The love that Indians have for Chai is quite well known, and this is more so in the winter months. Most people would love to get their hands on a chai cuppa and sip the chai to keep the winter blues away. It is also a well-established fact that tea or chai does have many health benefits as well. From helping you keep cancer and cardiovascular diseases away to research suggesting links with Alzheimer’s prevention, there is so much to the simple chai. So, perhaps, it is not so bad after all, to reach out for a cup of tea this winter, and stay warm. However, uniformity can bring in a sense of boredom, and perhaps, this winter, you can dish out, different flavors of chai every other day, just to keep the variety going.
Adrak chai (Ginger tea)
One of the most popular and coveted, as well as healthy versions of tea, ginger tea is a big hit, especially during winter. This provides the much-needed warmth to the body, as well as, helps build the immunity to fight the seasonal issues. You do not have to do anything special here, and just need to add, some washed and crushed a piece of ginger to the tea when you are boiling it. It is best to add milk at the end.
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Tulsi tea
Tulsi is an herb that is found easily in most Indian households, as it is revered and considered very auspicious. Tulsi provides immense health benefits to us and can help keep the cold-related issues at bay. Again, all you need to do is add a few washed Tulsi leaves to the tea, while boiling it. It also provides a very good flavor as well as a mild fragrance to the drink.
Lemon tea or Nimbu chai
This is a special kind of tea, taken mostly by people who prefer tea without milk or are health freaks. For lemon tea, you boil water and tea leaves and make the concoction ready. Then add a few drops of fresh lemon juice, based on how much tanginess you need in your tea, and you may want to top it up with a spoon of honey or sugar or sip it as is.
Masala tea
Chai masala is a common thing in many parts of India, and many people prepare and keep it at home, while a few others buy it ready-made. In fact, all you need to do is powder some cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, etc., which are usually available in all Indian homes. A pinch of this can be added to the boiling tea mixture, in order to get the multiple flavors and a good fragrance to your tea.
Sulaimani chai
This is a special variety of brewed tea, found in some select parts of the country, especially Hyderabad and Kerala. Having a Sulaimani tea after a heavy lunch of Biriyani is common around here, and is said to aid digestion. For making a Sulaimani, you need to preferably pick good Assamese tea leaves, to get a bright color. This is also a tea served without milk and usually comes with the cinnamon flavor. Tea leaves boiled in water with cinnamon, and at times a pinch of washed and cut mint leaves make up the Sulaimani mostly. You then add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and jaggery if required.
Kahwa
Kahwa is another version of tea, from the Kashmir, which is now slowly gaining popularity across India. This tea uses spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron, as it is common in Kashmir. To make Kahwa, you need to boil water with cinnamon, cardamom, saffron (few strands), and if available a few rose petals as well. Once this is boiled for a few minutes, add green tea leaves and simmer for a while and then switch off, and let it stand for a while. Then strain into a cup, and add some dry fruit toppings like thin almond or pistachio shreds. Honey, sugar or jaggery is optional, as desired.
Butter tea
Originating and popular in the Himalayan region, Butter tea is a yummy tea, that can take the bite out of the winter cold. Interestingly, this is a salty tea with a taste of butter. You need to boil tea leaves with a pinch of salt and brew it for a while. Pour this mixture into a slightly big container which can act as a churner, and add butter into it as well. Then shake the container to mix up all the ingredients and serve it out into cups.
In fact, in Tibet, they have special tea leaves and butter and containers for this. However, we can make do without that as well.
