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Chai Map of India: Sip Through 26 Unique Teas & Their Fascinating Stories

3 1
07.01.2025

How many cups of chai are you averaging a day this winter? We listen and we don’t judge. But might we suggest you expand your varieties? While adrak wali chai (ginger tea) continues to be an undisputed contender, some lesser-known teas deserve the spotlight too.

In fact, if you’re cynical about New Year resolutions, here’s a fun one you (and I — an admitted chai addict), can try: to sample chai from every corner of India this year. As for the varieties to add to your list, we’ve done the homework so you don’t need to.

1. Sulaimani Chai — The pride of Calicut

In India’s Malabar region, nothing spells mehman nawazi (hospitality) better than a cup of sweet-sour and slightly spicy Sulaimani tea. Intrinsically woven into the cultural fabric of the region, the tea makes for a perfect finale after a heavy meal of biryani (rice cooked with meats); its citrusy notes provide the right contrast against the black tea base.

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Its origins lie in Arab culture. Prophet Mohammed is said to have indulged in a beverage made with dates and black pepper. The current recipe — flavoured with local spices and tea — explores the intersection of trade and culture when Arabs began trading in Kerala. In fact, Club Sulaimani was Kerala’s first tea chain and an ode to the legacy of the Sulaimani tea.

2. Parsi Choi — An essence of history

The second on our list is the Parsi beverage, the choi, which needs........

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