Many years ago in a Delhi tearoom I discovered my love of Assam tea. I’d been travelling around India for a few months, drinking chai - which I loved but i was longing for a regular cup of tea. I’ve never forgotten how incredibly good that cup of Assam was and today it is still my favourite tea. Thanks for the interesting history of India’s tea habits. Much enjoyed!
This is fascinating! I've had so many afternoon teas and knew of the phrase high tea, but never thought about the difference or that it might have working class origins. Lovely that it continues today as a way of bringing families together informally in that slightly odd time between the end of the day and the start of the evening. Thank you!
I see that you have interest in food and how it influences and shapes culture.
Let me take the liberty of suggesting two books, which I found very interesting. I don't know if you have read the books though.
The first is The Hungry Empire by Lizzie Collingham and the other is Calcutta On Your Palate by Nilasree Biswas.
Both these books are very interesting and informative. And I'm sure you will also enjoy reading them.
Incidentally, I also wrote on food, "Why does the Calcutta version of the famous Mughalai delicacy, the Biriyani have potatos, unlike other versions". You may find it in my post archive. If you read it, let me know your opinion.
Yes! I do love food history. I have been exploring it for quite some time now. I started with K T Acharya for basics. I have Lizzie Collingham's books. Not The Hungry Empire though. I will check it out soon. Thank you for recommending! I will check N.Biswas's work as well.
I am currently trying to research on food habits of eastern Himalayan people. If you could recommend something, I will be grateful :)
And could you please share the link to your post on chat? I would love to read it
Here is another book on food you may look up, Digesting India by Zac O'Yeah. This guy is self proclaimed glutton and this book is his gastronomic tribute to Indian foodscape. I'm sure you will like this book as well. Let me know your opinion after you read these books.
And, thanks that you wanted to read my post on food. Here is the link to the post -
This is rather interesting. In my country it has s similar effect and we do sort of have a tradition but each household does it in their own unique way
Rashmi is my spiritual name, given by my Guru in 1986 in India. I write about it in this post if you'd like to read it. This name has great significance for me. Thanks for asking, Moloya. Have a great week.
High tea is great. We actually do something similar whenever we have visitors drop by in the afternoon on weekends. But these days coffee over tea seems to be the preference for most people. But a well made tea with accompanying snacks is really refreshing. Thanks for this little overview and history lesson.
Loved reading this post. I lived for 30 years in India and now living in the UK, while I savour my Chai I often get a chance to experience their high tea tradition. I love drawing parallels between traditions and cultures, and its amazing the underlying need for them remains the same... people, relationships, conversations, a little gossip, smiles and laughter. Our need to escape from mundane life , steal a moment and just be with our kind! (we are so much social beings !!). Betwn , I loooved the name of your Substack ..there is a certain warm nostalgia in that :) .
Many years ago in a Delhi tearoom I discovered my love of Assam tea. I’d been travelling around India for a few months, drinking chai - which I loved but i was longing for a regular cup of tea. I’ve never forgotten how incredibly good that cup of Assam was and today it is still my favourite tea. Thanks for the interesting history of India’s tea habits. Much enjoyed!
I am so glad you liked Assam tea! Thank you for reading this. :")
Loved reading this!!
I’m not a chai lover😅
But that time in the evening is pure nostalgia.
Sadly, I live alone in a different city. So, we can’t cherish those blissful evenings together anymore.
This was very informative.
Thanks ♥️
This is fascinating! I've had so many afternoon teas and knew of the phrase high tea, but never thought about the difference or that it might have working class origins. Lovely that it continues today as a way of bringing families together informally in that slightly odd time between the end of the day and the start of the evening. Thank you!
Thank You for reading! You have such a lovely name 🥺
Tea at about five is on my daily schedule. With a sandwich, some cake or biscuits, it’s every day tradition for me. Very good.
That's great!
This is so evocative and moving! Well done. 💙
Thank you so much :")
A good read.
I see that you have interest in food and how it influences and shapes culture.
Let me take the liberty of suggesting two books, which I found very interesting. I don't know if you have read the books though.
The first is The Hungry Empire by Lizzie Collingham and the other is Calcutta On Your Palate by Nilasree Biswas.
Both these books are very interesting and informative. And I'm sure you will also enjoy reading them.
Incidentally, I also wrote on food, "Why does the Calcutta version of the famous Mughalai delicacy, the Biriyani have potatos, unlike other versions". You may find it in my post archive. If you read it, let me know your opinion.
Thanks.
Hello,
Yes! I do love food history. I have been exploring it for quite some time now. I started with K T Acharya for basics. I have Lizzie Collingham's books. Not The Hungry Empire though. I will check it out soon. Thank you for recommending! I will check N.Biswas's work as well.
I am currently trying to research on food habits of eastern Himalayan people. If you could recommend something, I will be grateful :)
And could you please share the link to your post on chat? I would love to read it
Hi,
Here is another book on food you may look up, Digesting India by Zac O'Yeah. This guy is self proclaimed glutton and this book is his gastronomic tribute to Indian foodscape. I'm sure you will like this book as well. Let me know your opinion after you read these books.
And, thanks that you wanted to read my post on food. Here is the link to the post -
https://open.substack.com/pub/barun/p/why-the-calcutta-version-of-the-famous?r=7y8l8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks.
This is rather interesting. In my country it has s similar effect and we do sort of have a tradition but each household does it in their own unique way
That's interesting! What are these unique traditions? Could you tell me more?
Oh just a similar thing as the evening chai, just not as formal i guess or strictly adhered to
Interesting article, Moloya. I am a great fan of Indian chai, which is the most delicious drink at any time in my opinion.
Aah thank You. I find your name so intriguing. Rashmi is an Indian name and its quite common in Assam as well!
Rashmi is my spiritual name, given by my Guru in 1986 in India. I write about it in this post if you'd like to read it. This name has great significance for me. Thanks for asking, Moloya. Have a great week.
https://josierashmismith.substack.com/p/reflections-on-light?r=3bwqrg
Oooh bookmarked
High tea is great. We actually do something similar whenever we have visitors drop by in the afternoon on weekends. But these days coffee over tea seems to be the preference for most people. But a well made tea with accompanying snacks is really refreshing. Thanks for this little overview and history lesson.
Thank you for reading and sharing about your tradition as well!
Loved reading this post. I lived for 30 years in India and now living in the UK, while I savour my Chai I often get a chance to experience their high tea tradition. I love drawing parallels between traditions and cultures, and its amazing the underlying need for them remains the same... people, relationships, conversations, a little gossip, smiles and laughter. Our need to escape from mundane life , steal a moment and just be with our kind! (we are so much social beings !!). Betwn , I loooved the name of your Substack ..there is a certain warm nostalgia in that :) .