indian chaiIndian Chai - Black Tea Indian chai - or black tea, is the most common tea we drink here in the UK. The tea tree is native to the whole monsoon area of southeast Asia and is the same plant that is used for both Green and Black teas - the only difference is in the production techniques and blend. When the Opium wars broke out between Britain and China in 1840, China refused to export tea to Britain, so we had to look elsewhere. Northern India was chosen for its climate, but also because tea bushes were found growing naturally in the Assam region. The first shipment of Assam black tea reached London in the mid-nineteenth century. Other parts of India are also very famous for their tea production, principally Darjeeling and Nilgiri, and in the 1870s Ceylon also became a major tea-producing area. Indian Chai has long been a popular drink in India where tiny tea stalls line the roadsides and all day long chayvalas (tea sellers) serve hot and thirsty customers. This incredibly refreshing brew is a combination of black tea and assorted natural spices - often including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves or black pepper - and is usually drank with milk and/or sugar. < Click here to contact us with any comments or additional information > |
