Coffee's great, but nothing can really beat the aroma of freshly made chai. Okay by now you've probably sensed how much of a chai-addict I am and how biased this article is but well, nothing like some great and authentic tea to keep you going. Also, please note how much more healthy tea as a beverage is. On that note, allow me to introduce you to Matson, a brand having it's footprints in Kashmir but spreading it's wings all over the country and beyond, with it's flavorful organic teas. Read on, chaivinists, we bet you'll thank us later!
Matson sources it's green tea leaves from the finest tea estates in India and has been selling tea in Kashmir since 1968. You can start your morning with their Assam black tea or the Earl Grey tea, or make your tea-time more interesting with some Chocolate tea, which is infused with some roasted cocoa shells and powder. Now this tea isn't just a treat for the sore taste buds but also improves your blood flow to the brain, reduces blood pressure, acts as an antioxidant, and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Another bestseller at Matson is the Kashmiri Noon Chai. Noon Chai, also known as Sheer Chai, or Gulaabi Chai, is a Traditional Tea Beverage, originating from the Indian Subcontinent, most probably from the Kashmir valley, that's made with gunpowder tea (green tea leaves rolled in the shape of gun powder), milk and baking soda. Noon chai is usually cooked in a samovar, a metal container that's used to heat and boil water.
Matson also sells the special Kahwa tea, which is an exotic chai with a mix of Green tea leaves, whole spices, nuts, and Kashmiri saffron. There are distinct types of Kahwa tea depending on the combination of ingredients used but an ideal Kashmiri Kahwa tea contains saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves along with one or two dried fruits such as cherries, apples, raisins, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts, dried apricots or even dates. We've tried all of their tea leaves and if brewed to perfection, your tea will be heaven in a cup. So shop from them soon and make your chai experience a special one!
