#chai time

[maybee-magical]

have a sip of my magical chai

[starsfromanothersky]

As published on my Substack

Mary Elizabeth Braddon wrote about the totally mesmerising stuff of tea rituals in her 1862 super dramatic novel Lady Audley’s Secret :

“She looked very pretty and innocent, seated behind the graceful group of delicate opal china and glittering silver. Surely a pretty woman never looks prettier than when making tea. The most feminine and most domestic of all occupations imparts a magic harmony to her every movement, a witchery to her every glance. The floating mists from the boiling liquid in which she infuses the soothing herbs, whose secrets are known to her alone, envelop her in a cloud of scented vapour, through which she seems a social fairy, weaving potent spells with Gunpowder and Bohea. At the tea table she reigns omnipotent, unapproachable. What do men know of the mysterious beverage? Read how poor Hazlitt made his tea, and shudder at the dreadful barbarism. How clumsily the wretched creatures attempt to assist the witch president of the tea-tray; how hopelessly they hold the kettle, how continually they imperil the frail cups and saucers, or the taper hands of the priestess. To do away with the tea-table is to rob woman of her legitimate empire. To send a couple of hulking men about amongst your visitors, distributing a mixture made in the house-keeper’s room, is to reduce the most social and friendly of ceremonies to a formal giving out of rations.”

“The starry diamond upon her white fingers flashed hither and thither amongst the tea-things, and she bent her pretty head over the marvellous Indian tea-caddy of sandal-wood and silver with as much earnestness as if life held no higher purpose than the infusion of Bohea.”

-Lady Audley’s Secret, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, (242-243)

I’ve totally fallen for the whole tea-making vibe- it’s got this beauty and mystery thing going on, like brewing something in Snape’s potions class. Every time I mosey into the kitchen to whip up some chai for myself- the steam swirling around, the quaint jars of tea leaves and chai masala all around- it’s like Braddon’s voice is whispering in my ear like some thrilling ghostly podcast.

Tea time’s my favourite time of the day- like a super important 15 minute break where you can just hit pause on life. Whenever I have people over, or like I am visiting someone, chai is so so central to it- and everyone’s always like “milk? little bit of milk? lots of milk? sugar? no sugar?”- asking how you want your tea, and honouring your tea wishes. I like mine with just a tiny bit of milk and bakery cookies on the side. Chai time is special because it’s like this ritual- unlike other meals, I like that it’s the same every day. I don’t need variety or anything- maybe that’s where the comfort’s at.

In Mrinal Sen’s Antareen (1993), this writer dude who’s an insomniac is like living off tea, he’s all about focusing on his writing. During the pandemic I was kind of thinking maybe I could survive on tea too. And I guess that’s what I love about chai time- even when everything else is super messy, tea’s like this one constant thing you can count on.

Here are some screen grabs of tea time in films that were hanging out in a random folder on my desktop till now 🫖

Oh, by the way, I’m into both tea and coffee. And I think that whole ritual vibe applies to making a cup of coffee too ☕️

[rhysaka]

Aah yes it’s the shocking my body with another sugar rush by drinking a cup of chai time.

[maudiemoods]

NOOOOO I came home from work at 3pm, ate food then passed out till 10pm waaaaa I didn't want to sleep the day away!! Jsjsjsjdjdjs

[0witchy-bitch3]

🫖 🏵 Summer Solstice Turmeric Spiced Chai 💛🌞

[dandeliononthemoon]

When your appointment at the hospital is finished early so you make some chai to enjoy this view

[the-slythering-raven]

If we met I'd love to have a chai with you and chat about Tony Stark hurt/comfort fics :)

Ooh..yeah..tell me when you visit Kolkata.. the best chai is available from the street stalls and they also have tasty biscuits .. and then we will discuss how to project our emotions and migraines onto poor Tony 😅

[queryeve]

Medicinal tea I make for enjoyment, and for boyfriend's lingering damp cough (he is prone to bronchitis at this time of year). Measurements approximate: 4 tsp black tea, 30 cardamom pods, 20 whole cloves, 4 anise stars, 1 tsp fennel seeds, 30 black peppercorns, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp marshmallow root, 3 pieces crystallized ginger root. Simmer on low in 4-5 cups of water for 5 minutes. Allow to steep 10 minutes, strain into cup and carafe, stir in soymilk creamer to taste.