While the word "chai" evokes the concept of rich black tea with milk and warming spices for many in the Western world, across multiple languages in the region of its origin, it's simply the word for tea itself. Particularly popular in India for many generations, chai is often served with hot milk and sugar as a comforting traditional drink.
WHAT IS CHAI?
Bringing the concept full circle and honoring its roots, Tea Forté's Bombay Chai is a bold, flavorful blend of fine black tea with rich spices complementing black tea leaves carefully harvested in the high mountains of the Nilgiri region in South India. This tea is known as a particularly forgiving varietal, as it's nearly impossible to oversteep.
The Bombay Chai experience begins with the scent of its aromatic spices, reminiscent of those found in traditional Indian masala chai: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, star anise, and just a touch of black pepper. "Masala," of course, is a collective word for "spice" in South Asian cuisine, and the spices selected for this blend are meant to warm the soul, imparting a full-body sense of comfort: something akin to a hug.
Bombay Chai tea is available in Loose Tea Canisters, One Pound Pouches and Event Boxes.
TRADITIONAL INDIAN TEA
To fully embrace the fullness of this blend's traditional mèlange of flavors, adding milk and honey is strongly encouraged, and to enjoy an even richer experience, the milk can be heated beforehand. For an ideal breakfast accompaniment, steep the tea with one part milk for every two parts water, and add a touch of honey just before drinking. In many Indian families, masala chai is enjoyed from morning until night, a constant companion to provide a steady and reassuring sense of energy throughout the day.
Or, for something untraditional, try our warm & spicy tea cocktail incorporating Bombay Chai:
RECIPE: BOMBAY CHAI TODDY
Cinnamon, cloves and cardomom combine in this warming cocktail that's perfect for the winter holidays.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of Tea Forté Bombay Chai loose tea, or 1 pyramid tea infuser
- 6 oz water heated to 208 degrees
- 1.5 oz Irish Whiskey
- 1 teaspoon honey, more to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 freshly sliced lemon round
- 2 cinnamon sticks for garnish, optional
Directions:
- Place the loose tea into an infuser basket and place in a mug, or unwrap a pyramid tea infuser and place in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the infuser and steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the whiskey, honey and lemon juice and stir until the honey has dissolved. If more sweetness is needed, add another teaspoon of honey.
- For more zing, add another teaspoon of lemon juice. Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!
WARMTH FOR ALL
From its familiar deep brown hue to its soul-warming spices, Tea Forté's Bombay Chai tea blend is a welcome addition to your pantry and makes a thoughtful gift as well. Its bold, flavorful profile offers a confident start to the day, and a cozy sensory treat for any moment you like in between.
Click here to enjoy Bombay Chai for yourself and go on to discover Tea Forté's array of chai tea blends.