Chai Ke Saath Shai! 5 Things Indians Love To Dunk In Tea

Weird it may sound, but for many chai lovers, the tea ritual remains incomplete without samosa as 'shai'. This combination is such a hit that now, as per the United Kingdom Tea & Infusions Association (UKTIA)'s recent survey, youths between 18-29 in England love having samosa with chai. Nothing can beat dipping the crisp shell of samosa into the steaming hot chai. 

Puris are commonly found in festive or special meal spreads. These fried, fluffy Indian bread are typically served with savoury foods like curries or bhaji. But many Indians prefer to enjoy their puris by dipping them in tea. Strangely, puris that have been prepared the night before are favoured over freshly fried ones.

Freshly prepared plain parathas and tea are common breakfast staples in Indian families. Curry disappears from the scene. Instead, they share chai while dipping parathas and forming bonds. These flatbreads are typically rolled vertically for a better grip. However, some people prepare extra parathas at night, and the following day they serve them in place of biscuits as tea accompaniments.

Although bread toast is not an Indian invention, the country and its people have made it go well with tea. Often, the most satisfying addition to dunk in the tea is a slice of bread that has been crisply toasted and coated with butter. A similar version is paring chai with bun maska. Dunking a bun smeared with maska, AKA, butter in a glass of chai, is a breakfast staple for many.

Not literally rotten, basi or stale refers to foods that haven't been freshly made. Many Indians, especially women, enjoy starting the day with a leftover roti dipped in tea while preparing their minds for the day's chores. In actuality, these roti taste superior to freshly made ones. Seeing this combination on the menus of a few eateries in London is impressive.