You know how they say that music soothes the soul? Several studies suggest that listening to certain type of music can actually help in calming your nerves and releasing all your stress. The same holds true for certain drinks. Right from their appearance to their taste and after-effects, they make you feel light and free. What would be your reaction if we told you that the two had gotten together? The chai-loving nation that India is often said to be, makes it hard to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy a cup of tea at least once a day. That’s how we feel after looking at this Bollywood singer’s recent post.
Rahul Vaidya rose to fame with his stint in the singing reality show, Indian Idol and was last seen in the Bigg Boss house. After managing to grab the first runners-up position of Season 14, the singer has toured around the world for concerts. Currently in Dubai for a show, Rahul Vaidya took to his Instagram handle to share his love for chai aka tea. Calling himself a #tealover, the Indian playback singer expressed how much a cup of tea means to him after a “crazy show” the night before. Here’s how he looked while posing with his cup of chai.
Source: Rahul Vaidya/Instagram
Chai, for those untouched by the phenomenon, is a concoction made from tea leaves and water. However, the famous Indian masala chai comes packed with milk, spices like cinnamon and ginger as well as sugar. The beverage was invented some 5000 years ago when an Indian king was looking for an Ayurvedic drink for medicinal purposes. Although the roots of chai are believed to be in India, it is the name that comes from the Chinese word, cha.
It might be one of the oldest drinks in India but what makes it so relevant even today is the flavourful touch of spices added to it. Different parts of the country boast of a variety of teas, ranging from hot cups like kahwa and noon chai in Kashmir to iced versions of regular tea. Amidst this lies a category of drinks that keeps you warm, light and refreshed. We are talking about herbal teas.
If you are tea lover and looking for ways to cut down on the milky variety, here are some herbal tea recipes that you can try at home.
1. Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea
This is a popular herbal tea in Morocco. With a beautiful infusion of green tea leaves and mint leaves, the flavours are released in to the water and drunk with a slight addition of sugar. Since no milk is involved, it is relaxing and refreshing.
2. Tulsi Ginger Tea
Also known as holy basil, tulsi is sacred plant in Hinduism. In India, people worship tulsi and consider it to be auspicious. The same tulsi leaves come with several health benefits so they are added to a water concoction mixed with some ginger.