Mumbai is known for its rich culture of street food with Vada Pav being its more famous offering. But not much is spoken about the different types of teas available on the roads of this city. One might feel all roadside teas might taste the same but that is far from the truth.
Mumbai’s streets offer wide varieties of teas and they all vary in terms of the taste, ingredients, ambience and experience. If there is something like tea versatility, it’s in Mumbai.
Here are 5 different types of teas you can find in the city:
Cutting chai
People who have been living in Mumbai need no introduction to the city’s special cutting chai. But for the uninitiated, ‘Cutting chai’ is the measurement for tea which is not too much or too less. You will find countless tea stalls or tapris, as they are locally called, in every nook and corner of the city serving tea in such quantities in small or medium-sized glasses.
Their tea is strong with ginger or elaichi or both. You may find stalls putting only ginger but you will seldom find a stall that puts only elaichi. On days you are tired with too much running around in the city, one or two quantities of cutting chai can work wonders. If you don’t like your tea to be strong, there are other options below.
Price: Rs 6 or 7
Nagori tea
Around 6-7 years ago, Nagori brand of tea stalls slowly started cropping up in the city. An expert told me that they are mostly Muslims from Hyderabad who have settled here to sell tea. Slowly, they have broadened their reach in the city.
Their tea is for those who prefer tea with more milk [paani kum, as it is called here]. What makes their tea special is the generous amounts of elaichi they put. Nagori is also for those who can’t have ginger tea at normal tapris because of acidity issues.
Price: Rs 8
Sophisticated tea stalls
Over the last few years, unique tea stalls like Saiba Amrutalay have emerged not only in Mumbai but also in other places in Maharashtra. Another recent name is Premacha Chaha. They all have specific hygienic interiors and they serve teas in those white cups [it’s difficult to fit your finger in their handles but that’s okay].
Their tea is delicious to say the least. They only add elaichi. But they are different from Nagori as they don’t make their tea too milky. Unlike other stalls, one is required to take coupons here.
Price: Rs 10
Copper tea
This entry will be a surprise even for most Mumbaikars. A tea stall in Dadar (west) serves tea made in copper vessels. You might feel, what’s so special in this? Well, making the tea in copper gives it a different taste altogether. This is exactly the reason why they don’t add any masala, elaichi, ginger or anything because there is just no need. Plus, having any food cooked in copper also has health benefits.
The stall is called Ambaji Tea Stall and it’s on Gokhale Road (north).
Price: Rs 10 for cutting and Rs20 for full
Irani cafés
The Irani Hotels, as they are called, don’t exactly fall in the roadside category. But we have included them since their quality of tea and their target audience is the same. These cafes are simple with their retro-styled interiors and sitting arrangements that bring back memories of the old, uncomplicated Bombay.
The tea served here is not strong but impressive enough to satisfy a tea lover. And if you are not calorie-conscious, you should try the combination of their tea with Bun Muska [big bread with loads of butter]. They also serve ‘Paani kum chai,’ which translates to tea with very little water and more milk.
Price: Rs 20
By: Keyur Seta
