At the heart of every loving Indian home, is 'Chai'. Chai connects us to one another, in sad and happy times; in moments of celebrations and triumph. It has a deeper place in our hearts than we can understand.
This combo includes some of the finest of Zizira's gifts from the Northeast.
Classic Masala chai is a natural blend that will help you create the perfect cup of masala tea, without worrying about which spices or at what quantity to add them. These spices not only add aroma and taste to the chai, but they also help you deal with a common seasonal illness like cold, cough and sore throat.
This blend is a combination of amazing ingredients that are directly and traditionally sourced from our farmers. It consists of classic ingredients such as Black tea, lemongrass, bay leaf, ginger, and black pepper.
Black tea- Tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. It is one of the most loved beverages in the entire world. It is believed to have originated in China but around 80% of people from around the world consume it daily.
In ancient times, border trade between China, Tibet, and other neighbouring countries fermented tea, dried them and pressed them into bricks to be used as currency.
The difference between the different teas is the processing method. During the processing of black tea, it is fermented and oxidized. The oxidation level in the tea gives it its unique flavour and colour ranging from amber to dark brown with a savoury to sweet taste.
Black tea is rich in antioxidants known as polyphenols and catechins. The compounds that it contains are loaded with a wide range of health benefits. It is stronger, bolder, and more oxidized and thus more beneficial.
Black tea also has caffeine content in it which is around 42 mg in a single cup serving.
Lemongrass: Scientifically known as Cymbopogan citratus. It is also known as barbed wire grass, silky heads, cochin grass, Malabar grass. Lemongrass is an aromatic plant that yields aromatic oils. Its name is derived from the lemon-like odour shoots.
Due to its ability to reduce fever, it is also known as “fever grass”. It is one of the herbs to travel along the spice route from Asia to Europe. Lemongrass oil is known as Cochin oil since 90% of it is shipped from Cochin port.
Bay leaf: The Indian bay leaf is scientifically known as Cinnamomum tamala or tej patta in Hindi. Originated in the southern slopes of the Himalayas, they are also found growing in Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and the North-Eastern hills of India.
It is an endemic spice in most Indian cuisines from savoury to sweet dishes due to its distinctive fragrance and flavour. However, it is also well-known for the medicinal properties it possesses.
Presence of various nutrients and minerals such as Vitamin A and C along with folic acid (a type of vitamin B) makes it a highly beneficial herb. If the leaves are eaten whole, they are pungent and have a sharp bitter taste. Its fragrance is more noticeable than its taste which when dried, it gives out a herbal and slightly floral fragrance which is due to the presence of essential oils like Myrcene and Eugenol in it.
Ginger: Ginger is one of the healthiest spices in the world. Renowned for its taste elevating properties and is a must-have in Asian cooking. It is loaded with essential nutrients and bioactive components that have powerful benefits for the body.
People have been using ginger for cooking as well as medicines since ancient times. Unique fragrance and flavour of this spice come from its natural oils, gingerol. Gingerol is the main bioactive compound that is responsible for many of its medicinal properties. It provides powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and is a popular home remedy for nausea, stomach disorders and various other health issues.
Black pepper: Known as the king of spice as it is widely loved and extensively used by people all over the world. Black pepper’s signature aroma originates from the berries of the tropical Piper nigrum vine, one among the thousand species of the Piperaceae family.
Black pepper is more than just a kitchen staple but is used medicinally in ancient medicines. It has active component piperine which does all the magic!
It is responsible for all the health benefits that it provides and is also an essential component that enhances curcumin absorption and activates it up to 2,000%. It works by supporting the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system.
Our Classic Masala chai can last for twelve months if it is properly stored. The blend does not get spoilt, but it will start to lose its potency with time and will not flavour or show its benefits as intended when it exceeds the period of twelve months.
Here is a simple way to follow in order to keep this Classic Masala Chai fresh for a longer duration.
Store it away from direct sunlight, stoves, ovens, and do not keep it on the top of a refrigerator because the heat emitted from them causes the blend to lose its flavour and strength.
Natural honey that is directly collected from the dense forests of Mawsynram where the flora is in abundance. Our Mawsynram honey is provided to us by our partnered beekeeper, Kong Elvira who hails from Thieddieng village in Mawsynram.
The people in the village use traditional beehives to rear the bees. They make use of wooden logs called ‘Ksing’ where the bees reside. The bees are collected from the dense forests and are kept inside the ‘Ksing’ for a few months.
The beehives are checked from time to time to ensure that they are busy and working and that the surrounding area is clean and healthy.
Besides the traditional beehive or ‘Ksing’, boxes that are provided by the government are also used but they are not that durable so, Kong Elvira have constructed cement covers for the boxes that last them for many years.
There are a variety of flowers that grows in the forests that the bees love as they provide enough nectar to them. There is a flower known as “syntiew ngap” that the bees love to feed on during the summers. Apart from these flowers, there are also plenty of orange trees and chestnut trees around the forest that the bees love to collect their nectar from.
The colour and texture of the honey depend on different seasons, the pollen, and different flowers that the bees collect the honey from and also on the age of the honeycomb. Usually, the honey collected during the month of May is lighter in colour while the honey collected in November is thicker and has a more brownish-orange colour.
If your honey bottle is solidified or has a creamy texture. It means you are witnessing a natural process called “Crystallization” which is perfectly normal for raw and pure honey.
It is a natural and uncontrolled process that happens when the glucose (or sugar content) in honey loses water and takes the form of crystals which is due to change in temperature.
Other kinds of honey that are available in the market undergo a heating process known as pasteurization to maintain the consistency of the honey. This method can make it stay liquified for a long period, but it reduces the nutrients in it. So, observing a sign of crystallization in your honey indicates that it is not processed and is raw.
To turn your crystallized honey into liquid again, a gentle heat technique is followed.
1. Boil water in a container and remove it from the heat.
2. Place the jar of honey in it making sure the water does not reach the top of the jar.
3. The honey slowly liquefies. Repeat the process if the honey is still solidified.
4. The jar can also be kept under the sun until it liquefies.
Note: It is not recommended to microwave raw honey or to put it in direct heat as this may destroy some of its essential nutrients.
Mawsynram raw honey does not expire but the crystallization process can change the colour and taste of the honey which is a natural process that can easily be resolved.
Our Classic Masala Chai is known for its strong and pleasant flavours and this blend can be included in the daily diet because of the many benefits it has. It is a perfect tea blend that is a must-have in every household. This blend will transform your simple tea into a beautiful yet extremely beneficial healthy beverage.
The brownish-green powder is loaded with the goodness of natural ingredients that makes your tea rich and appealing. You will be delighted by the pleasant aroma it produces once you open the container and the aroma sizzles in the air and lingers in the mouth.
This amazing chai has a delicious flavorful taste and the feeling that accompanies with it is exceptionally satisfying.
A classic chai that can be enjoyed all the year-round and is a perfect drink to relish during a cold rainy day.
Our Mawsynram Honey has a beautiful golden-brown colour with a smooth and thick consistency. It is extremely flavorful with a mild citrus flavour filled with a refreshing aroma.
Classic Masala Chai is packed with components that are overloaded with medicinal bioactive compounds such as gingerol, piperine, and polyphenols that are beneficial in keeping our body healthy.
Our team travels to the most isolated and remote villages to source the best ingredients. This blend has been formulated by combining the goodness of natural ingredients possessing a milder yet delicious flavour that has been well chosen by our ethical farmers.
Zizira’s Mawsynram Honey is pure, natural, raw, and unprocessed. It has been tested free of artificial additives, colouring agents or preservative. Its colour & flavour depends directly on the source (various flowers) of the nectar.
Obtained from the traditional beekeepers of Meghalaya with years of indigenous knowledge, Zizira's pure Mawsynram Honey is obtained from sun-soaked pollens and nectar collected by bees during summers and winters.
The beekeepers plant the flowers that the bees love or place the hive in a habitat filled with a variety of flowers and trees. Hence the flavour of this honey comes from these flowers that grow naturally around the bee's nest.
Rainfall and micro-climate affect the flowers growing every season which gives the honey a unique identity.
Local folks from Meghalaya love this honey for its delightful taste and for its multiple all-around uses.
Our Classic Masala Chai has a wide variety of active components from the different ingredients. These ingredients also come with maximum health benefits. Some of its health benefits are as follows:
Our Classic Masala chai can be simply mixed in for a burst of aroma and flavour.
Here is a simple way to make it.