Listen "Chai is Indian, Right?"
Episode Synopsis
It’s scalding hot, sweet, kadak — and proudly Indian. But can India really lay claim to chai?Hosts Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the journey of tea from the jungles near the Indo-China border to the boiling kettles of Indian railway stations. From its ancient medicinal uses in China to the British ‘discovery’ of wild tea bushes in Assam, this episode brews up a storm of fun facts, folk songs, and forgotten histories.We learn about Camellia sinensis, the dark legacy of British tea plantations and indentured labour, and the surprising role of Buddhist monks and Taoist philosophers in tea’s rise. The hosts also spill juicy trivia: why all teas come from the same plant, how iced tea rose to fame during Prohibition, and what Cha Bagan Time actually is.From masala chai to teefee and suleimani, this episode celebrates India’s deep love for chai while reminding us of its complex and global roots.Sip, listen, reflect.
More episodes of the podcast That’s The Thing with Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva
Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)
27/06/2025
India’s Fans – From Punkha to Ceiling
20/06/2025
India's Obsession with Gold
13/06/2025
The Flip Flopped Story of Hawai Chappal
27/06/2025
More Than Sad Songs -The Art of The Ghazal
23/05/2025
The Origin of Snakes And Ladders
16/05/2025
Is Auto Rickshaw Really Indian?
02/05/2025
That’s The Thing - Trailer
18/04/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.