Meet Johnny.
His real name is Rattan, but people on his street call him all kinds of names, like Jimmy, Timmy and many others. Johnny lives in Udiapur and his dad owns a chai shop by the lake. It is not really a shop but a chai making station on wheels that has a little charcoal oven, a hand blowing fan and not much else besides some cups and chai ingredients.
Johnny is very friendly and easy going. He immediately became friends with us. Every day we would go to his chai shop, drink some chai and then go swimming in the lake with him. He was so friendly that on the second day after we met he invited my family to go to his house and have chapatis with him and his family. One thing about Johnny: he is also a trickster and cheated while we played cards. But he is already an accomplished chai maker! At 15 he can already support himself as in India men drink chai five or more times a day! One cup costs 10 rupiah which is 17 cents.
Johnny taught me how to make chai. It is very easy and you can try at home!
Chai Masala
1 cup milk
1 cup of water
1 small piece of ginger
10 black pepper pods
1 green cardamon
2 cloves
1 small piece of cinnamon bark
- Mix the water and the milk in a small pot and bring to boil. Keep on fire.
- Crush all spices in a pestle. Mix the spices with the boiling milk.
- Add 1 tbsp of black tea
- Add 2 tsp of sugar (or more if you prefer sweet)
Boil for 5 min and then run through a sifter. Serve hot and enjoy!
