Parsiana August 7, 2016 – A selection of recipes from a bygone era when food was cooked over wood stoves. By Farrokh Jijina. Pickled Lady’s Fingers, Daal Madrasi and Coffee Jelly. RE-Print of Original Gujarati Volumes available as a paperbacks in new glossy paper. Printed in USA. Click below to purchase: Check out ENGLISH Translations […]
Cake of the Year ParsiCuisine.com Books available on Amazon Manna of the 21st Century: Parsi Cuisine Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090868391 Hardcover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0962FML7W Indian Parsi Kitchen https://www.amazon.com/dp/1535410132 Celebrations: Celebrating Zoroastrian Festivals and Traditions https://www.amazon.com/dp/152381845X Dhansak: Parsi Cuisine https://amzn.to/4d92fuv
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
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Chef Floyd Cardoz passes away with Corona Virus
By Michael Snyder Editor’s note: See Floyd’s Indian Spiced Tomato Egg Casserole with Parsi flavors Even without a New York restaurant of his own right now, Floyd Cardoz remains one of the city’s most recognizable, celebrated chefs. It’s been half a decade since he closed Tabla, the highly decorated modern-Indian restaurant he ran with Danny […]
Considering India just celebrated its independence of 70 years from the British Raj, this makes the bakery one of the longest surviving and thriving business in modern day India. During their reign in India, the Dutch established in Surat a warehouse on Dutch Road, in which five Parsi gentlemen were employed as bakers. When the […]
Kadha Drink for a sore throat
This Chicken Soup improves immunity and helps during a flu or cold. Ingredients 1 lb or 4 chicken drumsticks 2 Tomatoes chopped 1 large red onion sliced 2 inch piece of cinnamon stick 2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste (adoo lasan) 1 tsp salt or to taste (optional can omit for a low sodium diet) 1 […]
Do you….. Do you want a cookbook but don’t know where to start? Already have a cookbook and want to take it up a notch? Want to cook you own garden vegetables and fruit? Want to save money on your grocery bill by cooking at home? Want a speaker on cooking topics for your club, […]
Cookbooks by Rita Jamshed Kapadia Available to purchase on https://www.amazon.com/shop/parsicuisine ParsiCuisine.com Books available on Amazon Manna of the 21st Century: Parsi Cuisine Paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/1090868391 Hardcover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0962FML7W Indian Parsi Kitchen https://www.amazon.com/dp/1535410132 Celebrations: Celebrating Zoroastrian Festivals and Traditions https://www.amazon.com/dp/152381845X Dhansak: Parsi Cuisine https://amzn.to/4d92fuv
by BawaTips and Parsi Khabar Nice one – so good had to share! “Patio” is a outdoor sitting area and a yummy parsi tomato based sauce to be enjoyed ! How about having the “Parsi Patio” with “Dhan Dar” on a warm sunny deck (patio). Of course the wierd shrimps love basking in the sunshine […]
The upcoming Netflix original, directed by Neeraj Udhwani, is due to be released this March. Maska = Butter. A bun-maska heritage snack with hot tea was immortalized by Zarthoshti-Irani cafes. Brun Pao is the bread ! Starring Shirley Setia as Persis & Prit Kamani as Rumi who as Rumi shows Persis, a photographer, around Mumbai. […]
Coffee & Milk frothed
by Havovi Bhomisha Patel Ingredients 120 gm Egg white 100 gm Castor sugar 125 gm Almond powder 200 gm Icing sugar Method Whip egg whites and castor sugar till soft peak. Add sieved almond powder and icing sugar. Fold in with a spatula. Add a drop of gel colouring. Pipe on paper with the shape drawn […]
