Chai …the humble Tea in India is brewed in various ways. Plain chai without milk, with milk like a few drops, with milk 50%, boiled and boiled with sugar ginger, with mint,with lemon grass and the list goes on. The tea leaves by themselves are of various variety - Darjeeling, Assam, different brands, green tea, white tea, Rooibos …and more. But for me the best tea is what we call Tapre Chai, brewed by the local guy standing at the corner at a kiosk and making tea from 5am till 6pm. Its sugary,milky , with ginger and brewed and brewed and then served in thermocol glasses piping hot !!! Amazing !!! I can swear by it. Recently a few people have capitalized on this yearning for Chai and started Baked Chai, Tandoor Chai (to me its the same, just another name) and served in clay cups.
Any new Chai place or now another new trend, a chain of Chai places, and I am there. Havnt got photos as this is a must try for me …and if its good, then photos take a back seat. But don’t worry, will be going around to take pictures for you.
The Irani chai too qualifies as the brewed milky tea and if you have it with Toast and a big dollop of butter …wow !!!
The other Tapri chai is best enjoyed with Indian snacks and where there is Tapri chai, there is a vendor giving hot snacks. Best afternoon chai and snack.