Chai consists of water, loose tea, spices, milk and sugar. This is a drink used to spark conversations, keep you warm on a cold day or to finish a wedding celebration. In Pakistan there are chai stalls in the middle of bazaars, served at restaurants and coffee shops and found brewing in every household. Chai comes in many different flavours. These flavours vary from region to region. Typically it contains ginger, cloves, and cardamom. While saffron, nutmeg, fennel, black cardamom and cinnamon can make an appearence in some regions. This tasty drink is also enjoyed with some popular South-Asian delicacies like jalebi, pakora, samosa and rusk
Chai
Every Pakistani's first love
The name Chai is actually the Hindi word for "tea," which was derived from "Cha", the Chinese word for "tea". In this case, the Hindi term Chai means a mix of spices steeped into a tea-like beverage. Indian Karak Chai tea, or Masala Chai is an aromatic, spiced tea with milk that is famous worldwide for its unique taste. Known widely for its delicious blend of spices that lend to its unique flavor, Karak Chai has made a statement on the world stage. And is widely enjoyed in India, Pakistan, Qatar, UAE and other Middle Eastern and Arabic countries.
.تم، میں، بارش اور چائے
A type of chai that is a personal favourite and loved by many
Kashmiri's and Pakistani's is the Kashmiri chai also known as Pink
tea. Kashmiri Chai or Noon Chai is a hot tea beverage originating
from the Kashmir Valley. Made with green tea leaves, this pink chai
has a rich and creamy flavour with a distinctive rosy pink colour
that is a result of baking soda and a special aeration technique.
How does Kashmiri Chai turn pink? During
the first cook the green tea leaves react with alkaline baking soda
to create a maroon base for the tea. Then when you add ice-cold
water you essentially shock the tea into preserving its colour, and
then aerate to enhance it.
Want to be a Chai Lover
Why not make simple chai in just a few minutes (one serving)
Ingredients
- Milk - (Half a cup)
- Water - (Half a cup)
- Sugar - (3 teaspoons or to your taste)
- Teabag - ( 1 Or loose tea - 1 teaspoon the more you add the stronger the flavour.)
- Cardamom 1 peice - (any spice you want to try BUT just a small amount)
- Saucepan & Sieve
- Steps to make chai
- First, add the water and milk in to the saucepan and let them heat. When the mix has been heated not boiled add the sugar.
- Check with a spatula to see if the sugar has started to melt. Then add the teabag / loose tea. Let this boil for 2-3 minutes. Then, on low heat, let it simmer for about 2 minutes and lightly pat the teabag to bring out more flavour.
- Add Cardamom or any spice you want to try. REMEMBER only add a small amount as the spices can be too strong and overpower the overall flavour of chai.
- Finally, boil for 2-3 minutes. Then strain through a fine sieve, into a cup.
Coded by Sadiyya Khan 🧕 2022