Introduction to Chai
Chai, a sweet and spicy
aromatic milk and water based tea fills the aroma of the house every morning
and evening (if not more). After living in U.S. for 3 years now, I still feel I
crave for chai each day unlike my friends in this coffee-loving country. Well,
if America runs on coffee (whether Dunkin or Starbucks), India runs on chai. I have my share of rendezvous with
my Dad’s special cappuccino, filter coffee from South India and the relief of
instant coffee when my brain requires caffeine- but chai wins it for me.
Calling someone for chai
has many different meanings and connotations. As people ask someone out for
coffee for networking or dating- calling someone for chai is about building
personal bonds at home- sometimes over awkward conversations. Bollywood song, ‘isiliye mummy ne meri tujhe chai pe bulaya
hai’ rings the bell about a guy being called to his beau’s home for chai to
further the conversation about their marriage. On the other hand, offering a
cup of chai to someone who is stressed is also extending that hand of warm
friendship, ‘Have a cup of chai and you will feel better or Let’s talk this
over a cup of chai’.
Chai holds a ‘dear’ place
in the hearts of most Indians where offering a cup of chai is not only
considered as hospitality but accepting one is even mandatory to keep the
respect of the host. Many times during my visit to villages on work, people
would insist on having a tea before moving forward. And it was considered rude
to say ‘no’.
Everyone likes their chai
in different proportions of its ingredients. Since childhood, I learned that my
Dad’s version of more water-less milk chai was different than my Mom’s milky chai.
My Uncle’s all-milk chai was another story! But my best cup of chai is made by
my Hubby every morning (or evening)! Aha the aroma and served right to bed…….nothing
can beat that!
Living in Bihar, I came
across abridged version called chai-coffee which was chai with a hint of coffee
in it. On top of that, it was cooked on a coal stove and contracted the musky
smell of coal giving it a distinct flavor. We enjoyed it most times with
conversations with complete strangers, discussing caste, religion or politics. Recently,
I also came to know this is called ‘maara-maari’ in Pune which literally means ‘fight’.
I wonder if this is the fight of coffee vs chai! Lol.
Sugar content in chai is
another interesting subject. As a standard practice in most parts of India, more
the sugar in the chai, the more the host is trying to please you (Don’t worry I
keep that count right at our place in case you drop in for a chai). Very soon
after marriage, my hubby’s friends learned that the new sister-in-law keeps the
chai less sweet but covers it up with her behavior! With diabetic genes, one
cannot help but be careful.
My friends all over the
world love me for my chai- including Africans (especially Kenyans who also call
it Chai), Asians and folks from U.S. Chai has been our binder on many occasions
when all we wanted to do was to sit around each other and talk about issues
which mattered to us and affected us in many ways- from social issues to
personal troubles… to spirituality. Chai complements them all. My heart fondly
remembers many such friendly and deep, even profound conversations along with
chai. My intention through this series is to give a peak into those beautiful
conversations. I hope you enjoy this chai-time bonding moments with me…..
You, Me and Chai is an
effort to bring those conversations to you which happen among friends along
with tea, whether it is at chai at roadside or at the comfort of your home. It
is an open platform among friends to share their thoughts and reflections…..If
you want to contribute to the conversations, please write to us! We would love
to hear what you talk about during your chai-time J
