December Spotlight: Masala Chai

Why Chai?

The word Chai directly translates from the ancient Sanskrit language to tea. 3,500 years of devoted practice to perfecting a pure process come together in a well prepared cup of Chai. Our Chai spices, along with the ingredients that sit with them work to create an authentic cup of Chai.

Masala Chai indicates a spiced blend of black tea & warming herbs brewed together to create a bold & flavorful cup. Our Chai Spice Blend omits the black tea, allowing for a caffeine-free brew of spicy chai. Each ingredient in Masala Chai has an ancient Ayurvedic purpose, in addition to blending together to create a delicious, warming cup of tea. Below we’ll explore each of the ingredients & why each promotes wellness from the inside out.

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Black Tea

We import our Assam Black tea leaves directly and exclusively from our partner estate in the Assam region of India. Our proprietary blend was specially created to brew the perfect cup of Masala (spiced) Chai. The Assam tea leaves we use bring both an intensely rich flavor as well as a beautiful color and aroma when brewed. Black tea is created by exposing fresh leaves from the tea plant to moist, oxygen-rich air until it becomes fully oxidized. Black tea contains both caffeine & a lesser known stimulant theophylline. Black tea leaves also contain a number of powerful antioxidants. Polyphenols, one type of antioxidant, are capable of fighting free radicals & helping protect your cells from DNA damage. Catechins, also contained in black tea, may even reduce the risk of cancer. Black tea has even appeared to lower risks for diabetes, high cholesterol, & Parkinson's Disease.

Ginger

A widely used nausea-suppressant, ginger is a staple ingredient in many types of Asian cooking. Ginger also works as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Early studies suggest that through its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can reduce the risk of colon cancer, while also reducing arthritis-related inflammation. As a warming spice, ginger works to maintain a body warmth during the cold winter months. Ginger also contains a multitude of beneficial compounds including beta-carotene, capsaicin, curcumin, and salicylate.

Cinnamon

While widely used as a spice, especially in the winter months, Cinnamon also contains powerful medicinal properties. Cinnamon works as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. Certain types of cinnamon are thought to help mitigate diabetes by lowering blood sugar. Cinnamon is also loaded with polyphenol antioxidants. Preliminary studies indicate Cinnamon may even help prevent colon cancer through activating enzymes in the colon to protect against future cancer growth. Cinnamon also contains Cinnemaldehyde an effective anti-fungal and antibacterial agent.

Clove

Clove has historically been used for medicinal purposes including pain reduction. Often it has been used to regulate dental pain and ease toothaches. Cloves contain eugenol a chemical known to fight infections and act as an analgesic. Clove has also been observed to help fight diarrhea, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress. Cloves warming properties may aid in fighting off cold & flu during the winter months.

Cardamom

Not often used in Western cooking, Cardamom is a powerhouse spice when it comes to its healing properties. Early studies suggest cardamom can counteract colon cancer & has general anti-cancer properties. Cardamom has been shown to help maintain heart health through its antioxidant action. It is also believed to be an anti-depressant. Traditionally, however, it has been used primarily for its antimicrobial properties & its ability to prevent and treat gastrointestinal distress, from nausea to cramps and diarrhea. It’s antimicrobial ability allow it to effectively fight cough, cold, & flu.

Black Peppercorn

Long used as a medicinal herb, peppercorn packs a powerful healing punch. It is often taken to combat stomach upset and to aid in general digestion by helping the body secrete the enzymes necessary to digest food. Like cloves, peppercorns may also help ease the pain from a toothache & help maintain dental health. Even better, peppercorns contain manganese an essential building block of enzymes related to energy production & antioxidant defenses. The variety of essential minerals peppercorns contain are so vital to our health they can even help fight cancer. ​

Drink Chai!

So there you have it -- a breakdown of each of the ingredients in a cup of delicious chai and their awesome health benefits. It's not only delicious, it's also functional.

Try Sesa Pure Chai today & embrace the power of products with purpose!