Drinking a hot cup of tea is common in not only just Asian households, but homes across the UK.
An authentic Indian Chai is very rich and milky, deeply coloured, sweet and full of flavour. It’s a heavenly concoction made of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, peppercorns and ginger, which is then boiled together with tea leaves and sugar in a pot of milk and water.
It’s then served fresh, steaming hot, usually in mini clay pots or small glasses. The aroma of the chai will leave your taste buds watering.
The word chai just means tea, and is commonly shouted out in the streets of India by “chai wallas” (tea servers), where you can get a cup of steaming tea from any street corner.
We’ve put together a list of all the best places in the UK, where you can get an authentic tasting cup of chai.
Chaiiwala began 90 years ago, where the recipe remains the same and is a family secret.
There are a few dotted around the country, so taste the authentic spiced tea for yourself!
Tamatanga is a quirky Indian Street Food restaurant, that can be found in Birmingham and Nottingham.
Not only do they serve great authentic food, their version of the aromatic, spiced, milky tea will go down a treat!
Dishoom is an Indian restaurant that can be found in multiple locations in London as well as Edinburgh.
The restaurant offers authentic Indian food, that will transport you back to the heart of India.
Their chai is made the way you would find in India, and will satisfy your taste-buds
If you’re looking for a quiet one with a few delicious cocktails, an afternoon chai, or just want to experience an authentic meal – Zindiya is a place to visit.
They have a range of chai’s to choose from and you are definitely spoilt for choice!
Home
Nothing beats making your own cup of chai, and enjoying it in the pleasure of your own home.
To make the perfect cup of chai, follow the recipe below.
Ingredients
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces
- 3 cups water
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1⁄8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1⁄2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons black tea (decaf is best)
Method
Then, enjoy!
By Amy Lehal