Tea is a beverage that connects people, times, and emotions; it has a universal quality. Tea tells tales from the icy steppes of Russia to the foggy hills of Darjeeling. It discusses comfort, climates, and cultures. India may be the home of chai, but every region of the world has its own special, fragrant, and traditional chai.

Let's explore ten remarkable teas that demonstrate the exquisite diversity of this understated beverage as we embark on a flavorful journey through India and beyond.

1. Masala Chai — India’s Aromatic Elixir

No tea journey begins without Masala Chai — India’s most beloved brew, a comforting concoction that’s both everyday ritual and pure indulgence. 

Ingredients for Masala Chai:

• 1½ cups water
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 tsp black tea leaves (Assam preferred)
• 2–3 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• Sugar to taste

Method for Masala Chai:

1. Boil water with spices and ginger for 2–3 minutes.
2. Add tea leaves and simmer.
3. Pour in milk and sugar; let it bubble till aromatic.
4. Strain and serve Masala Chai hot — rich, spiced, and soul-warming.

A sip of Masala Chai feels like home, no matter where you are.

2. Kashmiri Kahwa — Saffron Serenity

Fragrant with saffron and almonds, Kashmiri Kahwa is a delicate green tea from the snow-covered valleys of Kashmir.

Ingredients for Kashmiri Kahwa:

• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp green tea leaves
• 3–4 green cardamoms
• A few strands of saffron
• 1 tsp honey
• Almond slivers

Method for Kashmiri Kahwa:

1. Boil water with cardamoms and saffron.
2. Add green tea leaves; let it steep for a minute.
3. Strain, pour into cups, and top with almonds and honey.
4. Enjoy Kashmiri Kahwa — golden, floral, and rejuvenating.

This brew captures the serenity of snow and the warmth of saffron.

3. Butter Tea — Ladakh’s Himalayan Fuel

Known locally as Gur Gur Cha, Butter Tea is a salty, buttery drink that keeps Ladakhis warm in the biting cold.

Ingredients for Butter Tea:

• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp tea leaves (black)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp butter (traditionally yak butter)
• A pinch of salt

Method for Butter Tea:

1. Boil tea leaves in water for 5 minutes.
2. Add milk and simmer.
3. Stir in butter and salt; churn until frothy.
4. Serve Butter Tea hot — creamy, salty, and deeply comforting.

It’s not your typical tea, but once you taste it, you’ll understand how Butter Tea powers life at high altitudes.

4. Noon Chai — The Pink Tea of Kashmir

A cousin of Kahwa, Noon Chai is a striking pink brew made with baking soda and milk. It’s savory, smooth, and stunning to look at.

Ingredients for Noon Chai:

• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp green tea leaves
• A pinch of baking soda
• 1 cup milk
• Salt to taste
• Crushed pistachios for garnish

Method for Noon Chai:

1. Boil water and tea leaves with baking soda until the color deepens.
2. Add milk and salt, simmer till it turns rosy pink.
3. Strain and serve Noon Chai with pistachios.

Its soothing warmth and pretty blush make Noon Chai an unforgettable winter companion.

5. Matcha — Japan’s Green Zen

The ritual of Matcha is about mindfulness — whisking, sipping, and savoring every note of this vivid green powder tea.

Ingredients for Matcha Tea:

• 1 tsp matcha powder
• ¾ cup hot (not boiling) water
• Optional: milk or sweetener

Method for Matcha Tea:

1. Sift matcha powder into a bowl.
2. Add a little water and whisk until frothy.
3. Pour the rest of the water and enjoy immediately.

Matcha Tea delivers grassy, umami-rich notes and a calm alertness — the essence of Japanese simplicity.

6. Moroccan Mint Tea — Sweet and Refreshing

A blend of gunpowder green tea, mint, and sugar, Moroccan Mint Tea is more than a beverage — it’s hospitality in a glass.

Ingredients for Moroccan Mint Tea:

• 2 tsp green tea
• A handful of fresh mint leaves
• 3 cups boiling water
• 2 tbsp sugar

Method for Moroccan Mint Tea:

1. Rinse tea leaves with hot water to remove bitterness.
2. Brew with fresh mint and sugar.
3. Pour from a height into glasses for a light froth.
4. Serve Moroccan Mint Tea warm — fragrant, sweet, and energizing.

In Morocco, this tea is a symbol of friendship and shared moments.

7. Chai Karak — Middle Eastern Boldness

Popular in Qatar and the UAE, Chai Karak is a strong, milky tea that packs intensity and creaminess in every sip.

Ingredients for Chai Karak:

• 1½ cups water
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 tsp black tea
• 2 cardamom pods
• Sugar or condensed milk to taste

Method for Chai Karak:

1. Boil water with tea and cardamom until dark and strong.
2. Add milk and simmer for a few minutes.
3. Strain and pour into small cups.

Chai Karak is what happens when Indian chai meets Arabic flair — bold, sweet, and irresistible.

8. Thai Iced Tea — Creamy Chill

Vibrant orange, creamy, and sweet, Thai Iced Tea is a tropical indulgence that cools the soul.

Ingredients for Thai Iced Tea:

• 2 black tea bags
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 tbsp condensed milk
• Ice cubes
• A splash of coconut milk (optional)

Method for Thai Iced Tea:

1. Steep tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes.
2. Sweeten with condensed milk.
3. Pour over ice, top with coconut milk.
4. Enjoy Thai Iced Tea — cool, velvety, and sunshine in a glass.

Perfect for warm days or when you crave a little sweetness with your tea.

9. Russian Samovar Tea — A Toast to Tradition

Brewed strong and diluted to taste, Russian Samovar Tea is all about ritual and warmth.

Ingredients for Russian Samovar Tea:

• 2 tsp black tea leaves
• 1 cup boiling water
• 3–4 cups hot water for dilution
• Lemon slices, sugar, or jam

Method for Russian Samovar Tea:

1. Brew a strong tea concentrate (called zavarka).
2. Pour a little concentrate into each cup, then add hot water.
3. Sweeten with sugar or jam and enjoy Russian Samovar Tea slowly, in good company.

It’s less about the tea and more about the pause it creates.

10. Rooibos Tea — Africa’s Red Treasure

Naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, Rooibos Tea from South Africa is earthy, nutty, and soothing.

Ingredients for Rooibos Tea:

• 1 tsp rooibos leaves
• 1 cup boiling water
• Honey or lemon (optional)

Method for Rooibos Tea:

1. Steep rooibos leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Strain and enjoy hot or cold with a hint of honey.

Rooibos Tea proves that calm can come in a cup of red.

A World in a Cup

From Masala Chai’s spiced comfort to Matcha’s meditative grace, and from Butter Tea’s rugged warmth to Thai Iced Tea’s tropical sweetness — every brew tells a story. Tea is more than a drink; it’s connection, culture, and comfort — steeped in history and poured across borders.

So, the next time you reach for your teacup, remember — you’re sipping on a world of traditions, one fragrant leaf at a time. Download Foodism today to explore more options.