But India made it completely its own by adding milk to it.
Why is tea drunk with milk in India?
This form of tea came to India during the British rule. In the 19th century, when the East India Company established its tea business in competition with China, tea was grown on a large scale in India. But initially it was only for the British and exports, not for common Indians. In the early 1900s, the British suggested adding milk and sugar to popularize tea among Indians. Gradually this habit settled in the hearts of people. Indians not only adopted it, but also completely transformed it with new tastes and spices.
How did milk, spices and sweetness change the taste?
Milk has always been important in Indian kitchen, whether it is sweets or drinks. Therefore, when it was added to tea, it became not just a drink, but a feeling of comfort. Spices like cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and cloves made it tasty and aromatic. This made masala tea which is now famous all over the world.
How did the chaiwala culture spread from the railway station to the street corners?
By the middle of the 20th century, tea became a part of every Indian’s daily routine. Tea vendors started appearing everywhere at railway stations, roadsides and college campuses. It was no longer just a drink, but became a symbol of unity and belonging. In China and Japan, the emphasis of tea is on purity and lightness of taste. Milk is rarely added in Britain. In Europe it is light and elegant. But in India the tea is thick and spicy.