Chai

It's sold by the cheery chai-wallah from street corners to train stations to open air chai shops, as well as being brewed up in every home. Truly authentic Indian chai is very different from what's served in certain UK coffee chains, as that is diluted down to suit the English pallet. But you have to try the original version! Traditional chai is thick and creamy and usually made with Buffalo milk, loose black tea leaves, cardamom, cloves and lots and lots of sugar. There are so many different versions of chai, some made with cinnamon (in India this is made for people you really love) right through to adding fresh ginger and even fennel. In India, I can remember being woken up to the voices shouting 'garam garam chai' or 'hot hot tea'. Before handing you a glass, there is the amazing cooling down ritual which is just beautiful to watch. The chai-wallah expertly pour the steaming hot tea from one cup to another at such speed that it looks like an elastic band being stretched and relaxed. Drunk with a plate of spiced potatoes and a plain parantha is just amazing and something you have to try.

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet