Author Rita Jamshed Kapadia With photos from my travel to Munnar in Kerala! Indians love tea, they are crazy about it – and they even have a special word for it – chai. India is one of the largest tea growers in the world. Tea is grown in the north andthe south – in exotic places […]
The place of Tea in Indian Culture
Indians love tea, they are crazy about it – and they even have a special word for it – chai.
India is one of the largest tea growers in the world. Tea is grown in the north and the south – in exotic places like Munnar in Kerala, Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri Mountains. The tea gardens are a sight to see. Beautiful terraces are carved into the earth and from far they look like manicured gardens. Tea from Darjeeling and Assam is world famous for its aroma and taste.
Tea was introduced in India by the British during early 1900’s, those were early days of the British Raj. Large swaths of land were converted for mass tea-production. Ironically, the British introduced tea in India to break the Chinese monopoly. Tea was originally consumed by the westernized Indians, but it became widely popular over time. Today, looking at the popularity of tea one cannot tell of its origins from China.
But the story of story of tea in India goes beyond the tea gardens in exotic mountains and valleys, covered with mist and lush greenery. Tea is woven intricately into the Indian social fabric.
Chai is the common equalizer in India – from the rich to the poor. No matter what their position in life, an Indian relishes a cup of tea. The rich ones have their tea served in fancy tea-pots, delicate porcelain cups on well laid out tables with cookies and pastries. The not-so-affluent have it in more humble settings. But the joy and satisfaction is the same.
No matter where you go in India, even the remote village, you are likely to find a tea-stall, with a Chai-walla brewing the concoction, squeezing every last flavor. There is always a crowd of eager and tired folks waiting patiently for their chai. Tea re-vitalizes your body. It is a great anti-oxidant.
India has one of the largest railway networks in the world. Every train station has tea-stalls. Hawkers carry tea-buckets doling out hot cups to weary travelers as the trains pull into the train stations. One of my enduring memories growing up in India is traveling on the train in the sleeper-coach and waking up to the lilting calls of the tea-hawkers.
There are many stories of how tea brings people together. When you visit friends – tea and snacks are probably the most common offering. A cup of tea bonds friendships and heals differences. A guest rejecting an offer of a cup of tea may even hurt their feelings. The ultimate bonding is sharing a cup of tea – between two people – albeit in different saucers. When you visit a commercial establishment, as a sign of respect for the customer, tea is offered. Read more in my cookbook for Tea.
Recently, I was invited to speak and present “The Place of Tea in Indian Culture and the Kerala Tea Gardens” at the Boston Athenaeum. Here is a short synopsis. I am delighted that my Cookbooks were displayed and showcased in the museum! Thanks Hannah Weisman! Hannah is the Director of Education at Boston Athenaeum.
The museum is a historical place and encourages historical books. The Boston Athenaeum is steeped in history. Founded in 1807, the Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries and cultural institutions in the United States.
Tea / Chai Recipes:
Ginger Tea
Masala Chai
Parsi Chai
Cardamom Tea
Teas of India Cookbook
More on The place of Tea in Indian Culture on ParsiCuisine.com
Chai is the common equalizer in India – from the rich to the poor. No matter what their position in life, an Indian relishes a cup of tea. The rich ones have their tea served in fancy tea-pots, delicate porcelain cups on well laid out tables with cookies and pastries. The not-so-affluent have it in […]
“Ganapati Bappa Moraya Mangal Murti Moraya!” Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 will be celebrated on 19 September 2023 and Anant Chaturdashi will fall on 28 September 2023 Decorations and exquisite pandals take the front seat to welcome India’s most loved God. The one thing that cannot be missed at Ganapati are the scrumptious modaks! A journey from traditional to modern modaks […]
By Scott Maier on January 26, 2016 NEW YORK– You have another reason to drink that cup of coffee. Researchers including an Indian-origin medical student now report that regular caffeine consumption does not lead to extra heartbeats, which may lead – in rare cases – to heart- or stroke-elated morbidity and mortality. The study, led […]
VASANU is very healthy to eat in the winter. Best time is to take a one inch square at breakfast time. This nutritious, vasanu recipe is from my grandmother. Rita Jamshed Kapadia INGREDIENTS General: 1 1/2kg Ghee 1/2kg Char jaatnu magaz 50g Goonder 2 1/4kg Sugar 500g Ghau nu Dudh (Wheat milk powder) 500g Kammar Kakri 400g […]
by Rita Jamshed Kapadia Known as Bottle Gourd in USA. Doodhi is a vegetable also known as Lauki, Lavki in India. Buy one that has soft skin and if you dig your nail into it, it should leave a mark and feel soft. Doodhi is very good for diabetes. Drinking it as a juice has been […]
Serves 4 Prep time 15 minutes Cooking time 0 Ingredients Method
Perfect weather for Taari! by Mark Manuel That’s a Palmyra tree with a Toddy pot. In the kind of hot, humid weather Mumbai is enduring, temperatures hovering around 36°C, I would gladly walk a mile for a glass of Toddy. Or Taari, as my Zoroastrian friends call it. It is one of their favourite summer […]
Which wine is good for diabetes? View all The best wines for diabetics are dry red or white wines, which contain little to no added sugars and minimal carbohydrates, reducing the risk of blood sugar spikes. Ideal choices have less than 2 grams of sugar per serving, such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon […]
There’s nothing nicer than sipping on a warm cup of herbal tea on a cold midwinter’s day. But besides being tasty and warming, tea provides a host of different health benefits – that is, unless your tea is soaked in pesticides. CBC News recently conducted an investigation on the pesticide levels in some of the […]
It is spicy, it is creamy and it is loaded with nutrients. It is made with the divine & nutritious mixture of almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, watermelon seeds, poppy seeds, green cardamoms, cinnamon and cumin. Ingredients Method Make sure to completely cool down the masala milk before serving. This recipe is for one serving, increase the […]
Recipe 2 handfuls of rice1 level teaspoon of salt 1 liter of water Boil all of the above together, cool and strain. Drink the water ! For centuries, boiled rice solutions were used to treat infant diarheaThe first such advice was written in Sanskrit 3000 years ago. Onlvrecently has the idea achieved worldwide scientific approval. […]
Serves 6 Ingredients Spice ingredients for one pot of tea: 1/2 of a star anise star 10-12 whole cloves 7 whole allspice or 1/4 tsp ground allspice powder *See photo below 1 heaping teaspoon of cinnamon bark (or 2 short sticks) 7 whole white peppercorns 1 cardamon pod opened to the seeds Other ingredients: 1 […]
Yalda on December 21 is celebrated in many parts of the world. Eating watermelon in the winter is believed to keep you healthy in the new year. Watermelon seeds are one of the items in the health food – parsi vasanu and the gujarati word is “char jat nu magaj”. Pumpkin and Watermelon seeds keep […]
Yes, saffron is considered both a spice and a herb, often called a “herbal spice,” because it comes from the flower’s stigmas (spice part) but is used extensively in traditional medicine like other herbs, offering color, flavor, and health benefits. While technically a spice from the Crocus sativus flower, its powerful medicinal uses, aroma, and use in herbal […]
Parsi Dairy Farm makes delicious Pastry, Pure Dairy products . Cakes, Yogurt, Parsi Dar ni Pori, Bhakhra and best sweets Mithai in Mumbai.
dussehra. Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a gazetted holiday in India, which is marked on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu calendar.
Parsi Sandhra – An ancient delicacy. Sandhra are fluffy white pancake like delicacy. They are made from rice flour that is kept to rise. You got to make them to know the taste of bygone days!
Navroze / Nowruz / Nooruz Commemorated in a grand and elaborate fashion, preparations for Navroze begin well in advance. Houses are cleaned to remove all the cobwebs and painted new. They are then adorned with different auspicious symbols, namely, stars, butterflies, birds and fish. New attires are ordered and made especially for the festival. On […]
One of the rarest dishes still calling for taari or toddy it is the Gujarati Parsi taari-no-batervo, a slow-cooked mutton stew made with reduced toddy. By Kurush Dalal
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Ardeshir’s flavoured soda, now christened Ardy’s, still packs nostalgia along with quality ‘old fashioned goodness’ in its glass bottles. Written by Ruchika Goswamy | Indian Express and Courtesy of ParsiKhabar.net The soda company has been a household name in the camp for four generations – from patrons reminiscing of simpler times over an orange soda to the infamous […]
I would like to take you on a journey into the culture, and nuances of the Parsi Cuisine of India. I would like to present to you the famous Story of Parsi immigration (into India) and their welcome with “Sugar in the Milk”. One of the oldest stories of Sugar and Milk in Parsis (Parsi / […]
Pistachio Saffron Milk
This holiday season, elevate your celebrations with the luxurious Pistachio Saffron Milk. A delightful blend of creamy milk, sweet cardamom, real saffron, and nutty pistachios, this festive beverage is as beautiful as it is delicious. Simple to prepare and packed with holiday flavors, it’s a beverage that brings elegance and warmth to your table.
Toad in a hole trsnlated from the Vividh Vani Cookbook
Penda Sweets are those delicacies that make a definite appearance in every Indian festival and function, be it Diwali, a housewarming party or a wedding function. And doodh penda is one of the most common sweets at these occasions. Yet, most people prefer to order them from sweet shops rather than preparing them at home. […]
The sudden death of former Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry has left everyone in shock. He was killed in a road accident after his Mercedes car hit a divider in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Sunday, September 4. Dairy brand Amul has now dedicated its iconic topical to Mr Mistry. On Monday, Amul shared a monochrome […]
Falsa is commonly known as phalsa or falsa, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae. It was first found in Varanasi, India, and was taken by Buddhist scholars to other Asian countries including Pakistan and the rest of the world. Wikipedia Falsa are full of iron. Falsa drink is easy to make. […]
A cup of tea shared with another person is known to create a new karma each time. So next time you have a cup of tea with someone, have good thoughts, and share good words. Health value: Antioxidant Removes Headaches, Muscle aches, soothes and relaxes. Ingredients: 2 cups water 4 tea bags, black tea 2 […]
England isn’t the only place where you can find a great cup of tea that’s both flavorful and comforting and that pairs perfectly well with scones or biscottis—it is a favored hot beverage in many different places and cultures around the world and a common drink any time of the day. In Iran, tea is […]
Barley is good for constipation, cancer, kidney stones and cholesterol. Many Parsi Cuisine foods have barley flour and barley seeds.
Recipe for Barley Water
The Ancient Practice Of Ayurveda Can Combat Modern Day Extreme Heat The 5000-year-old ‘science of life’ is believed to have been conceptualized by the Hindu God Brahma in India. by Sunita SohrabjiAugust 12, 2023 Beating the heat in Assam, India. (image credit: Rohan Reddy, Unsplash) Beating the heat in India Extreme heat is not new for […]
Monica Sunny boxes up and preserves the goodness of spices, traditions, and rituals of chai-making. Chai Box Chai Recipe Serving: 2 Cups of Chai Ingredients 1 cup of water 1 cup of milk or nut milk 3-4 tsp of True Blend (loose leaf tea blend) 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed open 2 cloves, lightly crushed […]
Where there is chocolate, there is magic! ⠀ It’s International Chocolate day! Wrapped in deliciousness, holds childhood memories, stress buster, mood lifter and what not. Let ’s indulge in some chocolate lusciousness together. Chocolate or Coffee Almond Lassi Recipe Total Time: 2 mins melting chocolate + 3 minutes of grinding Serves: 3 people Ingredients 200 […]
Sweet cakes and breads studded with candied fruits and nuts are hallmarks of Christmas baking in many areas of the world. Examples include fruitcake which is traditional throughout the English speaking nations, panettone in Italy, keks in Poland, julekake in Norway, bolo-rei in Portugal and birnenbrot in Switzerland. But perhaps none are revered as highly […]
Nothing makes a better end to a Christmas dinner than a rich, dense Christmas pudding. Home chef Rhea Mitra Dalal is keeping the steam and spirit alive. The days are getting cooler and it will be winter soon. We found a nice article on the forgotten Christmas pudding. On Belvedere Road in Mazagaon, we look […]
Poem by Prof Lee Tzu Pheng (Singapore Cultural Medallion winner). She was formerly in the English Literature Dept in NUS. This is a powerful poem on human friendship, and loving one another. “Together we can laugh” Sip your Tea Nice and Slow No one Ever knows when it’s Time to Go, There’ll be no Time […]
♥ Gripe water recipe Recipe makes 3 cups, and this gripe water is excellent for giving to babies for colic. Boil together 3 cups of water + 1/4 tsp fresh ginger + pinch of cardamom + 1/4 tsp fennel seeds. Boil in clean pot for 30 minutes. Strain using a fine mesh strainer.
if you have Diabeties, this is a good home remedy.
This here is the original Parsi DUDHPAK , NO MILK POWDER. We parsis make our authentic ‘Doodhpak’ with milk, egg and sugar whereas the hindu gujaratis make it with milk, soaked crushed rice and sugar. Parsi DUDHPAK Take 1 litre full cream milk, bring to boil with sugar as per sweetness required then cool it […]
Navroz is celebrated to mark the beginning of the new Persian calendar. In the Persian language ‘Nav’ means new, and ‘Roz’ that stands for – New Day. New Delhi: The Parsi New Year is called ‘Navroz’ or ‘Nowruz’, which means a ‘New Day’. Navroz marks the beginning of a fresh year for the Parsis.
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Piña Colada Ingredients — frozen pineapple, coconut milk and rum
PIÑA COLADA INGREDIENTS:
So what’s in this easy piña colada recipe? No cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez or Coco Real), no storebought piña colada mix, no sugar-added pineapple juice…no need. To make these naturally-sweetened piña coladas (which also happen to be naturally gluten-free and vegan), you will simply need:
Frozen pineapple: A bag of it store-bought, or you can cut and freeze your own.
Rum: White rum is traditional, but any kind will do.
Coconut milk: As in normal, straight-from-the-can (or carton) coconut milk. You can either use the full-fat or light coconut milk, your choice.
This is an energy drink best taken at breakfast time. Increases your energy levels for the day and keep you vitality strong. Good for nursing mothers and pregnant mothers. Keep this Raabri/Kaanji masala prepared for winter and enjoy your cuppa once in a while or regularly! Research suggests that our brain and body thrive on […]
How to make GHAU NU DOODH (MILK OF WHEAT) Recipe for making GHAU NU DOODH Ingredients 1 cup Whole Wheat Grains Water to soak Strong Grinder Strainer with small holes like for making paneer or I use a white cotton cloth Method Soak the wheat for about 4-5 days, and then grind it with enough […]
There are several Vividh Vani recipes translated, tried and true by Rita on this website in English.For example – https://www.parsicuisine.com/fried-goat-or-lamb-chops-from-the-cookbook-vividh-vani/Do search using the search tool (looks like a magnifying glass) or in the side bar CATEGORY “English Translations” Parsiana August 7, 2016 – A selection of recipes from a bygone era when food was cooked […]
I am Dinyar Patel, a professor of history at the University of South Carolina, currently based in Mumbai on a Fulbright fellowship where I have been researching some aspects of Parsi history. I would like to ask my readers for assistance with one topic of interest: the Parsi connection with the Indian soda or “aerated […]
If you have lactose problems, this milk will help. Easy to make at home. Almond Milk is very easy to make and it is so much better than the supermarket versions. Much tastier and NO SUGAR. Almond Milk Recipe Ingredients 1/2 Cup Almond Flour * 2 cups water Method To make Almond Milk follow these […]
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Tukmaria Seeds (ocimum basilicum) are also known as tukham malanga. They are holy seeds in many Asian countries, due to their exceptional qualities. Precautions Tukmaria seeds should not be given directly to children, since they can choke on it. A word of caution. In case of pregnant women, these seeds are known to lower down […]
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There are many Irani Bakeries in Mumbai, India. You must have heard of the Kayani Bakery, but have you heard of the Yazdani Bakery? Yazdani Bakery is an Irani cafe or Persian style bakery in Mumbai, India. The bakery was opened in 1953 by Meherwan Zend, an Irani baker. All products in the bakery are handmade, and baked in diesel ovens. The bakery draws […]
Household tips before and after pregnancy by Thrity Tantra A few tips – Pre and post Delivery of the baby……These tips are traditional from personal experience only. In case of any medical conditions, please consult your doctor without fail……Click Here to view and download A few recipes – Pre and post Delivery of the baby……(including […]
Drink Indian Cumin Lassi without sugar. Great for Diabetics. Salted Lassi is healthy and nutritious for your body. This drinks is like the indian chaas which is very good for the digestion. Enjoyed as a breakfast drink to cleanse the body of toxins. Ingredients: Plain Yogurt 1 cup Water 1 cup Coriander leaves 3 Cumin […]
Contest Entry for Cuisinart 2019 Event * “Dudh” means milk in Bengali and “puli” is another name for pitha. Dudh puli can be described as rice flour dumpling with coconut filling. by Mitali Kumar Ingredients: 2 cups coarse semolina 3 cups water 2 cups fresh shredded coconut 1 cup date palm jaggery 2 tablespoon of sugar 3-4 green […]
Ginger raises new hope in fight against ovarian cancer Polly CurtisThe Guardian, Tuesday 18 April 2006 Common ginger may be the next weapon in the battle against ovarian cancer, scientists have suggested. Laboratory studies have shown that powdered root ginger could be as effective as chemotherapy for treating ovarian cancer. When research-grade ginger – which […]
Preparation Time: 10 minsCooking Time: 10 minsMakes 4 servings Ingredients 3 cups low fat milk8 rasgullas , cut into halves1/4 tsp lemon juice1 tsp cornflour dissolved in1 tbsp low-fat milk4 tsp sugar substitutea pinch cinnamon (dalchini) powder For The Garnisha few strands saffron (kesar) MethodSoak the rasgullas in water for 1 minute, drain and discard […]
Lemon Grass” or “leeli-chai” and has healthy properties. You can find it in chinese markets in water containers. Here is an article on the benefits of Lemon Grass, you may find interesting. This is Indian Lemon Grass called Leeli Chai in India: Lemon grass is a perennial, aromatic tall grass with a light lemon scent used […]
Serves 2 Ingredients: • 1 cup (chopped) spinach leaves (without stems) • 1 cup chilled fresh orange juice • 1 cup cubed mango • ¼ cup (chopped) fresh mint • 2 medium ribs celery (finely chopped) • ¼ cup (chopped) flat-leaf parsley Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender. Keep blending it, until it is […]
Satisfy your Parsi Food cravings. We hope you will cook delicious, mouth-watering food with the recipes, cookbooks and videos provided on this site. Get $5 off our books for the coming Parsi New Year Celebrations. Apply Discount Code “AFDX5BD5” * Sale ends August 31, 2017 Click on image to go to the Amazon Create Space shopping cart. Next, add […]
Yogurt is hung to make it thick. Garnish with fresh blueberries, sliced almonds and serve shrikand immediately. Makes: 2 Servings of Shrikand. Ingredients 2 Cups Plain Yogurt 1 Pod Cardamom 4 Tbsps Sliced Blanched Almonds (optional) Fresh Blueberry Fruit (optional) Sugar to Taste A drop of red and blue food color (edible color) Method Crush the […]
Layered Falooda Ice Cream Cake (cardamom flavored cake layered with falooda ice cream) by Kshama Parikh is an artist and a blooger. Kshama’s blog is KesarLilly.com Kshama also blogs in the Facebook group Foodaholics in Ahmedabad #Parsi #Cuisine The word Parsi means Persian and it is evident that Parsi cuisine is influenced by their Persian roots as […]
By Anahita Shams Is there a Zoroastrian connection? Music, poetry and wine-drinking at the court of 17th Century Persian ruler Shah Abbas Until the Islamic revolution, Iran had a tradition of wine-making which stretched back centuries. It centred on the ancient city of Shiraz – but is there a connection between the place and the […]
Hindi Name: Nariyal ka doodh Coconut milk is obtained from grated coconut kernel. It is a very popular ingredient in South East Asian cuisine. The rich taste of coconut milk is due to the high oil content. It can be consumed raw or used as a substitute to milk in the preparation of various dishes. […]
