Today, May 21, is International Tea Day. This day marks the start of awareness raising about the rich cultural and economic history behind tea. In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe International Tea Day after the Food and Agricultural Organization Intergovernmental Group discussed increasing tea demand in tea-producing nations. Here’s a look at Indian tea traditions as we celebrate International Tea Day 2022.
We’ll be looking at the different traditions of Chai across India.
Gujarati Ukado
The herbal tea of the state not only satisfies your taste buds, but also acts as a treatment for common ailments. It is rich in ingredients such as honey, lemon, ginger and mint that help boost immunity.
Kashmiri noon Chai
The tea comes from Kashmir’s northern region and is very pleasant to the eyes. It has a pinkish tint to it. It can be prepared by adding cinnamon, cardamom, and almond to green tea leaves. You can also add salt to enhance the flavor.
Irani Chai
People living in Pune and Hyderabad love this tea for its strong aroma of spices. Along with the chai, one often eats bun maska or maska pav.
Bengal’s Labu Cha
Black chai from West Bengal is made by brewing tea leaves, not tea powder. It takes the chai to a new level when you add ginger powder, lemon juice and black salt. Many Bengalis love to have it as a staple, while they chat over nukkad Chai points and enjoy a drink.
Mangalorean Kasai
This tea, similar to the Gujarati Ukado is well-known for its health benefits. Mangaloreans often drink it as a kadha, with condiments such as coriander, jeera and fenugreek. The perfect sweetness is added by the sugar or misri.
