Some things give great comfort...warm milk on a winters night, a nice cup of tea when you need soothing. Chai has it all built into one. A friend mentioned chai, and it piqued my curiosity. Being of English origin, "a nice cup of tea" is the remedy for many ailments. Now, I can appreciate good coffee, but really, tea is more my drink of choice. I decided to investigate the chai option.
Off to Macro to see what I could find, I immediately recognised the Chai box from memories past. I don't know where I would have come across it, but I knew that I had seen it somewhere. Maybe my oldest sister, being a flower child in the 70's had drunk it? I just can't recall. But, as I picked up the box, I felt compelled to do as it said ....."smell the packet....enjoy the way it evokes visions of the maharaja's palace where chai was first brewed...bla bla bla". Being the good girl that I am, I always do as I'm told. Away I sniffed. Oh..the memories. Again, I'm not sure where they come from, when I've had it but the smell was a nice memory lurking in the back of my mind. It reminded me of the way the old fashioned health food shops used to smell..the suburban ones..not the shiny new macro styled ones.
I parted with $7.95 for a small box, a bit steep for tea..but I felt I was heading for good times ahead! I hurried home and did my best Polly..putting the kettle on. Actually, the method is more labour intensive...boiling water in a saucepan, adding chai, simmering for a minute before adding milk, but being sure not to boil it and scald the milk! Next step straining, into a cup, then onto the couch and sip sip sipping away.
BEAUTIFUL, CALMING, WARMING, REASSURING....Chai. I think I like it as much as a nice hot cocoa.
Chai is an Indian spiced tea made from a combination of Black Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cassia Bark and Anise. Together it makes a nice combination. I've had it in cafe's with cinnamon on top...and frothy milk...hmmm. Both ways are nice and soothing. Apparently it can also be iced...but not my cup of tea I'm afraid!
Since my forays into the world of Chai..I have realised that it has been all around me, all this time! Even the local cafe serves it. T2 has their own blends, Byron Bay makes some so the choices are endless.
Now...this being my 2nd blog ... please excuse my horrendous spelling in the last blog...I was a tad overexcited by my first blog..and failed to check my typing. Anyway...hapi eating
Off to Macro to see what I could find, I immediately recognised the Chai box from memories past. I don't know where I would have come across it, but I knew that I had seen it somewhere. Maybe my oldest sister, being a flower child in the 70's had drunk it? I just can't recall. But, as I picked up the box, I felt compelled to do as it said ....."smell the packet....enjoy the way it evokes visions of the maharaja's palace where chai was first brewed...bla bla bla". Being the good girl that I am, I always do as I'm told. Away I sniffed. Oh..the memories. Again, I'm not sure where they come from, when I've had it but the smell was a nice memory lurking in the back of my mind. It reminded me of the way the old fashioned health food shops used to smell..the suburban ones..not the shiny new macro styled ones.
I parted with $7.95 for a small box, a bit steep for tea..but I felt I was heading for good times ahead! I hurried home and did my best Polly..putting the kettle on. Actually, the method is more labour intensive...boiling water in a saucepan, adding chai, simmering for a minute before adding milk, but being sure not to boil it and scald the milk! Next step straining, into a cup, then onto the couch and sip sip sipping away.
BEAUTIFUL, CALMING, WARMING, REASSURING....Chai. I think I like it as much as a nice hot cocoa.
Chai is an Indian spiced tea made from a combination of Black Tea, Ginger, Cinnamon, Cardamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Cassia Bark and Anise. Together it makes a nice combination. I've had it in cafe's with cinnamon on top...and frothy milk...hmmm. Both ways are nice and soothing. Apparently it can also be iced...but not my cup of tea I'm afraid!
Since my forays into the world of Chai..I have realised that it has been all around me, all this time! Even the local cafe serves it. T2 has their own blends, Byron Bay makes some so the choices are endless.
Now...this being my 2nd blog ... please excuse my horrendous spelling in the last blog...I was a tad overexcited by my first blog..and failed to check my typing. Anyway...hapi eating
Posts
Welcome on board Happy Blogger, good to see another appetite at work! Looking forward to many future food adventures!
ReplyDeleteI love Chai too but it has to be not too milky or sweet, lots of strong tea and spice flavour, I've tried it cold in summer and it works too!
Ahhh I forgot to mention the honey sweetening! Well..I guess I'm a novice after all. Am just trying to work out how to add a photo..not sure if I can do it after the event...also the spelling? eek.
ReplyDeleteOoh I love chai too! It's so aromatic and comforting :) The box is so retro chic!
ReplyDelete