Indian Teas: The Good, the Bad, and What I Know

Okay, so you wanna know about Indian teas, huh? Well, I ain’t no fancy tea expert or nothin’, but I’ve been drinkin’ tea my whole life, so I guess that makes me qualified enough. I don’t know all them fancy words, but I can tell ya what’s good and what ain’t.

First off, they say India’s got some of the oldest tea farms around. Started way back in 1837, some place called Assam. Can you believe that? 1837! That’s older than my grandma’s grandma, I bet. They grow a lot of tea over there in India, they say it’s one of the biggest tea places in the whole wide world. Lots and lots of tea, that’s for sure.

Now, there’s this tea they call “Assam tea.” It’s strong, real strong. Like, the kind that makes your eyes pop open in the mornin’. It’s got this strong taste, kinda bitter, but good bitter, you know? Not like when you accidentally bite into a lemon peel, but a good, earthy bitter. My husband, he likes it with a bit of milk and sugar, but I drink it straight up. Puts hair on your chest, they say. Not that I need any more hair, mind you.

• Good for Waking Up: Assam tea is strong, so it’s good for when you’re feeling sleepy.
• Strong Taste: If you like strong flavors, this one’s for you.
• Easy to Find: They sell this Assam tea everywhere now, even in the regular stores.

Then there’s this other tea, they call it “Chai”. Now, chai ain’t just one kind of tea, it’s like… a mix-up. They take black tea, and then they throw in all sorts of spices. You know, like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom… all them things that smell good. Sometimes they put milk in it, sometimes they don’t. It’s kinda sweet, kinda spicy, kinda warm… it’s just plain good, especially on a cold day. My daughter-in-law, she tried to make it once. She put way too much pepper in it, nearly blew my head off! But when it’s made right, oh boy, it’s the best thing ever. They say you can find it everywhere now, even in them fancy coffee shops. Imagine that, our chai in them fancy places!

Strong Indian Teas Versus Them Other Teas

Now, I heard tell that Indian teas are stronger than them Chinese teas. They say Chinese teas are more… delicate. Like a flower, I guess. Indian teas are more like a… I don’t know… like a good, strong tree. But then again, they say there are strong Chinese teas too, and some Indian teas that ain’t so strong. So, I guess it just depends. Me? I like my tea strong. Like my coffee, and like my opinions.

Finding the Best Indian Tea for You

So, how do you find a good Indian tea? Well, I reckon you just gotta try ’em all. Go to the store, buy a few different kinds, and see what you like. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try it with milk, try it with sugar, try it with lemon, try it with spices. You’ll find one you like eventually. And if you don’t, well, more for me, I say!

What I learned about Indian tea:

• It comes from India, a place that makes lots and lots of tea.
• Assam tea is strong and good for waking up in the morning.
• Chai is black tea with spices, and it’s warm and tasty.
• Indian teas are usually stronger than Chinese teas, but not always.
• The best way to find a good Indian tea is to try different kinds until you find one you like.

And that’s about all I know about Indian teas. Like I said, I ain’t no expert, but I know what I like. And I like a good, strong cup of tea. So go on, give them Indian teas a try. You might just find your new favorite drink.

Tags: [Indian tea, Assam tea, chai, black tea, tea flavors, tea benefits, India, tea plantations, tea types, strong tea]