Besan Ladoo
For any occasion, whether it is Diwali, Rakhsa Bhandhan (Raki Time) or Parsi mithu monu. These besan ladoo are so easy to make. I used to make them at 7 years of age playing with my friend.
Health benefits of Cardamon
You can use the whole pods (remove them before serving the dish) or powder the seeds. The famous Indian masala chai gets it’s flavor from green cardamom and ginger. 10 Health Benefits of Cardamom, Backed by Science Cardamom is a spice with an intense, slightly sweet flavor that some people compare to mint. It originated […]
The Saffron Elaichi Gulab Jamun
Saffron Elaichi Gulab Jamun by Rita Jamshed Kapadia The Gulab Jamun is one of the most popular indian sweet, served at restaurants in the states.”Gulab” means “Rose” and “Jamun” means a “Drop”. Translated these are literally “Drops of Rose”. In this recipe the flavor is real kesar (saffron) *and elaichi (cardamom) * so I call these “Drops […]
Audh – forgotten but now remembered
Parsi Audh – forgotten but now remembered.
Fish wrapped in Banana Leaf with delicious Chutney: Parsi Patra ni Maachi
Fish wrapped in Banana Leaf with delicious Chutney: Parsi Patra ni Maachi
The place of Tea in Indian Culture
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
Seven Ways to Celebrate Navroz 2020
Navroze / Nowruz / Nooruz is on March 21, 2020. 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 […]
To your good health as always
Darius Umrigar For Tennis elbow, knee pain, bone injury, twisted ankles, wrist issues, muscle inflammations or inflammation due to injury Kindly do as follows: Purchase these ingredients: 100 gms pure organic Turmeric powder. 50 gms allum,( phitkari or fatakri) 25gms sea salt thats used in cooking and not the iodised salt please. Take 100 gms of […]
Tea of India – Chai
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 […]
Dhanshak Masala
Dhanshak Masala While preparing the Parsi delight Dhanshak, you need not bother about curating various spices for enhancing the taste. Just use Badshah Dhanshak Masala and let your guests keep guessing the secret of your culinary skills. We ensure to keep the authenticity of its traditional taste intact in this spice mix.
Parsi Mutton Cutlets
By Rita Jamshed Kapadia Ingredients 250 gm mutton mince 1 tsp ginger paste 1 tsp garlic paste 1 green chilli, coarsely ground 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp clove-cinnamon powder or garam masala 2 Tbsp potatoes, boiled and mashed 5 mint leaves , chopped coarsley 1 Tbsp chopped coriander Salt to […]
White Pumpkin Preserve “Kohra no Murambo”
An old parsi favorite, White Pumpkin Preserve “Kohra no Murambo”. Saw the white pumpkin today at the garden center in Home Depot !!! Murambo goes with toast (burnt or lightly toasted), Fried eggs (half – fried eggs or fully fried crisp). My mother in law, Jalloo used to make it and add peaches or […]
Health benefits of Bay Leaves
Health benefits of Bay Leaves
Cooking With the Parsis
Cooking With the Parsis; Parsi: Indian Spices, Mideastern Cooking; Tehmina Alphonse’s Parsi Recipes Method for Making Ghee Kheema Kebabs (Spiced meatballs) Mango Kulfi Dhansak (Chicken with lentil puree) By Craig Claiborne PRINCETON, N.J. WOULD YOU come to dinner?” Tehmina Alphonse asked. “I will prepare you the traditional meal of the Parsis in India. Our culture […]
Nan Khatai
Nan Khatai These soft cookies are similar to the European dutch shortbread cookies. I flavored them with Rose and Cardamon. Very easy and fun to make. Makes 12 Ingredients 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter (salted is fine but omit the pinch of salt) 1/2 tsp. double-acting baking […]