Chai Health Benefits & Pamban Chai
Delicious & Health Beneficial. Introducing Pamban Chai
As we arrive into the new year and having experienced all these cold weathers, you might have starting to think about chai Lattes if you’re a coffee drinker. 'Will I like them? I do like them when drinking out...' The spices and aromas of chair are warm and comforting during the transition into and throughout the colder months. If you’re a tea lover then chai might also be something you enjoy all year round. But what exactly is chai and why is it so popular?
Chai is the Hindi word for ‘tea’ and originates from India. The word ‘chai’ was adopted by Western culture and is now the western name given to the fragrant and spicy Indian tea known as Masala chai. At its core it’s a black Tea, traditionally a Darjeeling or Assam which are Black tea’s native to the region, with the addition of Ginger and a variety of spices including cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, cloves, black pepper, fennel, peppercorns and coriander seeds. Different varieties will have different quantities of these spices whilst some may remove some of them altogether. This makes for a spicy, aromatic and ‘warm’ sensation when you drink it, which is why it’s so popular during the winter months.
Whereas traditional tea is brewed with boiling water, chai is brewed using a combination of warm milk and warm water, as well as often further sweetened. This has also led to the creation of the chai latte where a shot of chai tea concentrate is added to the steamed milk used to make a traditional latte.
Chai isn’t just a comforting, warming, aromatic hot beverage though; it is also widely regarded as having a range of health benefits. These benefits come from the black tea and the variety of spices used to make it. Here are some to consider:
1 Chai improves digestion
One of the main ingredients in chai tea, ginger, has been proven to aid issues surrounding digestion. Ginger improves circulation thus improving the flow of oxygen to organs making them work more effectively. The black pepper found in chai tea is also known to assist the pancreas in producing enzymes with these enzymes speeding up the process of digestion whilst also breaking down fats and protein.
2 Chai helps with anti-nausea
If you feel sick then the ginger found in chai tea has anti-sickness properties. Gingerol and Shogaol; two of the biological compounds found in ginger, have proven to reduce inflammation which can settle your stomach and reduce pains and aches associated with stomach problems. For example, this makes it extremely beneficial during pregnancy as it can help combat the effects of morning sickness.
3 Chai boosts your immune system
We could all do with boosting our immune systems, especially during the winter months, and the cardamom found in chai tea is naturally high in Vitamin C, a vital component in supporting your immune system. To fully reap the benefits, you need to be drinking this every day - a cup now and then will have minimal impact.
4 Chai may help you maintain a healthy heart
Studies have shown that cinnamon, an ingredient in chai tea, can help to lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. By managing and maintaining a healthy blood pressure and low cholesterol, you are less likely to face heart-related issues in the future.
Furthermore, studies also suggest that the oils within cinnamon can help to battle diabetes. Whilst this benefit is linked to cinnamon rather than to chai itself, which is true of all the benefits we list here, the consumption of chai on a regular basis allows you to benefit from all these advantages in the form a delicious beverage.
Delicious and beneficial – what a winning combination, and you guessed it, in our Pantry subscriptions we offer our favourite chai brand - Pamban. Why Pamban? It all began when two friends, from Sri Lanka and India, felt that proper chai was never available in British cafes. Combining both their heritages, the name Pamban was inspired by an island found in-between both countries, and with strong ties to Great Britain, was a representation of all their backgrounds. Born in 2017, Pamban chai have won numerous awards since and can now be found served in many leading speciality coffee cafes.
As we've outlined, Pamban is a tea made of brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic spices, however, the chais readily available in your local supermarket will often lack depth, complexity of flavour and the mentioned ayurvedic properties that are always found in proper chai. With other chai brands packing their chai with sugar-based syrups and artificial flavourings, in turn lacking depth and flavour due to a lack of proper brewing process, such options lack goodness and can typically be made from preservatives. Enter Pamban chai, our favourite chai brand, full of authentic heritage in every bag, in celebration of the passion, fun and goodness of true, great chai.
GUSTATORY (adjective): curating excellence in taste.