by Martin Haschka

Created on: August 11, 2009

The chilly air of a sunny but crisp winter's morning fills the compartment of the train instantly as the weary traveller opens the window while the train comes to a stop in Shamli Station, about 70 miles North of New Delhi. His eyes wander across the platform looking for a Chaiwalla.

"Garam, garam Chai - hot, hot Chai!" a small man pushing a cart calls, slowly making his way along the coaches of the train. The Chaiwalla acknowledges the travellers' flagging and begins to sell his produce to eager hands reaching out of the train's windows. Shortly before the train departs he reaches the traveller, who hands a few rupees to the vendor and receives a small earthen cup filled with a steaming hot liquid plus a cinnamon stick in return. As the train begins to work its way laboriously out of the station he closes the window, then grasps the cup firmly between both his hands lifting it to his lips. His eyes are closed, as he inhales the liquid's aromatic fragrance of cardamom and other spices. He stirs the contents of his cup a few times with the cinnamon stick before he sips the hot sweet liquid as the cup begins to warm his hands again. Very soon the traveller begins to feel the vivifying impact of his drink. He takes his time to relish each of the small sips he takes. After his drink is finished, he opens the window once more to dispose of the cup.

The cup, a 'Chullarh' was made from clay baked over an open fire, most likely by the vendor himself. Soon it will decompose and return to its former state without harming the environment. It was filled with Masala Chai. 'Chai' is derived from the Chinese word 'cha' meaning 'tea', while 'masala' translates as 'spice'. Spiced Tea is one of the most popular drinks across modern India, being consumed everywhere and anytime.

Masala Chai is a strong black tea, usually Broken Assam, diluted with milk (usually 1/4 up to 1/2 of the total liquid). A strong mixture of spices, the main ingredients being cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, star anise and gloves generates its unique taste. Except for the main ingredients, almost every Indian has their own special blend of spices, so the details of the mixture differ widely. The tea is served already sweetened.

Amazingly enough, although Masala Chai is extremely popular in modern India, its popularity doesn't really go back a long way in time.

When Buddha vowed to stay awake for seven consecutive years, he set himself a task he almost failed to accomplish. Only after

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