Masala chai has been named the second best non-alcoholic drink in the world.
Atlas of flavor, An encyclopedia of traditional dishes, local ingredients and authentic restaurants from around the world, has revealed the world's most loved non-alcoholic drinks.
The crown at number one went to Aguas Frescas from Mexico, a drink “made with a combination of fruits, cucumbers, flowers, seeds and cereals mixed with sugar and water.”
But it was closely followed by the much-loved masala chai and we just can't seem to get enough of a hot cup of tea.
Masala chai is an Indian drink made by brewing black tea with aromatic spices, sugar and milk. The word “Chai” means “tea” in Hindi and “masala” means “spices”. The word “chai” comes from the Mandarin word “chá.”
Chai is consumed in many different parts of the world, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and many other countries. But it seems that Indian masala chai topped the rankings and made it to second place.
Masala chai is made with aromatic spices, sugar and milk.
(Getty Images)
Revealing the news in an Instagram post, the food guide wrote: “Chai masala is an aromatic drink originating from India. It is made with a combination of sweetened black tea and milk flavored with a masala blend, which typically includes cardamom, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.
“However, the choice and exact proportion of spices often varies. Although there are several theories to the contrary, the origin of chai masala is mainly associated with the British tea trade.”
The post continued: “In the 19th century, the Chinese had a monopoly on the tea trade and the British were looking for other markets that could satisfy the high demand for black tea, which was a firm favorite of Europeans.”
TasteAtlas said the British continued their “quest” which soon “took them to India, where they began establishing tea plantations.”
Masala chai is believed to have “first appeared during that period, but only became a popular choice in the 20th century, when the Indian Tea Association promoted tea breaks as a much-needed refreshment for workers and when tea became more affordable.”
In India, masala chai is often prepared and sold at chaiwallahs (tea sellers). But given the drink's immense popularity, it is now enjoyed all over the world.
