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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Heritage of Tea in India

     India, as the world’s largest consumer of tea uses nearly 30 per cent of the global output. India is also the second largest producer of tea. Despite the production, India is also the largest exporter of tea after China.The consumption of tea in India was first clearly documented in the Ramayana (750-500 BC) says that tea was perhaps better known as “Soma” in Indian mythology.
      The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history. Commercial production of tea in India begins with the arrival of the British East India Company, at which point large tracts of land were converted for mass tea production. The widespread popularity of tea as a recreational drink begins in the 1950s, after a successful advertising campaign by the India Tea Board.Assam tea comes from the North Eastern section of the country.It was in Assam that the first tea estate was established, in 1837.

Tea in India
 By and large, tea drinkers in India drink milk tea. There are many other popular variations depending on regional and cultural affiliations.
Tea stalls in India
The now well known Masala Chai, Kadak Chai (typically a feature of the mountain community of North India, this is a very strongly brewed tea, almost to the point of bitterness), Malai Mar Ke Chai (where a generous dollop of full fat added to tea).
  The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history.Outside the home, tea is most commonly and easily found at the ubiquitous tea stalls that present in every street in India. The tea stall has become a part of the urban landscape and a cultural institution.
Kettles used to serve tea
Unlike the British cup of tea, tea in India is not served in a set where the leaves are steeped separately.
  Typically, tea in India is consumed with both milk and sugar but the tea leaves are not prepared separately by being steeped. Instead, the tea leaves are boiled along with additions and then boiled again after the addition of milk and sugar. Sometimes the tea leaves themselves are used as flavouring. In many parts of the country, the most special tea is one where the tea leaves are boiled solely in milk.
 India is also the world's largest tea-drinking nation. However, the per capita consumption of tea in India remains a modest 750 grams per person every year due to the large population base and high
Eco-friendly cups used
chhass(A milk product) consumption.Indian tea is very healthy, especially during the winter as it contains natural immunizers such as ginger, cardamom, etc. Indian tea is very very different from the various kinds of tea that are taken in rest parts of the world.
 
Medicinal use of Tea
The cultivation and brewing of tea in India has a long history of applications in traditional systems of medicine and for consumption.
Right leaf to be plucked.
The practice of Ayurveda has resulted in a long standing tradition of tisanes, (an infusion - as of dried herbs – used as a beverage or for medicinal effects). Traditional Indian kitchens have long utilised the medicinal benefits offered by various plants and spices such as basil (Tulsi), cardamom (Elaichi), pepper (Kali Mirch), liquorice (Mulethi), mint (Pudina), etc., and traditionally, tisanes made with these plant leaves and/or spices have been in use for centuries for maladies ranging from the serious to the trifling. Tea also serves as a mediumq for these traditional tisanes. The taste of chai (sweet and milky) helps disguise the stronger and more bitter flavours of some of the medicinal additives, while other, more pleasant flavours such as cardamom and ginger add a pleasing flavour and aroma to the tea along with health benefits.
1.Tulsi,ginger- used to control cold,cough,fever.
2.pepper,cardamom- improves digestion.
3.ginger-purifies the blood.
4.clove- used as a refreshner.


A tea plantation in Darjeeling

Different Kinds of Tea
Indians love a good cup of tea (chai) whenever possible.Though India is major producer of Tea however, over 70% of it is consumed by Indians themselves. The production of tea really took off during the days of British rule in India, when large tracts of land were converted for mass tea production. If you're a tea lover, don't miss visiting these places where you'll find the best India tea plantations and tea.
1.Darjeeling
The Darjeeling region is cool and wet, and tucked in the foothills of the Himalayans. The tea is exquisite and delicately flavored, and considered to be one of the finest teas in the world. The Darjeeling plantations have 3 distinct harvests, and the tea produced from each 'flush' has a unique flavor. First flush teas are light and aromatic, while the second flush produces tea with a bit more bite. The third, or autumn flush gives a tea that is lesser in quality.
2.Assam
Mostly grown in the Brahmaputra Valley, malty Assamese tea is brightly colored. Jorhat, in the central part of the valley, is often referred to as the "Tea Capital of the World"..Assam tea comes from the North Eastern section of the country. This heavily forested region is home to much wildlife, including the rhinoceros. Tea from here is rich and full-bodied. It was in Assam that the first tea estate was established, in 1837.
3.Nilgiri
This tea comes from an even higher part of India than Darjeeling. This southern Indian region has elevations between 1,000 and 2,5000 metres. The flavors of Nilgiri teas are subtle and rather gentle. They are frequently blended with other, more robust teas.
The mountainous Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, in south India, is known for its distinctive dark and intensely aromatic tea. Tea has been grown there for more than 100 years, and is the most important industry in the regiont tea producing region in the country.
4.Munnar
 Munnar, a popular hill station in south India, you'll be greeted by miles upon miles of lush tea plantations. Once owned by Tata, the largest tea manufacturing company in India, they've now been sold to employees.The tea made here is rich in flavours.
5.Wayanad
Wayanad, a lush mountainous agricultural area of Kerala, also produces a significant amount of tea (in addition to coffee and spices). Most of the tea plantations are located south of Kalpetta.
If you were to visit India, there would be no end to the sights you could see.Make sure you'd take a tour of a tea plantation or two.

"How to make good tea or chai"
Besides the different kinds of tea that come from India, there is also a very unique style of making tea. It's called chai. There are lots of various recipes to make chai, but the basic ingredients are: black tea, milk, sugar, and spices. It's the combination of spices that make chai so wonderful. The most common are cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and even pepper. Even major coffee and tea chains are starting to serve chai in North America. If you're tired of plain tea, give chai a try.
  •    To make a strong tea use milk and water in the same quantity.
  •     Use high fat milk
  •     The best time to drink tea is during evening hours and at the morning time
  •     For children one should use only milk and should decrease the tea content.
  •     To add more flavor one can use any spices of your choice.

  • Ingredients:
  • water -200ml
  • Milk - 200ml (High fat milk)
  • tea powder-3 teaspoons
  • ginger- 2 teaspoons ( sliced and crushed) 
  • cardamom -2
  • sugar -4 teaspoons (double the amount of ginger)
 
Instructions 
    1. Take equal amounts of water and milk in separate vessels
    2.Boil the milk till it becomes thick.
    3.Boil the water, simmer the stove, add teapowder.When the water becomes deep brown in colour add sugar followed by ginger and cardamom.
   4 .Now add milk and boil it again in medium flame.
    5.Filter and serve in tea cups.




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