Fragrant Masala Chai
Satya Chai Lounge - 515 Sandringham Rd, Sandringham, Auckland 1025
I went to India last year and it sparked my insane love for curries. I had always enjoyed curries but had not really tried all the amazing vibrant flavours that they have on offer.
One of my favourite things that I tried in India was the masala chai. Now I am not talking about the syrup stuff you get from normal cafes. Tbh I don’t know how they can even call it chai as there is no similarity to the real chai.
Chai in India is everywhere you drink it no matter what time of the day. Most of the time it’s the Indian men sitting in little alleys or sides of the road drinking this fragrant drink gossiping about what is happening in the neighbourhood.
The Indians drink it with milk and sugar so it can be quite sweet.
I have taken to making my own chai at home and I have it black, this tea is so good I have even managed to get my partner to love it. Which is no mean feat, as he is a black coffee only drinker.
Right so all India restaurants will make you a decent chai, but the one I love the most is Satya chai lounge, located in Sandringham, down a funny little door way. The alley down is dark and covered in hanging tin cans. It brings me straight back to India, the only thing missing is the heat.
The atmosphere is wonderful, wooden benches and boxes to sit on. Always busy beautiful smells of spices cooking in the kitchen.
This little cafe offers a range of cocktails and snacks but for me the two things to go for is the chai, it’s amazing with sweet spices. Great to slowly sip on while people watching and enjoying chatting with your friends.
While sipping on your chai make sure you get a plate of dahi puri. Slightly spicy wafers with potato’s yogurt and tamarind sauce. You get a plate of four for $8 and they go so incredibly well with the chai.
While in the cafe you can even go in to their store room/kitchen and shop for their spices. What more could you want?