of this hot delectable medicinal drink to keep those extra inches off but do remember to stay clear from sugar!

Masala chai benefits

Masala Chai Tea Recipe

Masala chai as you would have gathered by now is a spicy sweet milky aromatic tea.

The uniqueness is the mix of whole spices used. Some choose to add ginger and few may not.

A recipe for Indian Masala chai varies in different households and as per personal taste.

The recipe lists spices that you can choose to make Indian spice tea at home giving you the flexibility to alter the recipe to suit your taste and experiment with other spices and flavours.

Here is a fool proof Masala chai recipe to follow.

RECAP

Indian spice tea also know as chai tea (that is two times tea) is slightly different than regular tea.

Masala chai is traditionally boiled instead of brewed in hot water, milk with a selection of spices and sweetened to varying degrees.

If milk and sugar is not your thing then you can easily substitute the two with lactose free milk or leave them out.

There are many reasons for you to grab a cup of hot Indian masala chai to kick start your day or when you need an energy boost.

Promise you wont be disappointed.

Do share your experience below of sipping on a cup of this aromatic Indian milky tea.

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