Tag: chai

For The Tea Lovers: Our Favourite Chai Recipes With A Twist

We Indians love our tea, actually, we Indians love our chai. Just like the west where the day does not begin without a cup coffee, in India no day can begin effectively without a cup of chai. We make plain tea, pudina tea, cinnamon tea, cardamom tea, ginger tea and so on. But, have you ever tried chocolate tea or vanilla tea perhaps? Now you can! Try out these amazing chai recipes and give your regular chai a lovely twist.

Also read: 10 Health Benefits Of Different Types Of Tea

Chocolate Chai

Chocolate and chai, two of our favourite things, together, in one drink. How can we not love this concoction?

Chocolate Chai

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 clove (laung)

1 heapful teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)

2 teaspoons brown sugar or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Chocolate shavings/cocoa powder (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, clove, tea powder and sugar.

Bring this to a boil. Add the cocoa powder and stir with a spoon ensuring no lumps are formed.

Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer stirring occasionally. Once completely heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder. Serve hot.

Vanilla Chai

The vanilla extract gives this chai recipe an irresistible aroma and silky smooth taste.

Vanilla Chai

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

2 cloves cardamom (elaichi)

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Whipped cream (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Crush the cardamom pods in a mortar-pestle.

Add the crushed cardamom, tea powder and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally.

Once heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a light sprinkle of all spice powder. Serve hot.

Also read: Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea

Orange Chai

We never thought chai could be made more refreshing than it already is, but with the addition of orange, it’s even more awakening and delicious.

Orange Chai

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 small orange zest

2 teaspoons honey or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Sliced orange (optional)

1 stick cinnamon (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

 Method

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, tea powder, orange zest and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and stir occasionally.

Once, the milk has boiled, turn off the heat and strain into a glass or cup.

Garnish with sliced orange and cinnamon stick if desired. You can also sprinkle a little all spice powder around the rim. Serve hot.

What are you waiting for! A true chai lover would definitely give these delectable chai recipes a try. Are you one of them?

These 6 Food Are Directly Linked To Cancer And Everyone Should Be Aware Of It! 

You already know that certain foods are bad for your waistline and heart, but recent research confirms that junk food and other culprits may up your risk for cancer, too. There are plenty of reasons to improve the quality of your diet, but researchers have recently confirmed that lowering your risk of developing certain types of cancer may be the best reason of all. Here’s what you need to know. 

1)    Pickles 

Fermented foods have grown popular lately because they’re said to have digestive benefits thanks to their supply of healthy bacteria. But some preliminary research suggests that their high salt content may be linked to stomach cancer.

2)    Barbeque 

High intake of meat, particularly well-cooked meat, has been associated with increased risk of cancers! The problem seems to be that cooking meat on a grill leads to the production of carcinogenic compounds known as PAHs. Essentially, the mouthwatering char marks on a flame-broiled burger or steak are the sign of chemicals that may not be as good for you as they taste.

3)    Alcohol

When it comes to alcohol, it’s more about quantity than quality. There are strong links to increased risk of cancer with moderate to high alcohol intake. That’s why experts recommend no more than one serving of alcohol—the equivalent of a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce serving of wine, or 1.5-ounce shot of liquor per day for women; men can double those servings on account of their higher body weight.

4)    Microwave Popcorn

Often, microwavable popcorn bags are lined with a nonstick coating that contains PFOA, a chemical that has been shown in animal studies to increase the risk of liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancers, among others. Popping your own may take longer but is worth the trouble. Some brands offer alternative liners, too.

5)    Canned Tomatoes And Sauce

Manufacturers use bisphenol A (BPA) in certain kinds of plastics and—until recently—the linings of cans used for canned goods. The problem? BPA can interfere with the body’s natural production of sex hormones, upping the risk for breast and prostate cancer. Because of their high acidity, tomatoes tend to leach the chemical from the can lining, making them a much more concentrated source of BPA.

6)    Hot Beverages 

There’s been a lot of debate over this because coffee and tea have other health advantages. Recently, the World Health Organization removed coffee from its list of potential carcinogens. But there is still evidence suggesting that serving beverages at 149° F or higher could elevate the risk of esophageal cancer, which is deadly.