IRANI CHAI
 Remember one of those days when you were
really low in your spirits… When you were on a lookout for a happy evening with all
your tensions laid back and just relax sipping a cup of Hot Tea… this exactly is when
any Hyderabadi is reminded of the age old Irani chai.
If one were to throw a comparison between
the Hyderbadis and Americans, then Irani chai would immediately take the place of coke.
With the Irani cafes put up literally in every other bylane of the city, Irani chai has
time since been the favourite drink of Hyderabadis both the rich and poor alike.
Meeting over a cup of
Irani chai is almost a part and parcel of the daily routine for the fun loving youth,
middle class businessmen and not to forget the gray haired elderly of Hyderabad. Got any
doubt… Ask any Hyderabadi and he would vouch for it!
 Did I hear you
ask what is so special about it? Although the additives, which comprise of milk powder,
milkmaid, chocolate, biscuit flavour, lemon slices, Elaichi (Cinnamon) and Adrak
(Ginger), etc. are just anybody’s guess, the special taste can be attributed to the
special treatment of the ingredients that is native to the Persians. The Persian black tea
has however been modified to Indian tastes by adding generous measures of thick milk.
The chai is always sweetish in taste and
for some reason only the Assam tealeaves are generally made use of. Hafim, the tea with
opium was said to be served to the public to get them addicted, which no longer is the
case now. Irani chai in a wide range of flavours like Pauna, Masala Chai, Kashmiri tea,
Golden tea, Special tea, etc. is served with a plate full of the bow shaped tie biscuits
and the salty Osmania biscuits.
Now, what else? Cups of piping hot chai
served with a plate full of Osmania Biscuits and of course the much cozy ambience provided
with at the Irani cafes… Kya sukoon ki jindagi hai! If you are to give it a
try, just drop in at one of these places –
- Madina near Charminar
- Garden in Secunderabad
- Cosmopolitan in Narayanguda
 Olympia in
Abids- Bombay Bakery in Abids
- Grand in Abids
- Embassy in Basheerbagh
- Paradise in Secunderabad
- Alpha in Secunderabad
However the Persian native Black tea, the
Ghava Chai as it is referred to is available at places like Barkas and King Koti.
With inflation at its best, the price of
Irani Chai, which was sold at 25 paise per cup in late seventies, 40 paise in early
eighties, has gone up to the present Rs.2.50/- per cup. Pauna, a tea that is rich in milk,
is however offered at a higher price.
But, for the Chai, the
thirst is just unsatiating. Who knows the count of those software professionals out there
in US, who are at this moment longing for the taste!
All said and done, Irani Chai is to stay in Hyderabad, and it gives us a unique identity
of our own… Our own "Ishtyle" you see... Chalo
boss, isi khushi mein chai hojaye! |
