Priyank Panchal, who calls himself a “complete tea person”, feels that “there can’t be a better way to start your day than having a refreshing cup of chai.” On International Tea Day, the cricketer talks to us about the kind of tea he prefers, why he can’t think of a day without having chai and more. Excerpts:
‘My mom makes amazing masala chai’
I prefer homemade tea and my mom makes amazing masala chai. These days, cafes are experimenting with different chai flavours, including trying out some international trends. I have tried a few of these but didn’t like them. I believe that nothing can beat Indian masala chai. I wake up at 5am and the first thing I do after I freshen up is to make chai for myself. That’s the best way to begin my day and the entire process feels meditative. I love green tea too. Earlier, I would carry a small electric stove while travelling and make tea at the hotel. But it’s too much of a hassle and I have stopped doing it. Now, I request chefs to prepare the kind of tea I want. Most of them are sweet and agree to do so.
‘I don’t add sugar in my tea, but ginger is a must’
I am very particular about my tea. I don’t add sugar in my tea because it isn’t healthy. I prefer adding a bit of honey or jaggery powder instead. Ginger is a must because it adds an amazing flavour to tea. Along with tea, I eat nuts, which are an integral part of my diet.
‘I read books during my morning tea session’
I am not someone who prefers to drink his tea quickly. I take my own sweet time and, in the morning, it’s also my me time. I either read books or journal for a bit while sipping chai. It’s also my time for some self-reflection. I think about the mistakes I have made and how I can get better. While reading, I love holding my cup even if I have finished drinking tea. It just makes me feel better. Our balcony is my favourite corner for having chai. Otherwise, I prefer open-air cafes and Kalna (his wife) and I have our favourite cafes in Ahmedabad. In the morning, I don’t like having chai in a closed space.
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