C is for Chai !

There is a reason I used "C" for chai and not "T" for Tea. Chai evokes many memories in my mind whereas tea just reminds me of black Tea without milk. Chai to me is the Indian Tea, with milk and spices. (To all my Non-Indian readers, Chai is simply the Hindi word for Tea) 

Nobody takes their Chai as seriously as my parents. For them it’s not just a cup of tea, it’s a sacred ritual. Their morning Chai routine is unwavering. The Tea kettle must be heated to the correct temperature and if its winter the cups must be gently rinsed in warm water. The tea leaves and spices are put in just as the water begins to boil and left to steep for exactly two minutes. (yes yes they do go by the clock)

The tea is poured out and my Dad sniffs at the aroma with the air of a connoisseur. The first sip is taken, A marie biscuit broken into two and reverently eaten with the ambrosial brew. You can almost see the smile of contentment on their faces. They have other cups of tea throughout the day, but nothing is as sacred and important as that first morning cup. 

I usually don’t approach my parents until they have had their morning cup of tea. They are far more amicable after that first cuppa!

My father loves his tea. We went to Palampur last year, all of us looking forward to relaxing amongst the mountains and the lush greenery of the tea gardens. He on the other hand just had one motive - to Drink the Famous Kangra tea. And he drink he did by the gallon, sitting in his hotel balcony overlooking the tea gardens. !

A tea garden near our resrot

I have some wonderful travel memories associated with Tea. My favorite memory is of driving through the Himalayas and stopping at a small road side Dhabha. It was cold and drizzling and we were starved. The owner made us crispy Pakoras and we washed them down with cups of steaming Ginger – Cardamom Tea. We couldn't have asked for anything better on that chilly evening. 

A few months back While trekking along the Pangong lake in Ladakh, we befriended a feisty young girl called Padma. She took us to meet her family and we had delicious cups of Gur Gur Chai (Salty Yak – Butter Tea) sitting on yak fur rugs in her smoky kitchen.

Another memorable cup of tea was with the Indian soldiers at Khardungla Pass.(The highest motorable road in the world) It was bitterly cold and that steaming cup of tea they gave us literally helped in thawing us out. It was a fantastic experience chatting with the Soldiers who have spent so many years in that sub zero temperature.

And since we are on the subject of Tea how can we forget Japan! Incidentally Tea is Japanese is called “Cha” 

I had Green tea for the first time when I went to japan and I have been hooked to it since. For the Japanese serving tea is a ceremony in itself. They have a wide range of Cha to choose from depending on the season and what is being eaten.

Japan is where tea is served both hot and cold and you can buy it in plastic bottles from vending machines. 

I think it’s the only country that uses green tea in cakes and sweets as well. The Haagen Dazs there serves tea flavored ice cream and there are green tea KitKats :p