chai?

[bumpthekoala]

Anyone know what is the name of the tea they use so much in Iraq? And where I can get some in the states with the same taste?

Comments

[realize]

chai tea. Im sure it wouldnt be hard to amazon it. Tea leafs packed with ass loads of sugar.

[giantlaser]

"Chai" = Iraqi derivation of "Shai" = Arabic for "tea".

Most Iraqis actually brew Lipton or Ahmad tea, either bags or leaves. What makes it so good is the sugar, which is often sugarbeet sugar, not cane.

[insomnia]

They might use Lipton, but I wouldn't. I would recommend getting tea online from someplace like Sadaf. They have lots of good teas and tea supplies.

I agree with you about the sugar. It makes a difference. I live near to a Persian market where I am able to get hardpacked sugarcubes that are perfect for these kind of teas. C&H just doesn't cut it. Extra points if you serve the tea in tea glasses.

I'd also strongly recommend true Moroccan mint tea, which is a pot full of gunpowder green tea with a handful of fresh mint leaves added.

[archivalist]

What they call chai is actually a Ceylon tea. The most popular brands come in a yellow or orange bag (yellow has a tiger on it and orange has a crane on it). I can't remember the names for the life of me, but I know they come in a tin as well.