Whats So Great About Chai Tea?
If you’ve ever gone to a coffee shop, chances are you have heard about chai tea. The name is actually a misnomer, since chai actually means tea in Hindu, where the drink originated. Nevertheless, what people refer to is the rich and spicy tea that originated in India.
What makes chai latte popular is largely its taste. The drink is basically a combination of brewed black tea, usually Assam or Darjeeling, a variety of spices, milk, and a sweetening agent. Recipes are varied, but the most common spices used are cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, peppercorn, and Chinese star anise.
Chai tea actually has a lot of positive effects attributed to it, and has been used in Eastern medicine long before it became popular in the West. It is known to be a stress reliever and a mood elevator, which could explain the bright smile on your face after drinking a cup of the brew. At the same time, it has a mellowing effect, which pretty much means that the drink can wake you up without making you anxious or jumpy. It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helping protect regular drinkers from infection. Chai latte also is rich in antioxidants, due to the black tea, which prevents free radicals from wreaking havoc to your system. Some even claim that the drink helps people lose weight. However, there are also some who are questioning this since the tea also contains sweeteners, which can cancel out the weight loss properties of black tea.
Chai tea can be served hot or cold, depending on a person’s preference. Because of its rising popularity, some manufacturers have started releasing it in powdered form or in tea bags. However, if you want to enjoy the full benefits of the beverage, it is always better to brew a cup from scratch.
