Chai one of the most talked and written about beverage especially in India. There are songs, musings, poems, articles, discussions, and what not centered around Chai. Even today, before anything else Chai is prepared in most of our Indian kitchens which marks the start of a day. One could probably find at least one post about Chai daily on social media. It is quite a revered relationship with Chai. It reigns as the most popular choice of beverage in India, be it at homes, offices, shops or streets.
History suggests that tea originated in China. It was used primarily for medicinal purpose. This tea was quite expensive and consumed only by the upper strata of the society. Once the trade routes were formed and started to be used, tea reached the European side too. It soon gained popularity especially in Britain, while still being consumed by the upper class. At that point of time, Britain's only supplier was China for tea.
While in India, historical evidence suggests that a tribe in Northeastern India, around Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Singpho tribe, used a native plant's leaves to prepare a hot beverage. The plant's leaves were boiled with water and consumed as a beverage in the 13th century. This was the beverage later discovered by the British which led to cultivation of this plant in 19th century. The Britishers realized that the taste is quite similar to tea which they have been consuming. This plant of Assam proved to be quite economical. It offered the flavor profile of tea with richness in aroma too.
With the cultivation of the native plant in Assam, Britishers strongly pushed the promotion of this tea in India. The push led by British resulted in tea being sold at quite low prices at various places such as stations for travelers, in factories for workers during breaks and at numerous stalls on streets.
While traditionally tea was prepared by boiling tea leaves with water, Britishers also started adding milk and sugar to it. This added another layer of flavor to the beverage. The addition of milk and sugar was introduced in India as well. There was addition of spices too to make it more flavorful and aromatic. Soon this concoction is what came to be known as our beloved Chai!
Chai was a major foreign exchange contributor post India's independence. India is now one of the largest producer and consumer of Chai. It became quite popular and soon a part of hospitality, an important part of every big or small conversation, gathering or meeting. In today's date there are so many variations and combinations evolved across states in India. There are new age organizations dedicated towards revamping Chai. It is all for the love of Chai!
Hope you enjoyed this short story of our Indian Tea or Chai.
