Indian Spiced Chai Tea - flavored black loose tea

Uses

Serving Suggestion

You can enjoy this tea as a traditional chai, by brewing it with milk instead of water, and by sweetening it with honey, sugar, or another sweetener.  (Modern baristas might refer to this as a “chai latte” but residents of India have been making it that way for at least a couple centuries!)

By the way, a good, non-dairy alternative to milk would be coconut milk or coconut cream.  That gives it a rich and creamy quality.  (Please make sure you’re not allergic to coconut, first.)

To our tastebuds, this tea does not need any more flavor, but if you wish to add some, feel free to sprinkle on a bit of cinnamon, ginger, or even vanilla!  You can even garnish this tea with a gingersnap or cinnamon stick for fun.

As far as snacks to enjoy with it, there are delicious ones from India that go very well.  Try to find some rasgulla, gulab jamun, or kulfi.  If you can’t find those, there are mainstream alternatives that are equally tasty albeit different: bagels, sourdough bread, or crackers smeared with cream cheese, butter, honey, and/or jam.

Physical Uses

Our Indian Spiced Chai contains several ingredients which are reputed to have benefits for the body.  Here are just a few.  First, there’s black tea, which contains antioxidants.  Those help to remove free radicals from the body.  Tea also has caffeine, which can improve mental concentration.  Second, cinnamon may help lower blood sugar levels, reduce heart disease risk factors, ease stomach discomfort, and reduce inflammation.  Next, cardamom may help improve digestion, lower blood pressure, and also reduce inflammation.  Fourth, there’s coriander, which may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep.  Fifth, traditional practitioners have used sweet fennel for centuries to relieve gas bloating and other digestive discomforts.  And last there’s lemongrass which may help to reduce anxiety, lower blood sugar levels, and improve sleep.

Therefore, it would appear that the herbs and spices in this tea work together to make your tummy feel better and help reduce anxiety.  Sounds like a great tea to drink after a big meal, or when you’re feeling generally out-of-sorts!

Aromatherapy Uses

The aromas wafting up from your mug of Indian Spice Chai may help you relax!  Look at the traditional aromatherapy uses for its ingredients.  First, cinnamon is known both to stimulate the mind and improve concentration, but also to reduce feelings of anxiety or stress.  Second, cardamom can help to improve digestion and respiratory function, but also reduce feelings of anxiety or stress.  Third, inhaling the scent of coriander can help improve mood, as well as reduce anxiety and stress.  And last, lemongrass also reduces anxiety and stress, while promoting a sense of inner calm.

Therefore, these herbs combine aromatically to bring forth a powerful combined “calmness” effect, which you can achieve by breathing in the steam of your tea while you sip it.  Keep in mind, however, that the tea itself does contain caffeine, so if you are sensitive to that, the caffeine may increase your anxiety.

Metaphysical Uses

The spices in this tea are all strong symbols of protection and balance.   First there’s cinnamon, which many cultures have used for protection and power.  It is used to ward of negativity and hexes, and to attract luck and prosperity.  Many anti-hex and anti-curse spells involve cinnamon.  Second, there’s cardamom, which Ayurvedic practitioners have traditionally used to balance the chakras (i.e., spiritual energy-centers) and to align the body and mind.  Third, we have coriander.  Many cultures have used this herb for a love charm, but also to attract positive energy and good luck.  And lastly, there’s lemongrass, which Eastern cultures have used for centuries it purification and protection rituals.  Many believe lemongrass also promotes emotional balance and positive energy.

Therefore, in order to harness the protection and balance of this tea, sip it slowly while focusing on a white bubble of Light.  Picture it clearly in your mind.  You are within the bubble.  Picture yourself feeling protected and safe, and receiving the energies you need to be balanced and calm.  Allow this meditation to continue while you sip the tea and breathe in the steam.  When the tea is gone, release the image to the Universe, so that the ideal image of yourself can manifest in the real world.  It is done!