How tea in India transformed from a colonial export to an everyday drink through marketing of the Indian independence movement and technological advances
| Channel | Publish Date | Thumbnail & View Count | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Shanika Dasanayaka | 2021-09-13 04:55:58 |  624 Views |
History of Masala Chai | Who Invented Masala Chai | Origin Stories
Thanks to the Priya Paul Collection
Tea is undeniably India’s national drink. For many Indians a typical day begins with a cup of masala chai at home followed by additional cups throughout the day from the ubiquitous cafeterias and tea vendors. Usually made by boiling tea leaves with milk and sugar along with ginger root and warming spices like cardamom and cloves India’s masala chai has become one of the most famous brews in the world — so popular that in many countries the word “chai” (which simply means “tea” in Hindi) is synonymous with the Indian brewing style.
The popularity of tea in India however is a relatively recent development. Sixty or seventy years ago many Indians had never tasted tea let alone masala chai. The transformation of the drink of the British colonists of the subcontinent into a quintessentially Indian drink recognized around the world was the result of the global depression the struggle for independence technological innovation and a series of aggressive marketing campaigns.
