A cup of traditional Indian masala chai is perfect for someone looking for a beverage that not only tastes good but is also suitable for health. People living in the Indian subcontinent have long known and loved the masala chai. Now, it is slowly becoming the beverage of choice for the American tea lovers also. This tea is low on caffeine content making it a suitable drink for someone looking to cut down their caffeine consumption. Indeed, you can try traditional Indian masala chai in the USA and enjoy a cup of tea with hints of exotic spices like cardamom, ginger, clove and cinnamon. It will tease your senses with every sip while boosting you with energy.
Health Benefits of Masala Chai
The delicate balance of spices in the masala chai lends it a delicious aroma while providing several health benefits. Some of these include –
- Improves Digestion –
Masala chai contains ginger and clove, which increase the production of saliva and stimulate the digestive enzymes in our body to improve digestion. Besides this, ginger in masala tea also helps in stimulating one’s appetite. Also, ginger will also help in quelling nausea, thereby making it a good home remedy during pregnancy.
- Maintains Blood Pressure Levels –
According to some studies, cinnamon and ginger can help in reducing the blood pressure level in individuals suffering from hypertension.
- Increases Immunity –
The spices present in it contains antioxidants that fight against diseases like the common cold, flu, other common infections etc. helps in boosting the immune system. They also contain antibacterial properties.
- Relives Pain and Inflammation –
Masala tea is great for someone suffering from pains and inflammation. The spices in it, mainly clove and ginger, contain inflammatory properties – these help in increasing blood circulation in the inflamed areas, which reduces the pain in that area.
Apart from these spices, black tea itself has a lot of health benefits. Besides caffeine, it contains L-theanine, which is a naturally occurring amino acid that reacts on the brain’s theta wave and improves one’s memory and concentration. It also contains antioxidants like flavonoids that reduce the build-up of bad cholesterol and which in turn reduces the chances of heart diseases.
How to Prepare Masala Chai?
There is no fixed recipe for preparing masala chai. Each recipe is different from the other and differs based on a person’s taste. Some might prefer to make it with only milk, while others will add water and milk. Also, some might prefer their masala chai to be strong while others like it mild. However, you can follow the steps below to prepare a cup of full-bodied, creamy Indian masala chai.
- Boil water in a pan
- Add masala tea leaves and sugar
- Let it brew for 2-3 minutes
- Add in the milk and strain it
This traditional Indian masala chai can be drunk anytime in the day – in the morning for a kick-start to your day, in the middle of the day for a fresh boost of energy and even in the evenings. Buy Indian masala chai in the USA and relish the heady aroma of rich spices.