Many people around the world kickstart their mornings with thoughts of their beloved ones, and such is the case for the lovers of Chai. The aroma of “Chai” dances in the homes with the fresh morning breeze, extending its influence beyond dawn to shape our entire day.
Whether shared with friends discussing the stock market, sipped alongside colleagues gossiping about juice-drinkers, enjoyed alone with contemplation by the fire on a cold evening, or prepared for a gathering, a visit to the chai stall is a communal experience.
While my morning today did not commence with Chai itself, the news of its triumph added an extra layer of delight. Masala chai has earned the prestigious title of the second-best non-alcoholic beverage globally for 2023. To add a touch of intrigue, I delved into the history of chai, eager to share the fascinating details with you.
Contrary to popular belief, the popularity of chai in India only took root in the mid-19th century. Before that, tea was primarily utilized as a medicinal plant in certain regions of India. Although tea had been consumed in China for over 2,000 years, credit for introducing chai to the Indian subcontinent goes to the British.
The term “tea” first appeared in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1600 as “Tcha,” described as “Excellent and approved by all physicians, China drink.” Tea was introduced in England in 1635 at a relatively high price of 6-10 euros per pound. In 1662, King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza and gifted a box of tea to her, thus portraying the value of tea.
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the elite class in England grew, and beverages like tea became commonplace, leading to increased demand. During this period, the responsibility of providing tea fell on the shoulders of the East India Company. JJ Voute and Sons took advantage of the situation, smuggling low-quality tea into England. The East India Company had to find a solution to this problem.
Wars and tea
In India during the 18th century, Bombay became the commerce hub of the East India Company. The Dutch increased their trade in Bombay, sparking rivalry and the Anglo-Dutch wars. With the shrinking silver used to buy tea from China, the British initiated the opium trade and smuggled it into China in exchange for tea.
Considering the financial risks of the smuggle, British tea cultivators made the decision to start growing tea in India. In 1788, tea samples were brought to India with the support of the Royal Societies of Arts, marking the beginning of tea cultivation research. It was Robert Bruce who discovered tea production in Assam, a fact previously unknown to the world. The commercial introduction of tea took place in 1824 and gradually extended to Darjeeling.
The Great Britrish Tea Robbery
In 1834, a tea community was established, and two decades later, Robert Fortune embarked on a journey to China to study tea samples. Recruited for a daring mission to smuggle tea from China, he visited a tea factory, acted as a Chinese person, and explored tea plantations in Zhejiang and Anhui for three months. Upon successfully obtaining tea seeds and plants, he brought 13,000 plant samples and 1,000 seeds back to Calcutta from the root of Hong Kong.
This marked the beginning of a tea boom in England. The international spread of tea continued, with Fraser’s Magazine declaring in 1853 that India was the “natural home of the tea plant.” By 1888, India surpassed China in tea imports to the United States and Europe. The year 1901 witnessed a significant expansion in the tea market.
From “Tea” to “Masala Chai”
The popularity of chai among Indians saw a surge in the 1920s. Tea started being sold at railway stations, and Bengal and Punjab became the first places where vendors set up tea shops. Tea advertisements, displayed on hoardings and posters, contributed to its popularity in India. Demonstrations on making tea were held, initially with black tea, but later vendors began adding milk, sugar, and various spices, giving rise to “masala chai.”
Post-Independence, tea became India’s largest industry and a major source of foreign exchange. It played a role in fostering the idea of a united India, symbolizing unity over a cup of tea. Advertisements depicted how families, with diverse views, would come together over tea. Over time, tea became a subject of photography, appeared in movies, and became intertwined with gossip culture. Advertisements also portrayed tea as an art form, emphasizing its role as a necessity for creating an artistic pursuit.
From being a cause of wars and rebellions, chai transformed into the most essential element for bringing and binding people together.
