Besides the numerous delightful wordplays, you mean?
Fun fact: “chai” in Hindi just means “tea”. So when you are ordering a “chai tea latte” from Starbucks, what you are really asking for is a “tea tea latte”. It’s a little redundant, right?
What most Americans think of when they think of chai is actually masala chai. “Masala” in Hindi means “spice”. When you order Chicken Tikka Masala at an Indian restaurant, you are ordering “Chicken Marinated in Spices then Dry-Roasted”… ish. Translations are hard. But also pretty important! Especially when consuming foods and drinks from other cultures, it can be valuable to understand more about what we are eating and why it is called what it is. That really rounds out the cultural experience, and there are few cultural experiences like traditional masala chai. It is India in a cup. When you have a mug of masala chai, you are thrust into a world of spice and warmth that is uniquely Indian. Masala chai heightens all of your senses; it transports you to a place you didn’t know you wanted to experience until you’re there. And then you don’t want to leave.
Americans are generally afraid of spice. Yep, I said it. Especially in the Midwest, the palate for many people growing up (including me) was good ol’ meat and potatoes. Delicious and comforting, to be sure, but there’s not a whole lot of excitement there. When we venture out of this space it’s usually with great caution, like starting at the zero-point entry to the pool. Unfortunately, masala chai has become subject to this! Try a chai at a nearby chain coffee shop. More than likely, it’s not going to slap you in the face with spice, right? It’s a shame. We deserve more! Masala chai can be the best introduction to Indian cuisine, but it doesn’t need to be boring.
Midwest Chai provides an alternative. It is the perfect blend of the best Indian spices: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and black pepper. The cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg bring the warmth that makes this the perfect winter drink to sip in front of the fire. The cloves, ginger, and black pepper add a kick of spice at the end that will surprise you, then delight you and bring you in for another drink.
The best part? One serving is only a quarter teaspoon, so you can repeat this delightful culinary journey over and over again. When you buy a container of Midwest Chai you are investing in up to two months of an authentic Indian Masala chai experience. Simply mix our powder blend into a combo of 1/2 steamed milk, 1/2 hot water and add the sweetener of your choice. Try it iced! Try it with eggnog! Bake it into some bread! Midwest Chai is so versatile you can enjoy it the way you want.
Bring a little bit of India into your home this winter with authentic Midwest Chai. Let us know how much you love it, and how you made it! We love hearing from people how they chai’d a new way with Midwest Chai.
Get it? “Chai” a new way? Dad puns.
Chai on,
Aaron
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