India’s Chai Masala Declared Second Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage

New Delhi: The hot cup of tea of most Indians, the Chai Masala, or Masala Chai as we know it, has secured the title of the second-best non-alcoholic beverage of 2023, according to the online food guide TasteAtlas.

Scoring a double rank, it also topped the “Best Foods and Drinks in India” list, underscoring the significant role of Chai Masala in Indian cuisine and culture​​.

Announcing the win on Instagram, the food guide described the beverage in the caption, saying, “Chai masala is an aromatic beverage originating from India. It is made with a combination of sweetened black tea and milk that is spiced with a masala mix—which typically includes cardamom, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.”

About its much-debated origin, the guide highlighted the link of the origin with the British tea trade. “In the 19th century, the Chinese had a monopoly on the tea trade, and the British looked for other markets that would fulfill the high demand for black tea—which was a firm European favorite,” the post explained.

In the global ranking, Chai Masala was positioned third, following Hong Kong-style Milk Tea and Aguas Frescas from Mexico.