Vishal Parik wrote that tea is not only the beginning of the conversation, but also a source of refreshing, hospitable gestures and income methods for many people, because he shared the history and benefits of brewing

For some people, it is difficult to start the morning without tea. For others, any arduous task first requires a good cup of tea, and for some, it is an unconscious comfort drink every day. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. However, in India, it has changed from a drink to an emotion. In every home, street shop, stall, and cafe, it is hard not to find people indulging in daily comfort.

Indians have a deep love and connection with tea. Tea is not only the beginning of conversation, it also has the ability to trigger people's discussion of ordinary daily affairs, and everyone is willing to be a part of it. This is a way to get closer to people and understand them. Not only the ordinary Chaitaburi is also known for fierce political debates. Tea is a source of refreshments, a gesture to customers, and a way of income for many people. Indians have a lot of credit for this daily panacea. One can easily say that it goes beyond simple consumption as a beverage. It is more like a ritual or habit, and it is undoubtedly a kind of celebration-a daily celebration.

In India, as early as 500 BC, people knew that tea was mainly used for medicinal purposes, but it was not widely known until it was introduced by the British in 1826. Initially, the British tried to plant Chinese tea trees in India, which was largely proved to be unsuccessful due to climate differences (except the Darjeeling region of the Himalayas). People soon discovered that India already has its own native tea trees, which grow in the Assam Valley in northeastern India. It was originally to break China's monopoly on tea production, and finally gave India a gift whose citizens did not know they would fall in love with it. The British began to grow tea in India and export it to other places. In 1837, the first English tea plantation was established in Chabua, Upper Assam. In 1840, the Assam Tea Company began commercial production of tea in the region. This led to the expansion of the British tea drinking culture. Black tea and tea with milk and sugar were introduced to Indians. Before people realized it, its Indian version, Masala Chai, was made by adding milk, sugar and spices such as cardamom, anise and cloves to black tea. Become the daily fuel for many people. Today, India is the second largest tea producer in the world.

Although the core technology of brewing tea to make hot drinks is the same as before, different regions of India use different styles and tastes to make their own tea. From Kashmir Kahwa tea in the Kashmir Valley to Chechai on the streets of Mumbai, tea changes its taste, composition and viscosity every few kilometers. The chai drunk in the blue mountains of Nilgiri Mountain is very different from the special nutmeg chai made in Kolkata. Although the aroma of Desi Chai from thelas of Gujarat will make you crave tea, the masala chain from the local garden of Assam provides a unique flavor for your palate. For Indians who have deeply rooted tea in an inseparable part of their society and culture, there are countless types of tea to choose from.

Interestingly, although the British introduced tea, the different styles of tea we found in different parts of India were influenced by other parts of the world. A good example is Kashmiri tea commonly known as Kahwa. As we all know, the flavor of Kahwa is influenced by Arabic. This green tea originates from the valleys of Kashmir and exudes the aromas of cardamom pods, cinnamon bark and saffron, and then crushed almonds are added. It is said that Kahwa leaves came through the spice route. They have a cross-cultural meaning because the name "Kahwa" is derived from Arabic. Traditionally, it is prepared in a copper pot called a samovar, much like Turkish, Arabic, and Russian samovars.

History shows that the style of tea making in each region of India depends to a large extent on the availability of local herbs and spices grown in that region. Another factor that affects tea is the rulers and merchants that the region has witnessed, and the herbs and spices that come and go as a result.

The same was true in the Vedic era. As India saw the introduction of various new herbs and spices, Ayurveda began to flourish. Literally meaning "life science", the ancient Indian health care system used a variety of herbs, spices and flowers, which are beneficial to health and combined with the benefits of tea to treat diseases. Tea has a variety of medicinal values ​​and plays a vital role in the treatment of diseases by traditional methods.

Even today, as people pay more and more attention to health, tea has become the first choice of many people. In India, firewood is a habit, consumed about 3-4 times a day. The most widely known is bed tea, which opened a day for most Indians. The other is evening tea with snacks, designed to rejuvenate you after a tiring day. A study by the Tea Council of India shows that about 64% of households in India and 96% of family members who live in it drink tea regularly. Since drinking tea is a challenging habit, most people increase their milk and sugar intake with the intake of tea, so they pay more and more attention to their tea intake. However, consumption patterns have not decreased, but have changed more and more. More and more people are now adopting healthier alternatives, such as white wine tea, black tea, green tea, chamomile tea, and jasmine tea.

Although tea was previously regarded as a source of refreshing, it is now regarded as a means of health, immunity, weight loss and hydration. Tea made with natural herbs and spices that enhance immunity is now popular. Tea that has detoxification properties and calms nerves and allows you to sleep well is a new choice for people today. It is also interesting that many Gen Z and millennials who have adopted a coffee shop and caffeine culture have also switched from coffee to tea because of its health benefits.

Tea has many health benefits, depending on its blend, flavor, and other added ingredients.

The health benefits of tea are endless and depend largely on its taste and composition. New mixed flavors and interesting flavors appear every day to adapt to the new generation of flavors. Indians are willing to try and adopt flavors such as Gulkand, Licorice, Mint and Lemongrass. The herbs and flowers used in it are closer to the tastes of the Indians, so they quickly became popular.

The experimentation and love of tea has led to a large number of flavors and blends that have never been heard before. Vegetable infusion tea flavors such as tomato basil tea and beetroot tea are becoming more and more popular among tea lovers.

Matcha, Moringa and Moroccan mint tea have also become popular due to their detoxifying properties.

Another new development that is about to replace carbonated beverages is cold brew. Cold brewed tea with raspberry, plum, cucumber and coconut flavors is made into iced tea. The Indians don't stop there. They also figured out how to eat tea as a dessert. Naturally sweet teas such as apple tea, cinnamon tea, peach tea and cranberry tea are used as dessert teas, making it a category of gourmet teas.

 When it comes to all the new variants, one cannot forget the beautiful bubble tea, boba tea and pearl tea, which have juicy flavors such as lychee and strawberry.

Interestingly, the taste buds of consumers are changing every day. New and authentic flavors and blends are becoming more and more important, and their value to consumers continues to deepen. Tea lovers who understand and appreciate original, fresh ingredients and authentic flavors are increasing, as is the Indian tea industry.

Co-founder and CEO of Danta Herbs