What is “chai”？
“chai”在印地语里是“茶”的意思，起初指的就是茶叶，是由“茶”的中文发音“cha”演变而来。茶叶进入印度之后，当地人结合自己的喜好，在茶叶中加入牛奶和各种香料，形成了一种独特的茶饮，也是印度人日常生活中必不可少的饮品。
现如今，尽管在一些国家的语言中“chai”仍然保留茶叶的意思。但在英文中通常作为 “masala chai”的简称，用来特指这种印度特色茶饮，也就是我们所说的“印度奶茶”，或者“香料茶”。
韦氏字典中也收录了这个单词，对chai的定义是：红茶中混合蜂蜜、香料和牛奶等制作而成的饮品。
贴心的小编给大家准备了中英双语版印度奶茶的简介。在了解异域茶饮风情的同时，也别忘记给自己的英文充充电哦~
Origin 起源
Legend has it that the origin of chai dates back more than 5,000 years, when a king in what is now India ordered a healing spiced beverage be created for use in Ayurveda, a traditional medicinal practice in which herbs and spices are used for healing.
据说，印度奶茶的起源可以追溯到5000多年前，当时的印度国王下令研制出一种香料饮品用于阿育吠陀疗法。这是印度的一种传统医学疗法，是将草药和香料作为药物用于治疗。
Ingredients 原料
Since the traditional chai can vary from town-to-town and family-to-family, there is no one recipe that defines chai. But the beverage typically consists of the following four ingredient categories:
传统印度奶茶每个小镇甚至每家每户的制作方法都不太相同，所以没有统一的标准配方。不过制作印度奶茶的原料主要分为以下四大类：tea、spice、milk、sweetener。
Tea 茶:
The Assam and Darjeeling black teas native to India are most popular to use as a chai base. But you’ll also find chai made with various types of teas like green tea.
印度本土的阿萨姆红茶和大吉岭红茶是最受欢迎的基底茶。不过也有用其他茶类做印度奶茶的基底茶，比如绿茶。
Spice 香料:
The spices, or “masala”, used in chai will vary by region, climate and cultural preference. Traditionally, cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and black peppercorns were dominant chai spices and all readily available in India. Vanilla, nutmeg, star anise or fennel seeds may also be seen in some traditional recipes. As chai moved west, bay leaf, allspice, cacao or saffron became popular additions.
印度奶茶的全称是“masala chai”,“masala”在印地语中是香料的意思。不同地区、气候条件和文化风俗都会影响人们对于香料的选择。传统的印度奶茶主要选用豆蔻、生姜、丁香、肉桂和黑胡椒粒来制作，这些都是印度国内可获取的香料。不过传统配方中可能也会出现香草、肉豆蔻、八角茴香或者茴香籽。印度奶茶传入西方国家后，在奶茶中加入月桂叶、多香果、可可、藏红花粉成为潮流。
Milk 奶:
Indian chai is often made with buffalo milk. But the more western version is typically made with cow’s milk or dairy alternatives, like soy, almond, rice and coconut milks.
印度奶茶主要用的是水牛奶，但是西化后的印度奶茶多用牛奶或者植物奶来替代，例如豆奶、杏仁奶、稻米奶和椰奶。
Sweetener 甜味剂:
White sugar, brown sugar and honey are typical chai sweeteners。
印度奶茶里最常添加的甜味剂有白砂糖、红糖和蜂蜜。
Flavor风味
The huge variation of chai recipes means the beverage can take on many different flavors depending on the ingredients used. Generally speaking, chai can be fragrant, creamy, sweet and spicy with a strong flavor.
印度奶茶有很多重的配方。不同配方选用的原料不同，味道自然也就不同。总体来看，印度奶茶味道芳香、口感顺滑、甘甜、辛辣、滋味浓郁。
文 Jennifer
编辑 yan
作者：Jennifer 来源：ACCTM国际茶文化
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