There is nothing more true to the Indian heart than masala tea – it evokes memories of breakfasts with your grandparents, the bustle of trains in railway stations, or the chatter of your fellow students in the cafeteria. We have a rich history associated with chai, just as it has changed with us.
The journey of tea in India isn’t a simple one. It all began with the East India Company in 1835: the British were the largest consumers of tea in the world at the time, supplied mainly by China. Looking for an alternate supplier, the British began to grow the now world-famous black tea in Assam. However, at the time, this was never a common drink for the masses – considered too expensive and ‘Western’.
That changed in the 1900s with the advent of our classic masala chai. Indians began using less tea leaves, choosing to add milk and sugar to bring out the flavours of the steeped tea. The further addition of the Indian kitchen staples of ginger, cardamom and cloves served to make it a beverage that captured all of India’s flavour in one sip.
By the 1960s, when the Crush Tear Curl, called as CTC method of tea leaf cultivation flourished, tea became the household beverage it is today. Of course, owing to India’s cultural and regional diversity, it was not long before a variety of different types of the masala chai were invented – from Assam to Punjab, and Mumbai to Kolkata.
Unbeknownst at the time, this mixture of spices would provide numerous health benefits to the Indian public. One glass of hot masala chai with the right ingredients has the following benefits:
- Ginger, which provides anti-inflammation effects
- Clove, which has anti-inflammation effects and may act as a painkiller
- Elaichi, and tulsi, which aid in the digestion process
- Cinanamon, which boosts immunity and prevents nasal congestion
- Small amount of caffeine from the tea, which has anti-oxidization properties
The mixture of these ingredients also prevents bloating, facilitates weight loss, soothes menstrual cramps, controls cholesterol levels, regulates blood circulation and blood pressure, and improves metabolism. To bring you the healthiest taste of authentic India, we at Tea Trove work with tea artisians to combine locally sourced ingredients and international production techniques. Find the taste of your home with the perfect chai.
The Assam Masala Tea is the original chai, one of the first froms of tea to be popularized in India. This brew is made of Assam CTC tea, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom - the perfect taste of India. It also helps in boosting immunity and lowering cholesterol level.
The Kolkata Kesari tea is a perfect blend of spices and finest black tea. It is made of Assam CTC tea, ginger, saffron, cardamom, nutmeg – giving your taste buds a warm aroma and spicy taste. It is particularly good to reduce inflammation, weight loss and lowering cholesterol level. Kolkata Kesari Tea also helps regulating blood pressure and anti-ageing.
Punjabi Masala Tea is a burst of flavour akin to the boisterous and warm nature of its creators. It is made of Assam CTC Tea leaves spiced with ginger, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, star anise, and cinnamon. It is best served alongside the robust flavors from a Punjabi kitchen, this milky Indian spice karak tea is the perfect accompaniment with any kind of food
Mumbal Cutting Chai is a popular spiced tea blend from the streets and corner stalls of Mumbai. Also called Karak Mumbai Chai, it is a strong milk tea blend created using strong, best quality Assam Black CTC tea leaves and exotic Indian spices - ginger, cardamom, and fennel. This typical Mumbaikar drink also aids in weight loss, lowers cholesterol levels, and regulates blood pressure.
Our organic Jaggery Indian Elaichi blend of Assam CTC Tea, cardamom, rose, fennel and Indian jaggery channel the rustic sense of olden India. It also aids in weight loss and acts as cleansing agent, regulates blood pressure, anti ageing, remedy for cold
Can’t choose? Invest in this collection of five masala chai variants to pick your favourite.