Irani chai
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Strong tea brewed separately and mixed with thick, sweetened milk, served in Hyderabad's Irani cafés with Osmania biscuits.
Region: Hyderabad, TelanganaOccasion: All day, every dayTime: 40 minServes: 4Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 3 tbsp strong black tea leaves (CTC)
- 2 cups full-cream milk
- 2 tbsp khoa (mawa), or 2 tbsp milk powder
- 4 tbsp sugar
Method
- Boil the water with the tea leaves, then simmer on very low heat, covered, for 15–20 minutes to make a strong decoction. Strain.
- Separately simmer the milk with the sugar, stirring often, until it reduces a little and thickens. Crumble in the khoa and stir until smooth.
- Pour about ⅓ cup of decoction into each cup.
- Top up with the hot, thickened milk and stir.
- Serve with Osmania biscuits.
History
Irani cafés were opened in Hyderabad by immigrants from Iran, and their way of brewing tea and milk separately became part of city life.
Significance
Irani cafés, with their chai and Osmania biscuits, are meeting places for students, workers and friends across Hyderabad.