We're sorry to break it to you, but when you say "chai tea," you're actually saying "tea tea."
As it turns out, "chai" means "tea" in Hindi. However, the warm, spicy, fall-like "chai" you know and love is much more than just plain tea. The correct term for the common use of the word "chai" is "masala chai," which refers to a blend of spices blended into a tea-like beverage. Masala chai, which translates as "spiced tea," is steeped in monarchy and herbal medicine legends.
Masala chai tea is now widely available due to its popularity. However, authentic and high-quality masala chai is more difficult to come by.
This article will teach you everything you need to know about masala chai, including its history, benefits, and how to make masala chai with Mosi Tea's Garden-picked masala chai, as well as how to make masala chai at home using your own tea and spices.
MASALA CHAI'S ORIGINS
Masala chai's origins can be traced back hundreds of years to an ancient royal court. So, if you enjoy chai lattes, you do have something in common with the royals.
Masala chai originated during the British occupation of India in the nineteenth century. Masala chai was originally made with black tea and a variety of spices and served hot or cold to treat minor illnesses.
Even before the British colony occupied India, Indians were used to boiling spices and herbs in water to make medical brews that could be used to treat illnesses and provide other health benefits. During the British occupation of India in 1858, the British colony established tea plantations in Assam, India, where they produced high-quality black teas for export. Originally, tea was primarily an export, and it was prohibitively expensive for the majority of Indians.
However, the British-owned Indian Tea Association began promoting Indian tea consumption in India in the early 1900s. Because most black teas are expensive, sellers still use milk, sugar, and spices to mask the flavour of a lower quality, cheaper tea.
After a few years, the well-known East India Company established a tea plantation method, which helped to expand the tea supply region and made it more affordable for the average consumer – but the process of adding milk, sugar, and whole spices to the tea persisted.
Chai spice tea became popular in India in the 1960s, when a mechanical method of producing tea made black tea more affordable to the general public. Masala chai's popularity has grown steadily since then.
WHAT EXACTLY IS MASALA CHAI?
Masala chai is an Indian black tea drink made by steeping black tea with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. The masala chai ingredients are straightforward, but the spices used in each version may vary. The following spices are used in an authentic masala chai in India:
Green Cardamom Cinnamon CloveGingerBlack pepperOther spices are used in different masala chai recipes. There are modern twists and numerous spices that can be used in a great masala chai, especially after many years of evolution. The proportions are easily adjustable to suit your tastes. Other masala tea variations, depending on your style and taste, can include:
PeppercornsStar aniseNutmegMaceRoseMintLemongrassAjowan Fennel Holy BasilHEALTH ADVANTAGES OF MASALA CHAI
Masala chai was created with Ayurvedic principles in mind, which is traditional medicine that uses herbs and spices to heal. This beverage is an ancient superfood in addition to being royally delicious.
Some of the health benefits of masala chai include:
Improves Immunity
Masala chai is beneficial to the immune system because it contains cinnamon and clove. When the two warm spices are combined, their therapeutic effects are enhanced. Their complementary functions act as a barrier, preventing infections from weakening the immune system. Masala chai also contains nutrients and minerals that are necessary for a healthy,
Immune-boosting body, such as:
Vitamin BPotassiumCaroteneVitamin CMagnesiumInflammation Is Reduced
Fresh ginger is one of the spices in chai masala. Ginger is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its high antioxidant and anti-bacterial content.
Clove has anti-inflammatory properties and is frequently used as a pain reliever. Furthermore, clove and ginger help to prevent plaque formation in your blood vessels and improve heart blood flow.
Aids in Digestion
Masala chai can help with digestion and alleviate stomach discomfort. Spices in masala chai such as clove, green cardamom, and ginger are known to aid digestion and relieve stomach upset. Ginger, in particular, is known to be a digestive superfood because it aids in the delivery of oxygen to organs for optimal performance. It also helps reduce nausea due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the biological compounds gingerol and shogaol.
Enhances Energy Levels
The main ingredient in all forms of masala tea is black tea, which contains caffeine. However, unlike coffee, the caffeine level is relatively low, which means you'll get a boost of energy without experiencing a crash later on.
Improve Your Heart's Health
Cinnamon, one of the main ingredients in masala tea, can help to lower blood pressure. Several studies have also suggested that the black tea used to make masala tea may help lower blood cholesterol levels. In addition, drinking three or more cups of black tea per day appears to lower the risk of heart disease.
Reduced Blood Sugar Levels
Masala chai contains two ingredients that may help lower blood sugar levels: ginger and cinnamon. Cinnamon may assist your body in using insulin to transport sugar from your bloodstream to your cells, thereby decreasing insulin resistance.
Blood Pressure Control
Masala chai can also help with blood pressure problems. Cardamom and clove help to regulate blood pressure and heart rate. It has a blood-dilating effect, which will aid in the treatment of high blood pressure-related medical problems.
Masala chai helps to regulate blood circulation in the body, preventing blood pressure fluctuations.
Improves Metabolism
Masala chai promotes digestion, and as digestion improves, so does metabolism. The ability of masala chai to generate heat aids in the acceleration of your metabolism.
The cinnamon in masala chai helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which is essential for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight. Masala chai has been shown to effectively metabolise glucose and carbohydrates.
Menstrual Cramps Are Reduced
Masala chai's spices work together to relax muscles, calm nerves, and improve mood. This is especially beneficial during a menstrual cycle, as it can help relieve cramps, tiredness, anxiety, and bloating.
Aid in Cancer Prevention
Chai masala tea is high in antioxidants such as catechins and theaflavins. These lower oxidative stress and may aid in the prevention of cancer and other diseases. Because of their immune-boosting properties, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom may also aid in the fight against cancer.
HOW TO MAKE REAL MASALA CHAI?
You've probably heard of chai masala powder, which can be found in most grocery stores as a mix-in to make an instant chai tea latte. While this is an option, tea powder frequently contains added sugar and powdered milk, making for a quick latte but not an authentic chai masala.
We recommend a base of quality black tea for a delicious cup of chai masala. While tea bags can be used, loose leaf tea produces a much fuller-bodied tea. Assam tea is commonly used, but other black teas can be substituted.
You can either brew your loose leaf tea or tea bags first and then add the spices listed in the recipe below, or use Masala Chai, a loose leaf tea blend that has already been spiced to perfection.
For the best masala chai and chai bags, visit Chaibag.com.
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