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Every time I visit India restaurant I get India tea, that is how we call it here. It is (I think) black tea, milk and some spice, but no idea how it is actually made and how long can be the spices preserved for use.
Anyone having experience with making it? Can you share your experience?
Yeah, that sounds like masala chai, the classic Indian tea. Restaurants usually make a simple version of it.
The basic way to make it is pretty easy:
• strong black tea (Assam works best)
• water + milk cooked together
(not added later, they actually boil it, that’s why it tastes so smooth)
Spices they normally use:
cardamom (this one is kinda essential),
cinnamon,cloves,ginger,sometimes black pepper if you want it stronger. You don’t need all of them every time, it’s very flexible.
How it’s made:
You crush the spices a bit, simmer them in water first, then add the tea, then milk and sugar.
Let it boil slowly for a few minutes and strain. That’s the whole trick.
About spice storage:
Whole spices last for months (sometimes a year) if you keep them dry.
Ground spices lose flavour way faster, so better use whole ones.
Most “India tea” in restaurants is just a lighter version of this.
Every time I visit India restaurant I get India tea, that is how we call it here. It is (I think) black tea, milk and some spice, but no idea how it is actually made and how long can be the spices preserved for use.
Anyone having experience with making it? Can you share your experience?
I used to go to the funniest most entertaining crazy Indian restaurant ever ! I would take friends there just to watch their incredulity . It was called 'Swami's Uninflated Indian Restaurant ' .
One time he offered me 'special Indian tea' - it was a small teapot, hot water one tea bag and two cardamon pods .
Now I do this , put tea in a pot, some ginger, a bit of cinnamon bark , some cardamon ( I dont like cloves so I dont use them but to get that 'kick' I might add ) allspice , .... what is allspice ??? * .... .
Even a 'normal' cup of tea for me ; I always add ginger . Now if I go somewhere and get 'normal' tea .... it just isnt 'right' , and forget t-bags ! Blerrrk !
tree, a tropical evergreen in the myrtle family native to Jamaica and Central America. Despite its name, it is a single spice—not a blend—that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, offering a warm, aromatic, and slightly pungent flavor.
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Morell, I would love to tell you more about 'Swami's ' ... if it isnt too off topic ?
An Indian lass I knew from University said chai was 'milk, tea & cardamon - everything else is optional'.
My recipe (for 1 large mug):
Whole milk - about a pint
Crushed cardamon pods - 4-6 depending on size.
Lapsang souchong tea - 1 desert spoon.
Nutmeg, fresh grated - about 1/4 of a whole nutmeg.
Sweet cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
Ghee - 1 rounded teaspoon.
Put everything except the Ghee in a pan over a low heat.
Bring to the boil & reduce to a very low simmer.
Stir frequently and reduce to 2/3 of original volume.
(This will take time, but sweetens the result by partially caramelizing the lactose)
Stir in the ghee & remove from the heat.
Strain through cloth or kitchen-roll.
I have now successfully made "Ghee" from unsalted butter, not so terribly difficult actually, but I wouldn't say it was "commercial" quality.
I was the only one who didn't even know what it Was. There's always "something" else you can learn!
An Indian lass I knew from University said chai was 'milk, tea & cardamon - everything else is optional'.
My recipe (for 1 large mug):
Whole milk - about a pint
Crushed cardamon pods - 4-6 depending on size.
Lapsang souchong tea - 1 desert spoon.
Nutmeg, fresh grated - about 1/4 of a whole nutmeg.
Sweet cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
Ghee - 1 rounded teaspoon.
Put everything except the Ghee in a pan over a low heat.
Bring to the boil & reduce to a very low simmer.
Stir frequently and reduce to 2/3 of original volume.
(This will take time, but sweetens the result by partially caramelizing the lactose)
Stir in the ghee & remove from the heat.
Strain through cloth or kitchen-roll.
Lapsang souchong tea eh ? Do you know the story of that and its slightly smoky flavor . Its from the traders taking it by camel caravan across the wilderness where there was no caravanseri to stay at . Put your camels in a circle , unload your cargo and put that in an inner circle and set up camp and fire in the middle . It gives wind and wildlife ( eg snakes ) protection . The campfire smoke would get into the tea bails . Also a bit of 'flavor' from the camels .
You can make your own ; just 'smoke ' as in 'fumigate' the tea and add a few drops of camel sweat
Ohhhhh ... the jokes I could make about that one !
When I worked as a caterer for the Aussie film industry the company was run by my friend and boss , a big Persian guy and the company logo was a big cartoon camel face and hos work nik-name was ' Camel F***er ' . ( well, its the AUSSIE film industry we do things 'differently here ' ... much to the shock of our American work mates that are often thrown together with us on some bigger films )
No , the poor fellow was not racially oppressed .... he had a good sense of humor and could give it back with sauce on .
; Him complaining jokingly to 'those in the know' while some poor confused 'not in the know ' American is shocked and trying to make sense of the whole thing
(to be read in a broad Persian accent
'' You see all this food ! I made all this beautiful food for you ... do you call me 'Abdul the Chef ? NO, you do not !
You see this big tent I have set up for you to eat in, the tables and chairs for your comfort .... do you call me 'Abdul the Considerate ? ' NO , you do not .
When it is hot, I provide cool drink for you and all your friends . Do you call me 'Abdul the Reliever ' ? NO, you do not .
@Firetree
I've known a number of Aussies over the years. Once passing through Honolulu we came across one in a saloon and struck up a conversation,
I offered to buy said gentleman a drink. The reply was: "Put your money away Yank, the drinks on me!" What's Not to Like? It went back and forth for several more because I insist on carrying my weight, lots of good fun I will tell you!
@Firetree
I've known a number of Aussies over the years. Once passing through Honolulu we came across one in a saloon and struck up a conversation,
I offered to buy said gentleman a drink. The reply was: "Put your money away Yank, the drinks on me!" What's Not to Like? It went back and forth for several more because I insist on carrying my weight, lots of good fun I will tell you!
Of course , but I doubt you are some overblown ego filled self important American film industry guy .
mate met a South African guy on a plane ride , the black guy started up conversation, noticed the accent and
''Are you Australian ? ''
'' Yes. ''
'' Oooooooooo .... ''
''What ?''
''Well ... it is good , I like Aussie ..... but ...
'' But what ? ''
'' I had an Australian boss in south Africa in the mines , not the big boss , just boss of my section . he would order me around ; do this do that . Then he calls me up one night to come into work and help him .. at night ? He has a truck and loads all this equipment onto it , Where is it going ? WE are going to sell it , he says . ' WE ??? ' . He makes me do all this stuff , stealing, black market , lots of money involved . I ask him why he make me do all this and I will get into trouble , dont you care ? I thought you were good man ?''
''Then he tells me he has been listening to me complain all the time about work , racial prejudice, unfair boss , no money, work hard , immoral environment destroying company and that I told him I have no family or ties here and that I want to go somewhere better . Then, to my horror I get called into the office , they suspect me being involved in stolen equipment . I think , oh, this is his plan, for me to take the blame , but then he turned up, defended me , 'how dare you ' he is my best worker - you are incompetent , you cant even keep track of your assets or book work . Next day, he turns up at my house ... what now, he has got me into so much trouble ? He says to pack we are leaving , getting out of here . He took me with him and said I was incompetent to solve my own problems , we drove out of that place , he even organised fake ID and passport for me ; gave me half the money ... now I have nice new home in Indonesia ! ''
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... so how much beer did you drink ?
I have two nephews . bith archaeologists out of Sydney Uni . There were on a dig somewhere and the locals said they would shout them out to this night out and 'free open bar ' . Nephs said 'Really , are you sure about that .'
Well, why not these were respected professionals from Sydney University .... an announcement was made that regrettably the bar was going to have close after only 40 mins of freebees
How can I resist not adding this great classic to finish off ;
.. and you thought this was a simple relaxing thread about a simple nice cup of tea , eh ? ;
''Specifically, for a random variable X
equal to the number of successes, we may write X∼Hypergeometric(N=8,K=4,n=4)
, where N
is the population size or total number of cups of tea, K
is the number of success states in the population or four cups of either type, and n
is the number of draws, or four cups. The distribution of combinations for making k selections out of the 2k available selections corresponds to the kth row of Pascal's triangle, such that each integer in the row is squared. In this case, k=4
because 4 teacups are selected from the 8 available teacups.
we do things 'differently here ' ... much to the shock of our American work mates that are often thrown together with us on some bigger films )
