Unique Serving Platter

Chai is a popular Indian recipe that is basically a spiced black tea. The recipes for chai vary considerably, but most of them use some combination of cardamom, cloves, ginger, peppercorn, curry, cumin seeds, lemon grass and rampe leaves. The result is a very unique and stimulating flavor. Today, chai recipes are extremely popular in India and Sri Lanka, far more popular even than coffee is in the United States. The most popular version in India is called ‘massala chai’. It has recently began to rise in popularity in western cultures as well, providing an alternative to coffee other than the English style teas westerners have grown accustomed to.

The word ‘chai’ actually just means tea in Hindi, and several other eastern languages. The ‘cha’ root of chai appears in many languages around the world for the word tea, including Portuguese. ‘Massala’ means spice in Hindi, so massala chai to Indians simply means ‘spiced tea’.

It is unknown where the recipe originates from exactly, and when it became popular. Because of its widespread use in India, it most likely was first developed in that region of the world. Evidence seems to suggest that it became popular during the English colonial period of India’s history when the British were exporting most of India’s tea for their own use or sale leaving behind only the poorest quality tea. The chai recipe may have developed as a way to cover the poor flavor of the low quality tea that was available to natives in that time period.

Today there is no lack for quality tea in India or anywhere else, and chai is often made with some of the best black teas in the world. A strong tea is usually preferred, such as a Ceylon or Darjeeling, so that the flavor of the tea doesn’t get completely lost with the spices. Chai teas are usually served mixed with sugar and milk. A common method in making chai is to boil all the ingredients together, the milk, sugar, water, spices and tea, and then strain the liquid afterwards.

You can find chai tea at most coffee shops around North America today, including Starbucks and other popular chains. If you’ve never had it, give it a try next time you visit a Starbucks; the two billion plus people that drink it every day in the far east can’t all be wrong. If nothing else, it’s a nice change from coffee now and then.

Just about every family has a member who loves horses. This person may spend weekends tending to horses that he or she owns or just dream of owning one someday. The dream of having a pony may have been a constant topic of conversation during this family member’s childhood. No matter what, equestrian gifts would make any occasion extra special for this beloved relative.

The trouble is finding the right present at the right price. Some equestrian gifts are way too expensive for the quality. I think that some companies play on the idea that the special horse lover is willing to pay more for items that represent something so dear to his or her heart. It could be that they know that their relatives are willing to pay extra to make this person happy.

Not everyone can own a horse. They are quite expensive and not exactly what you would consider a pet. They won’t fit in most back yards and they can be a little bit smelly, to be honest. This doesn’t deter a true horse enthusiast who doesn’t mind the horse-smell or the dirt commonly associated with the large animal. Equestrian gifts would suit this diehard horse fan on any occasion.

I have such a relative of my own. My step sister is a fanatic about horses. She has raised horses since she was a pre-teen and continues to do so today. Even though she works as a nurse two days each week and even though she hosts many parties and events, she always has time for her stable.

This has never changed. She has two children but she has six horses. She never lets a single one get neglected. For this, I make sure to give her equestrian gifts each holiday and on her birthday. The equestrian gifts represent my recognition of her love and devotion to the special animals.

Personally, I find many equestrian gifts online. There are so many options out there and the competition really brings the prices down quite a bit. I find online shopping for equestrian gifts superior to running from store to store in the hopes that just the right gift will appear. Specialty stores tend to be a little pricy, too.

I have found everything from tee shirts to jewelry to living room accessories through online stores. My step sister has loved each and every one of her equestrian gifts almost as much as she loves her horses.