In India, tea is a very popular beverage and Indians love their cup of tea. The importance of tea
drinking in India cannot be confined to words, Indians have to have their cup of hot steaming tea
first thing in the morning in order to stimulate their senses and refresh themselves. In fact some
even argue that tea as a beverage enjoys much more preference as compared to coffee in India. Tea
is like a comfort drink for many Indians, especially on rainy days, you can always catch them savoring
a steaming cup of tea along with pakoras (a type of fried snack).
India is the world’s largest producer of tea and most of the tea production in India takes place in
West Bengal and Assam. Tea is popular all over India mainly as an evening drink as well as breakfast
drink but nothing complements a family get-together or a college reunion more than an endless supply
of tea throughout the day. In fact it is so popular that it is a cultural norm tea to offer tea to
guests and visitors instead of alcoholic drinks. Although in recent years many people have shifted to
imbibing tea liquor, the age-old tradition is to blend the tea liquor with a little bit of milk, add
sugar in accordance with one’s taste and then sip it contentedly.
Almost everywhere you go in India you are sure to find tea or ‘chai’ as it is commonly known in most
of the North Indian languages). Although there are lots of different types of tea available, the most
common variety has to be the ‘railway tea’ type hands down. This one is basically a cheap version
(Rs.2-Rs.5 per cup) which is sweet and uniquely refreshing once you develop a liking for it. This type
of tea is made by brewing the tea leaves along with milk and sugar and serving it steaming hot.
