by Pauline Abreu

Created on: August 01, 2009   Last Updated: September 07, 2009

Chai is an Indian tea, which contains milk, sweetner, and has a combination of different spices added to it. Cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are among the various spices used in the making of Chai tea. It is said that the tea has a calming effect on the person, reduces stress, while also helping the digestive system. The tea has been a beverage in India for a very long time, and it has become popular all over the world. The word chai is merely the Indian word for tea, there are also other, mainly Asian countries who also use the word chai when describing tea.

A long time ago tea was used as a herbal medicine, and not just for an enjoyable drink. The tea plant has grown in Assam, Northeastern India for many years. During the 1830's it became prevalent that China were supplying the British with a wealth tea. The British began to worry about this, and decided to make their own tea to gain the benefits from manufacturing such a popular drink. At this time the people of Britain discovered Assamese tea plants, they started to cultivate the tea plants locally. However, by 1870 there was still 90% of people who preferred Chinese tea. By the 1900's this changed with most of the British drinking Indian tea, and tea from Ceylon.

A British owned company named the Indian Tea Association, popularised chai tea, and tea in general in the early 20th Century. The company made a decision that employer would provide workers with a tea break. At this time the consumption of tea multiplied in India and all over the world. Chai has now established itself as one of the most popular teas of all time. Loose black tea is boiled with milk and water to make chai tea, then sweetners and spices are added to make a nice milky, sweet, but slightly spicy flavor.

Chai tea is made differently according to the country where it made, sometimes the ingredients are all boiled together, but some people put the spices and sweetner in last. Nowadays, when not in Asia, a person can find chai tea in most restaurants that serve Asian cuisine. Chai is now just as popular served as a cold beverage as it is as a hot tea. In America chai is consumed as a slushy, cold drink, that is something similar to a milkshake. This tea continues to be popular, and has proved to be a real legacy as far as the traditions of tea drinking are concerned.

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