#ChaayosMonsoon Heralds Experiments With Chaats...

At the heart of Dilli, lie two things - tea in monsoons and Connaught Place.

Dilli is well-known for two things - street food (lip-smacking चाट) and monuments.

What if these four come together for an amalgamation that woos the hearts of common folk every season?

Yes, I am referring to Chaayos - a brand that has been the focal point for its 'Experiments with Chai' every season - be it summer, monsoon, or winter - thanks to its concept of cyclic menus - that have something new to offer each time - be it with their beverages or snacks.

This time around, 'Experiments with Chai' has been revamped to 'Experiments with Chaats' as Chaayos has set foot (or should I say taste buds?) into the savory segment.

In the offing for #ChaayosMonsoon are new additions of four Chaats that prompted me to pay a visit to Chaayos' new home - in M Block, CP - which is their second after a quaint one in F Block, CP.

As a matter of fact, Chaayos M Block, CP is their largest outlet in Delhi, and the second largest in the country, only succeeded by one at Chhatrapati Shivaji Domestic Terminal in Vile Parle, Mumbai.

This particular outlet could as well be called a mini tea estate of sorts as it has alleys and arches leading to partitioned seating areas, love for tea and the capital city alike depicted through aesthetic wall art, and even a map of Delhi illustrated tastefully.

Not to forget that the outlet has donned a playful avatar with paper boats all over the place, to prompt patrons to ring in childhood memories associated with monsoons. :)

Life has only two T&C - Travel and Chai, and Chaayos as a brand is living up to both of them, one step at a time - by reaching cities across the nation with the rapid expansion of the cafe chain, and exploring the diversity that can be achieved on the plate as far as both tea and snacks are concerned.

Elucidating my experience of 'Experiments with Chaat', this #ChaayosMonsoon, here goes...

Egg White Chaat is the most चटपटा among the four, with the low-calorie, protein-rich element of egg - the whites - providing for a good relish especially when garnished with thinly sliced tomato chunks and onion - paired with the in-house mayonnaise sauce.

Bhelpuri is the quintessential street food that needs no introduction and has a personality of its own, thanks to puffed rice being paired with सेव, पापड़ी, onions, and tomatoes - the entire presentation is complemented by a dash of lime.  At Chaayos too, the Bhelpuri Chaat is unmistakably appetizing.

Chicken Keema Papdi Chaat is hard to miss out on, thanks to its intriguing presentation of chunks of
पापड़ी being layered with minced chicken, the red and pink hues, and mint garnish. As far as the flavor is concerned, the zest and tang embody what 'Dilli Ki Chaat' should be like.

Samosa Matar Chaat is the most elaborate of all, owing to the fact that a true-blue Delhi-6 style समोसा paired with मटर, interspersed with a spread of पापड़ी chunks, tamarind chutney, चाट मसाला, and a hearty dash of lime comes across as a delight to the eyes and the tummy, all at the same time.

It's a tough task to pick favorites among the 'Experiments with Chaat' that #ChaayosMonsoon brings forth, only made tougher by the meme-driven 'चाय पी लो' that has taken social networks by storm, on which Chaayos hasn't failed to take a quip too.

On the whole, I had a hearty time with #ChaayosMonsoon this time around, and I am sure that the new menu would be successful to fuel another home run for one of the most loved tea chains across Delhi that Chaayos continues to be. :)

The Return Of #ChaayosWinter...

Chaayos has been a favorite for all things चाय and नाश्ता, so much so that I find myself heading there whenever hunger pangs hit to be satiated by the most loved beverage and thoughtfully curated quick bites.

As has been the (delightful) case with Chaayos, their Seasonal Menus always bring something new to the table in terms of filling meals that are perfect for teatime.

This time was no different as #ChaayosWinter has made a stellar comeback, and is, in my opinion, their best to date.

The गुड़ वाली चाय had been the most well-received last season and has been retained this time around too, owing to the healthier alternative that is Jaggery.

Apart from that their are eight new additions across four categories - Meals, नाश्ता, Chai-Unchai, and मीठा.

It's hard for me to choose an absolute favorite this time around, as these folks have hit the home run with the flavorful line-up. Nevertheless, here are all the new additions that have been made to the Menu on account of #ChaayosWinter.

Meals: 

Chicken Keema Loaded Open Parantha is a first cousin to the Loaded Open Paranthas that first made their debut in #ChaayosMonsoon and is a cheesy, flaky thin crust delight with an Indian touch to it.

Kulhad Butter Chicken Kulcha has me most impressed because of the fact that there is a marked improvement from their Kulhad Masala Chicken Kulcha which was a bit too high on the 'Scoville Scale'. Of course, the Kulcha still sports a couple of chili flakes but those are bearable alright, while the Butter Chicken morsels are to be relished.

नाश्ता:

Paneer Bhurji Bun could have been more like 'Mom's Paneer Bhurji Bun' with the home-like preparation tossed subtly with greens and reds layered on open buns.

Cutlets make a debut at Chaayos this Winter, with the meat variants - both Chicken and Mutton - grilled to crispiness.

With a flavorful filling paired with tangy dips on the side complementing the snacks, it is a nice addition to the culinary experimentation that Chaayos has been adept at.

Chai-Unchai: 

The newest kid on the block in this section is the heart-warming brew of Tulsi Green Tea. Apt to be paired with their मीठा or taken on its own, it is quite an authentic preparation at Chaayos.

मीठा: 

While #ChaayosMonsoon was about incorporating Indian-ness into the Menu with Kulhad Jalebi, #ChaayosWinter has to be all about cakes, because, Christmas is round the corner too.

The subtlety of flavors is evident this time around with the Banana Walnut and Moist Chocolate Cakes.

While the Moist Chocolate Cake is a spongy muffin delight, the Banana Walnut Cake steals the show with the crunch of nuts and balance of sweet and nutty.

#ChaayosWinter has been around for sometime now, and shall be on the continuum but if you have not savored the latest menu, you're in for a pleasant surprise when you visit Chaayos next, and I would say you should do that soon! :)

There's A #MateInMyLife...

‘Mate’ means friendship - sharing and connecting with oneself and others.

Last week was all about creating relations through common taste as Argentine ‘Yerba Maté Tea’ took its first step into the Indian tea market with a cozy unveiling of the path-breaking product and Argentina's National Beverage at the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in association with Instituto Nacional de la Yerba Maté (INYM Argentina).

With the agenda of opening its route to the Indian tea market by means of popularizing the benefits and scientific significance of the Argentine Tea, INYM has made its way to India, especially to the Capital City Delhi, and Financial Capital Mumbai.

In accordance with the same, The Residence of the Embassy of Argentina in Delhi and Consulate General of Mumbai recently hosted a high tea event with INYM officials, tea sommeliers, and bloggers in attendance.

The one bonding factor common to both Argentines and Indians is their love for Tea. INYM realizes that like the people in Argentina, households in India find a connect with leafy concoction and it endorses the therapeutic effects of the tea, also dubbed as the drink of the Guarani Indians.

Describing the beneficial qualities of Yerba Mate, Jerónimo Lagier, Director, INYM said,

“With a higher count of antioxidants, it is a greener version of the healthy Green Tea, which increases one’s immunity and also satisfies the taste buds - with the Indian blends such as Ginger, Cardamom, Tulsi, Ginger, Honey and Green Tea. Our purpose in India is to cement our relationship through this drink as we know that India also consists of a large demographic of tea drinkers.”

Tea Sommelier Anamika Singh speaking about Yerba Maté

In a bid to raise a toast to Indian herbs and Yerba Maté Tea for its health-enhancing effects, a curtain raiser for the much-loved concoction back in Argentina was held at the event as Argentine tea culture is influenced by local varieties and customs. The country is a major producer of tea (Camellia sinensis) but is best known for the cultivation made with the leaves of the local Yerba maté plant.

Yerba Maté Tea is not only a delicious drink but also has ingredients that boost the body’s defenses. Often considered as a ‘Greener Green Tea’, Yerba Mate traces back to the late 14^th Century and is known as ‘The Gift of the Gods.’

Yerba Maté plant contains life-sustaining vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll that is directly assimilated by the human body which, when combined provides with essential elements for good nutrition and shields against ailments such as Cancer, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure.

The benefits of Yerba Maté Tea were made known through an insightful two-minute video.

Maté Tea was served to guests in traditional ‘Gourds’ which involves drinking Yerba Maté through a Bombilla Straw as per Argentine custom, and the conclusion to the event was marked by an elaborate Tango performance.

#TraditionalRecipes: It's Tea Time, Mama!

A startup By The Parents For The Parents which exists to solve seemingly little problems of young parents by providing certified toxin free, international standard products under the First MadeSafe Certified brand in Asia. That's what MamaEarth is all about.

MamaEarth is the brainchild of Ghazal and Varun who were, on the birth of their baby, bothered by the reality that due to lack of any regulations most products across categories available in India for babies were not safe.

With the aim of making products which are mum-baby friendly, toxin-free, meet stringent international standards, MamaEarth was born.

I was recently introduced to MamaEarth by a colleague who is a new mother and the fact that the brand has ventured into #TraditionalRecipes with the introduction of Herb Infused Teas and Apple Cider Vinegar.

All of the products introduced as 'Traditional Recipes' on the occasion of National Nutrition Week can be used by mothers (Mama's Milk Tea for lactating mothers) and all adults.

Herbal teas are a convenient way to up one's fluid intake and settle for some extra nutrients on the side. Herbal teas have become quite popular as their possession of medicinal benefits has come to light.

Make that 'Herbal Tea', in particular

Hence I decided to go ahead and try out the two Herb Infused Teas - namely Feel Better Tea and Stress Relief Tea - priced at an economical ₹599 each.

Both the teas are marketed in boxes containing 30 sachets of tea dips.

Also, there were some cautions before use mentioned on the lids of both boxes.

While the Feel Better Tea provides for better digestion and immunity, the Stress Relief Tea does just what its name suggests.

The Feel Better Tea has numerous herbs going into its making, each with its unique advantages, thus boosting a parent's immunity over time.

• Nettle leaf is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant that is a strong anti-oxidant and thus purifies the blood stream and cleanses skin pores. It also is a relief for an upset stomach.
• Ginger aids in digestion while countering nausea. It is the best bet when seeking respite from a bacterial imbalance in the gut.
• Mint provides active defenses from a common cough and cold and can also help soothe menstrual cramps.
• Chamomile is a relaxant that helps sleep better, builds immunity. 

As for the Stress Relief Tea, it promotes relaxation and reduces tension and fatigue, thanks to some chosen natural agents working for the cause.

• Sarsaparilla root, thanks to its saponins, sterols, and antioxidants, has been known to ease fatigue and enhance immunity. It also acts as a natural blood cleanser.
• Cinnamon bark is one of the powerful natural antioxidants available and has been known for its amazing medicinal properties. Apart from relieving stress, cinnamon, being a versatile spice, is a super-spice as it possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, immunity-boosting, cancer and heart disease protecting qualities.
• Eucalyptus oil acts an instant stress reliever and can also enhance brain wave activity as it reduces mental fatigue and relieves muscle and joint pain. Apart from that, it can keep heart diseases at bay as it reduces inflammation in blood vessels. 

I tried both the teas for myself and felt relaxed on multiple levels. With their #TraditionalRecipes, MamaEarth is sure set to attract a lot of new parents looking to reinstate their immunity and bid adieu to stress. :)

#ChaayosMonsoon Is Here To Delight!

Monsoons are somewhat Delhi's favorite when it comes to the F&B industry. Well, of course, the trend of introducing new additions to menus across our favorite eateries has caught pace, as most of them roll out a special menu for the season at this time of the year.

However, Chaayos has been a pro at innovating their culinary presentations and going with the flow so as to say, by launching seasonal menus every now and then, be it at the onset of Summer, Winter, or now, Monsoon.

Certainly, it was #ChaayosMonsoon that caught my fancy this time and I decided to pay them a visit. As always, there was their mascot and anecdotes relating to the beverage around the outlet.

This time around there are nine additions across five categories, namely Meals, Naashta, Sandwiches, Indian Chai and Desserts.

Here's what is special about each of the new introductions into the Menu with #ChaayosMonsoon.

Meals: 

Loaded Open Paranthas are Chaayos take to drive Pizzas out of the league by resting the onus on Malabar Paranthas. A (thin crust) Parantha layered with melted cheese and their respective topping (coming in two variants) is what Loaded Open Paranthas are about.

Paneer LOP

Chicken LOP

Kulhad Masala Chicken Kulcha, much like its cousins, Kulhad Pav Bhaji and Kulhad Matar Kulcha in the Winter Menu and Summer Menu respectively, is a spicy delight, with the soft Kulcha and the Chicken Masala, both sporting red chili flakes.

Naashta: 

Baarish Wale Pakore features a slight change from their signature Pakora Basket wherein Onion, Paneer, and Mirchi Pakoras have made their way in, while the Methi and Alu Pakoras have been discontinued. As always, this one is served with mint dip. Sprinkled with red chili, this one balances the sweetness of the Shahi Chai.

Bun Samosa features one full Samosa sandwiched between two buns, with some crunchy nuts, tamarind, and mint dip to go along.

Sandwich:

Kadahi Chicken Sandwich had ample chicken chunks and went well with the in-house mayonnaise dip.

Indian Chai: 

Shahi Chai is the newest entrant in this section and has been aptly named, owing to the ample use of Saffron and Almonds, both of which are premium ingredients. Love, at first sight, is how I would explain my tryst with the Shahi Chai. Also, there is a certain thickness imparted in its consistency owing to its preparation that sets it apart from all other teas prepared at Chaayos.

Dessert: 

Kulhad Jalebi is the Indian addition to the section that defines decadence and was dominated by English cakes in the past. Patrons can have a delightful time gorging on these thin and crispy delights.

All in all, #ChaayosMonsoon is a delight to savor. :)