Masala Chai, Fast and Slow
by Rajani LaRocca
illustrated by Neha Rawat
illustrated by Neha Rawat
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00For my dad, the best Thatha Chai maker and storyteller.
00:09R.L.
00:10For Karen Baiya who gifted me my first graphics tablet and launched my journey into digital
00:16art.
00:17N.R.
00:18Masala Chai fast and slow.
00:22By Rohani La Roca.
00:24Illustrated by Nihara Wah.
00:27Arath loved his Thatha very much, although they were as different as water and molasses.
00:33Thatha shuffled.
00:35He sauntered.
00:37He strolled.
00:39Arath ran.
00:41He rushed.
00:42He raced.
00:44Thatha dressed deliberately.
00:47Arath put his pants on two legs at a time.
00:50Faster faster, cried Arath.
00:54Slowly slowly said Thatha.
00:57Thatha was the best at telling funny stories, taking afternoon naps, and making delicious
01:03Masala Chai which he did every day at 5 o'clock.
01:07Can't we make it faster, asked Arath.
01:11Masala Chai cannot be rushed said Thatha.
01:14It must be made carefully.
01:17Thatha heated milk and water in a pot on the stove and scooped in tea leaves.
01:23Arath helped add spices.
01:26Slowly slowly said Thatha.
01:29Arath knew the Masala Chai was ready when it turned a warm brown and filled the kitchen
01:34with a wonderful scent.
01:37But one day when Thatha reached for the cardamom pods from a high shelf, he slipped off the
01:42stool.
01:44When he tried to get up, he couldn't stand on his foot.
01:48Thatha had a bad sprain.
01:51He couldn't shuffle saunter or stroll.
01:54Thatha wasn't just slow, he was completely still.
01:58He didn't tell his stories.
02:01All he did was nap.
02:03And he couldn't make Masala Chai.
02:06Arath had an idea.
02:08Maybe he could make Masala Chai himself.
02:12He'd been helping Thatha for so long he was sure he knew how.
02:17And what would make Thatha feel better than a cup of the warm spiced sweetness?
02:22Arath couldn't wait.
02:25Daddy helped him gather ingredients.
02:28Arath dumped everything into a pot picturing Thatha's face when he tased it.
02:33But all he made was a big mess.
02:36Arath tried again.
02:38Mommy helped him heat water and milk.
02:42He scooped in tea leaves and then strained them out.
02:46Just like Thatha did.
02:48But he didn't let the leaves steep long enough.
02:52So the Chai looked too pale and just tasted like milk.
02:56Arath tried again this time with Patty's help.
03:00He hopped around the room while he waited for the tea leaves to steep.
03:05This time the chair was the right color.
03:08But it didn't smell right.
03:10He had forgotten to add the spices.
03:14It wasn't Masala Chai.
03:16Then he remembered what Thatha had told him.
03:20Masala Chai cannot be rushed said Arath.
03:23It must be made carefully.
03:26Arath measured milk and water into a pot.
03:29He put it to heat on the stove.
03:32Once tiny bubbles appeared at the edges, he scooped in dark tea leaves.
03:38Then one by one, he added spices.
03:42Five cardamom pods.
03:44Four cloves.
03:46Three slices of ginger.
03:49Two black peppercorns.
03:51And one cinnamon stick.
03:54Slowly slowly said Arath.
03:56He waited patiently while the Chai simmered and steeped.
04:01Soon he saw the warm brown of the Masala chair and smelled its wonderful scent it was ready.
04:07Arath and his helpers strained the Masala Chai.
04:11They added sugar and mixed it in a milky ribbon.
04:15Just like Thatha always did.
04:18This is perfect Masala Chai.
04:21Thatha said.
04:22I feel better already.
04:25Everyone stayed still and sipped the warm spiced sweetness.
04:29Masala Chai was worth slowing down for.
04:33And so was Thatha.
04:35Author's note.
04:37When I was child, every afternoon when my family came home from school we drank tea,
04:42otherwise known a Chai, milky and fragrant and sweet.
04:47I'll never forget those moments when we slowed down, put aside whatever else we were doing
04:52and chatted about our days while we enjoyed a delicious drink.
04:57And sometimes, if we wanted to feel particularly luxurious we made Masala Chai adding spices
05:03while brewing our tea to create complex flavors.
05:07Nowadays, I still enjoy afternoon Chai with my parents husband and children.
05:14And my dad, the Thatha in my family is definitely the best Chai maker in the house.
05:20There no correct way to make Masala Chai just the way you find most delicious.
05:26Kids can have warm milk with a splash of tea.
05:30I hope you try making Masala Chai with your family and take the time to stop whatever
05:35you're doing slow down and enjoy a delicious drink with those you love.
05:40Masala Chai.
05:42Ingredients for 4 Servings.
05:442 Cup Water.
05:462 Cups Milk.
05:484 Tablespoons Black or Rooibos Tea, or 4 Tea Bags.
05:54Fresh whole spices to taste, I recommend 3 Cardamom Pods, 2 Cloves, 1 to 2 Slices Fresh
06:01Ginger, 2 Peppercorns and a 1-inch Cinnamon Stick.
06:064 Teaspoons Sugar or Honey, or to taste.
06:10Directions.
06:111.
06:13Measure water and milk into a pot.
06:16With a grown-up's help, put the pot on the stove medium-low or low heat.
06:21Keep an eye on the pot so it doesn't boil over.
06:252.
06:26Once bubbles appear at the edges, add the tea leaves or tea bags.
06:30Adjust the heat so the liquid is simmering.
06:333.
06:34Crush the cardamom pods and peppercorns gently with the back of a spoon and add them to the
06:39pot.
06:40Add slices of ginger.
06:43Add the cloves and cinnamon stick and any other spices you enjoy.
06:474.
06:48Turn the heat down low and let the tea and spices steep at least 3 minutes or up to 8
06:53for a stronger flavor.
06:56Once the masala chai has turned a deep brown and smells wonderful strain it into cups.
07:025.
07:03Add sweetener, then pour the masala chai back and forth a few times between a cup and a
07:08larger cup or pot.
07:11This mixes in the sweetener cools the chai a little and adds air which enhances the flavors.
07:166.
07:17Enjoy the masala chai with those you love.
07:21The End