The Ritual of Chai

India’s beloved tea is much more than a caffeine fix.

WORDS Henna Bakshi
IMAGES Vidhya Nagarajan

When you knock on the door at my family home, you are greeted not with a hello, but instead with the question: “Chai?” This offering of hot tea is an invitation to relax and stay a while—it is comfort and gathering.

I am from New Delhi, India, where a hot cup of chai is as sacred as water. The Eastern Indian states of Assam, Sikkim and West Bengal, home to the famous tea region of Darjeeling, produce some of the highest-quality black teas in the world.

Now more than ever before, chai is offered at coffee and tea shops around the U.S., though it is important to understand that chai is more than just a flavor. 

A TASTE OF CHAI

For traditional chai, black tea leaves are added to boiling water on a stove. The leaves, with sugar, are brewed to the desired strength with multiple boils, and then milk or cream is added before another boil.

To make masala chai, whole spices like green cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorn, ginger root and fennel are added with the tea leaves to the brew.

Once the chai is ready, it is strained into individual cups or a teapot.

It is this process of brewing tea, with multiple boils, that makes chai time so special—where the air is scented with spices and filled with an anticipation of warmth and snacks.

“Each morning, I look forward to making chai by myself and enjoying it peacefully during a few moments of ‘Chai Meditation,’” says Monica Sunny, CEO and founder of The Chai Box, a purveyor of all things chai listed among Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2021. 

“I began to share my morning ritual on social media, talking about the benefits of spices, how to make a proper cup of chai, and encouraging people to take time for themselves,” she says. “I love the process of making chai and deciding on what spices to use on a daily basis to change up the taste and feel. Most importantly, I love the feeling that drinking chai evokes.”

Sunny posts videos of herself in what can only be described as an ASMR of making chai. Her soothing voice, the calm in her kitchen and the steam from her cup are all part of what makes the ritual of chai a relaxing one. 

STEEP EVOLUTION

The word “chai” comes from the Chinese word for tea, cha. The journey of chai began  in ancient China, where tea was first discovered and used for its medicinal properties. It is believed that tea was introduced to India by traders and travelers along the ancient Silk Road.

Tea became popular in India during the British colonial period between 1858 and 1947, and the Indian version of tea, or chai, developed its unique character with the use of spices. The British East India Company began large-scale tea cultivation in India in the 19th century. Initially, tea was only for the British elite, but it gradually gained popularity among the local population.

Today, chai has become an integral part of Indian culture and is enjoyed throughout the country. It has also made a splash worldwide with many different variations and interpretations.

“Starbucks played a significant role in making chai more accessible to the American palate with their chai tea latte,” says Poorvi Chordia, a Certified Tea Sommelier by the International Tea Masters Association as well as founder and CEO of tea brand Herbs & Kettles. “Although infused with artificial flavors and an overtly sugary drink, it familiarized many individuals with the unique flavors of chai, paving the way for a broader acceptance of this traditional beverage.”

CHAI BENEFITS

Chordia and her husband Abraham are both physicians at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Their interest in tea stemmed from exploring its health benefits and its deeply rooted place in their Indian heritage. They began the tea company together, sourcing blends and single varietals from small farms all over India.

“The rising awareness of health benefits linked to tea consumption has also contributed to the popularity of chai,” says Chordia. “As individuals seek beverages with natural ingredients and avoid artificial flavors, traditional chai, with its blend of spices and herbs, has become an attractive choice.”

Depending on the blend, chai can have around a third of the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee. Additionally, the spices and milk added to chai can further  dilute the beverage’s overall caffeine concentration.

According to PubMed, drinking black tea can reduce the risk of respiratory inflammation and improve gut health. Different spices used in the blend can also offer up a melange of health benefits linked to ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicine system that uses natural ingredients.

The Chai Box offers rooibos-based blends for caffeine-free options, teas with lavender intended to promote relaxation, or even selections with elder berries to help fight a cold. Herbs & Kettles touts their golden turmeric latte known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Another well-sourced tea brand, Chai Ho, has holy basil (also known as tulsi) blends to aid gastrointestinal issues, while Spicewalla’s masala chai is a great ground-spice blend to add to any cup of tea of your choosing.

Beyond health benefits, chai is a communal activity that also involves snacks. Samosas, rusks (an Indian biscotti), fried fritters and Parle-G cookies are all perfect with tea.

But no matter what you’re eating or where you are, it is the time spent with the beverage and the people around it that makes chai time a wholesome social experience.

“Chai pe charcha, or conversations around chai, hold a special place in my heart,” says Chordia. “In the morning, our family discusses the day ahead over a cup of chai. Similarly, in the late afternoon, we regroup to share how our day unfolded, accompanied by the comforting warmth of chai.”

In India, the streets are lined with food vendors and chaiwallas, tea-makers who sling freshly brewed chai in clay cups. The drink is affordable and accessible for all, making it a national treasure in most households. During celebrations, get-togethers, and arranged marriage proposals, chai takes center stage as a token of familiarity and an invitation to get to know one another. The amount of milk and sugar can divide a house, or the right amount of cardamom can impress a mother-in-law.

Chai is fun, it is flavor and it is history wrapped up in one warm cup.