Have you heard about masala milk tea before? Let’s explore interesting information about this popular tea in this article.
Introduction
Enjoying a cup of masala milk tea in the middle of summer or the freezing winter brings a perfect experience. The combination of black tea, spices, milk, and sugar creates a distinctive balanced taste of masala chai. FGC will introduce useful knowledge about this drink, including its taste, ingredients, origin, and popularity.
What is masala milk tea?
Masala milk tea or masala chai is a popular kind of tea in South Asia areas, especially India. Masala means spices, while chai is the Hindi word for tea. Therefore, masala milk tea can be understood as tea with spices. Masala chai is usually made from black tea (mostly CTC black tea), milk, spices, and sugar. Generally, black tea is brewed in milk and water, then sugar, herbs, and spices are added to create more flavors. There are no fixed recipes for all masala milk tea, and it has become more than just a beverage. It served as a welcoming sign in every Indian family and a break to relax in a busy life.
What is the origin of masala milk tea?
Masala milk tea originated in India during British colonization. While the practice of combining tea with milk and sugar was introduced by the British, Indians adapted the tea and made it suit their taste by adding spices. Worried about the monopoly on tea supply of China, British colonists decided to find another source of tea plants in the Assam region. The British started tea cultivation here, using Indian laborers. However, because of the lack of knowledge, the consumption and quality of black tea grown in India remained quite low.
In the early 20th century, the Indian Tea Association ran a promotional campaign to boost tea drinking habits. It promoted giving workers tea breaks in many factories, mines, and textile mills, as well as supported the appearance of chaiwalas near the railway system. Chaiwalas, who sold tea in the Indian subcontinent, began to add milk and spices to tea. Nevertheless, the addition of spices to tea did not gain support of the British, who attempted to shut down any stalls that differed from the standard. That obviously did not succeed, as masala milk tea still survives to this day.
Which spices are used in masala milk tea?
Traditionally, masala milk tea is a spiced drink made with various spices. It is the spices that create the difference between every masala chai recipe. The basic spices of all masala milk tea are cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Besides, some other versions of masala chai might contain nutmeg, mace, fennel, rose, mint, lemongrass, tulsi, ajwain, saffron, or star anise. To make masala chai, you can use fresh whole or ground spices. Spices ground to a grind may produce somewhat stronger and more aromatic masala milk tea.
As masala milk tea is now popular not only in India, the regional differences, classism, and personal taste might lead to the variety of recipes when it comes to spices. Each family will have a blend that suits its taste. For instance, saffron and cardamom are some of the most expensive spices, so they are not affordable for many people to drink daily. Cloves and black pepper are frequently left out in masala chai in western India.
Besides, in the Bhopal region, this drink is usually flavored with a slight amount of salt. Instead of black tea, the Kashmiri variation of masala chai is made using green tea and has a milder spice and salt blend. People also often add baking soda to this version, creating a savory taste and pink hue.
What does masala milk tea taste like?
If you first know about masala milk tea, you might wonder about the taste when added spices to tea. In general, masala chai has a complex flavor, which is rich and aromatic, and contains hints of both sweetness and spice. The spicy flavor of spices will balance with the bold acid notes of black tea and the sweetness of sugar or honey. The tea leaves and spices are mixed before brewing to create a flavorful combination.
There are many variations of masala milk tea, and with each blending, the taste will vary. For example, cardamom will bring a sweet and floral note with a unique scent, while ginger provides a pungent, spicy, and warm flavor. Besides, clove is a spicy and sweet spice with a hint of bitterness. The pungent and spicy notes with a slightly biting taste can be offered by adding black pepper. Therefore, depending on your taste, you can try out different types of masala milk tea by combining various spices.
Why is masala milk tea popular in India?
India is one of the largest tea consumers and the second largest tea producer in the world. It is known for its diverse cultures and cuisines, but the shared love of masala chai or masala milk tea unites the entire country, becoming a staple of most Indian families. Masala milk tea is more than just a regular cup of tea to Indians. It becomes a sense of identity and a symbol of hospitality, linking Indians to their heritage.
Besides, there are also many other reasons why Indians are fond of masala chai. Masala milk tea contains black tea, milk, sugar and many types of spices with their various health benefits. It is believed to protect people from cold or seasonal diseases. Moreover, as there is no unique blend of masala chai, Indians can freely choose their favorite spices while making it. Given India’s reputation as a spice center and the love of Indians for spices and tea, masala milk tea is preferred by most people here. Additionally, masala chai is favored in India as it is one of the symbols of Indian culture and associated with other tea cultures in the world.
About Future Generation Co.,Ltd
Future Generation Company Limited is one of the largest beverage suppliers in Vietnam, with 26 years of experience in production and export. FGC is equipped with modern machines such as Hotfill PET and TetraPak, ensuring high-capacity production. FGC strives to achieve our mission to become Vietnam’s leading healthy beverage company. Our factories also meet international standards such as ISO, HACCP, etc. In addition, we constantly innovate our machinery system, strengthen production capacity, and increase productivity.
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