The cup that warm — Ines Peyret

On this glorious day of International Tea Day, rejoice and, with intense emotion, contemplate your piping hot cup – the first of the day. Shed a tear of happiness and enjoy the drink of the Gods to the last drop. Don’t forget to thank good old Emperor Shen Nong – aka the Divine Labourer – from the bottom of your heart. The dear boy never could have guessed what brilliant career these lovely little leaves were going to have after accidentally falling into his pot of boiling water. Had his imperial taste buds not collided with the divine brew over 5000 years ago, you would be deprived of the intense pleasure of savouring your beloved beverage and relishing the feeling of well-being it provides.

According to an old saying, there is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. Even the winter season, with shorter days and temperatures dropping that leave you feeling sluggish and shivering, doesn’t feel so bad with a nice cuppa.

All warm drinks create a snug comfortable feeling that shelters you from the harsh bitter cold outside. An American study showed that just holding a hot drink, warmed the participants up. Hardly surprising! But the big news is that it also made them friendlier, more sympathetic.

According to another clinical trial, hot drinks are more beneficial than cold ones in case of colds, flu and other respiratory issues. Especially tea, which soothes the throat and warms the body on chilly winter days. It blasts away the winter blues, picks you up when you are down, invigorates you and helps you relax. Research findings report that drinking five cups of black tea a day for a month, revs up the body’s natural resistance to infection. Operating in turbo mode with tea, the immune system yields four times more power against unwanted viruses and bacteria. How about that?

To chase the chills away, titillate your taste buds and stimulate your defences, nothing beats a good old masala chai.

Since there are as many recipes as cooks, you’ll have to find the one that’s right for you. We give you Sibi’s signature blend. Our spice guru extraordinaire recommends mixing 2 teaspoons of your favourite black tea with the seeds 2 green cardamom pods, 1/8th teaspoon black peppercorn, 1/8th teaspoon grated nutmeg, ¼ cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, ½ cm slice fresh ginger, 1 star aniseed flower and a pinch vanilla. This amazing combination of flavour and energy is sparkling with health benefits. Your masala chai warms you inside and out, boosts your circulation, which slows down when it’s cold, and helps your body keep the right temperature.

So, put the kettle on, get your best tea pot, warm it up, delicately deposit the spices in it, fill it with boiling water and seep for four minutes. If you want pukka masala chai, boil your tea mixture in a saucepan with half milk and half water.