11 Reasons Why Indians Are Obsessed With Drinking Chai

Let’s be real— if there is something that we as Indians do love, it is drinking chai. For most Indians, drinking chai is an essential part of their everyday routine. For us, chai is not just a drink but also an essential part of our lives. The popular drink is had from the peaks of Kashmir to the beaches of Kanyakumari, and there are multiple variations of the popular drink. So let’s take a look at the eleven reasons why Indians cannot live without drinking chai:

1. Helps Relieve Stress

Yes, your hot cuppa chai can help bring a drastic change to your stress levels and can help reduce the tension that you may be building up in your head. Black tea aids the body by lowering the stress hormone known as cortisol, which can help reduce feelings of anxiety or stress. It can also cognitive function just like coffee but without the shaky hands and other physiological symptoms associated with stress (1).

2. The Bond Over Tea

You enter any Indian household around evening time, and you will be greeted by the incredible fragrance of chai wafting towards you. There is nothing like “Garma Garam” chai and pakoras on a cold monsoon evening. If there is one thing that Indians enjoy as much as chai, it’s hot hot pakoras. So the combination of the two food items makes for the best of both worlds.

3. It Fills You Up

Ginger chai and buttered toast are a great way to start your day in a wholesome way (rhyme intended)! Tea contains tonnes of antioxidants that keep your immune system at its best and ensures that you don’t catch colds as easily. And what’s more, tea is great for keeping your hydrated and contains at least 90% water. Indians will dip everything from biscuits, chapati, parathas, and bread into chai.

4. Guests Love It

Nothing says Indian hospitality like a warm cup of ginger chai and some spicy aloo or keema samosas to accompany it. Every Indian household’s default beverage of choice is always chai. With coffee, you never know whether people will like it or not, but with chai, you’re guaranteed that everyone will have a good time.

5. Lots Of Variety

Tea comes in many forms and in a wide variety. There are tonnes of combinations and permutations that you can experiment with when it comes to drinking chai. If you’re bored of drinking your regular masala chai, you can switch to drinking black teas like green tea and mint tea. Or you can add extra spices like elaichi and cardamom to your chai to give it that extra kick that it needs.

6. Perfect For Every Season

It doesn’t matter if the season is summer, monsoon, or winter, chai is perfect for any and every weather. It helps warm you up during winters and helps lower your temperature when you’re feeling hot. This versatile beverage is a must-have whether you stay on the hillsides of Coorg or if you’re chilling by the beaches of Chennai.

7. Helps Fatigue

Tea can help with symptoms of fatigue and can even strengthen concentration, sharpen focus, and boost your memory. The great thing about tea, however, is that you don’t have to deal with the downer that you get when you drink the caffeine in coffee. Tea contains barely 11mg of caffeine for 100 grams of it while coffee contains about 40mg for the same quantity.

8. Keeps Sleep At Bay

Tea might not get you as alert as coffee but it is a healthier alternative to consume than coffee. Too much caffeine will make your hands jittery and cause a temporary increase in your blood pressure. While this may make you alert, it isn’t the best for your body and you face withdrawal effects from lack of caffeine (yes, caffeine is a drug).

9. It’s Affordable

The streets of Mumbai can definitely attest to this. Tea is affordable and readily available in every corner of the country. Most cups of tea are priced at a measly five to ten rupees and are a daily delight for both the working class as well as the upper-middle class and other richer communities. Even a packet of the most premium tea you can find will probably cost less than a packet of the most premium coffee.

10. Taking A Chai Break Is Totally A-Okay

For people who smoke, chai is also a great excuse to take a “sutta” break and hang out with your office buddies. However, for many others, a chai break is also a reason to just stop, relax, and unwind. It’s also useful for people who get easily stressed out during their workday.

11. The Perfect Icebreaker

Chai is a great ice breaker and perfect for any situation. Whether you are meeting a potential marriage prospect for the first time or you’ve invited your work colleagues over a nice evening snack, chai is the perfect ice breaker for anybody out there. Even if you’re unsure about their preferences, you can never go wrong with a hot cup of masala chai.

Chai is the type of beverage that can go along with anything, anytime, and will be loved by all Indians alike. It is the one thing that every one of us must learn how to make for others. Do you agree with our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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