Name a better feeling than the sound of raindrops hitting the windowpane, the cool breeze blowing through the window, and a steaming cup of chai with hot pakoras in your hand. We will wait! None, right? Well, monsoon and tea, plus savory, crispy snacks, are a match made in heaven, and we are sure you all will agree with this statement. The monsoon season has finally arrived in India, and if you are looking for the perfect tea and snacks combination, we have it all curated for you. Here’s the ultimate curation of the best tea and snacks for the rainy season. Check it out!
Monsoon Cravings: Classic Tea Varieties For Rainy Season
Masala Chai or Spiced Tea
Masala chai can be rightly called the “undisputed king” of the monsoon season! It is a spiced, fragrant milk tea, which is one of the most famous tea varieties in Indian culture. This tea is celebrated not only in India but across the globe for its warmth, freshness, aroma, and robust flavor profile. It is perfect for monsoon as it is infused with warm spices like black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. This tea not only combats the chilly weather but also boosts immunity because of the medicinal properties of the spices used.
Recipe:
- Boil 1.25 cups of water in a teapot
- Add half a piece of ginger, 2 black peppers, 1 clove, and 2 cardamom pods.
- Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add 2 teaspoons of black tea powder and some sugar as per taste.
- Boil for 1 to 1.5 minutes and then add 0.75 cups of milk.
- Bring the tea to a rolling boil twice, strain, and serve.
Also Read: 10 Monsoon Recipes You Must Try This Rainy Season
Adrak Wali Chai or Ginger Tea
Adrak wali chai, or ginger tea, is the ultimate comfort drink that is preferred by most Indians. It’s the perfect drink on a chaotic day or a relaxing monsoon evening. This tea is known for its comforting and warming flavors and sharp ginger taste. It is not only a warm brew, but it also helps soothe a sore throat and has other immunity-boosting properties as well. It is known to keep seasonal cold at bay. The only tip for making perfect adrak wali chai is to crush ginger instead of grating it for the best flavors.
Recipe:
- Add one cup of water to a tea pan and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Next, add a one-inch ginger piece to the water and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 teaspoons of black tea leaves and sugar as per your taste and simmer for 1 minute.
- Pour one cup of milk and bring it to a boil.
- Let it simmer on a low flame for 2 minutes, strain, and serve.
Elaichi Chai or Cardamom Tea
Another monsoon favourite is the warm and flavorful Elaichi chai or cardamom tea. This fragrant classic Indian tea is loved for its slightly sweet flavor with cardamom’s calming aroma. It cuts through the dampness and gloominess of the rainy day and instantly makes one feel fresh and warm. With antioxidants and antimicrobial properties of cardamom, this tea is also very beneficial for your health in the monsoons.
Recipe:
- Take a teapot and boil 1 cup of water in it.
- Add 3 to 4 crushed cardamom pods and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Now, add two teaspoons of black tea leaves and sugar as per taste and boil for a minute.
- Pour 1 cup of milk and bring it to a boil.
- Lower the flame and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Strain and serve.
Also Read: Comfort Foods Series: Pakora Spots To Visit During Monsoon In Pune
Cozy Food Ideas: Fried & Crispy Snacks For Rainy Day
Pakoras or Bhajiyas or Fritters
What are monsoons without a satisfying plate full of pakoras or fritters? Pakoras are the supreme rulers of monsoon special snacks, and no one can deny it. These hot, fried, crispy savory snacks perfectly contrast the damp, cool weather during rainy seasons. Dipped in seasoned gram flour and fried till golden brown, these crispy snacks taste more delicious when paired with flavorful mint-coriander chutney. There are a variety of bhajiyas or pakoras that you can relish in the rainy season:
- Kanda Bhajiya or Onion Fritters
- Batata Bhajiya or Potato Fritters
- Mirchi Bhajiya or Green Chilly Fritters
- Moong Dal ke pakode or Moong Dal Fritters
- Palak Pakora or Spinach Fritters
- Paneer Pakora or Paneer Fritters
- Methi Pakoras or Fenugreek Fritters
- Bread Fritters
Samosa
Samosa is a fried, flaky pastry that is stuffed with potatoes and peas. They are known to offer a comforting hug to your soul on a gloomy monsoon afternoon or evening. For many Indians, taking a bite of the hot, crunchy samosas while listening to the downpour is nothing less than a ritual during the rainy season. If you don’t like the classic potatoes and peas filling of the samosa, you can also try the various varieties with different fillings and experiment with the flavors.
- Classic Samosa
- Chole Samosa
- Punjabi Aloo Samosa
- Chana Dal Samosa
- Cheese and Corn Samosa
- Pizza Samosa
- Mini Kachori Samosa
Also Read: Monsoon Special Dishes You Must Try In Maharashtra
Kachori
Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, that is how a perfect kachori looks. Fresh kachoris out of the frying pan and straight to your plate is pure monsoon bliss. The shattering crisp bite with spicy mint chutney and tangy tamarind chutney of this slow-fried snack during heavy downpours can bring a huge smile to any foodie’s face. Various regional varieties of kachoris are loved by people during the rainy season, which you can try:
- Pyaaz ki Kachori
- Raj Kachori
- Matar Kachori
- Khasta Moong Dal Kachori
- Mini Kachori
- Dahi Kachori
Vada Pav
No monsoon list can ever be complete without mentioning comfort food vada pav on it! Mumbaikar, rainy season, and hot vada pav is the most amazing union. For people living in Mumbai or around it, vada pav is the first monsoon snack that comes to their mind. The combination of hot piping garlic-potato fritters encased in a soft pav with some dry garlic chutney and spicy mint chutney, perfectly complements the downpours. The sharp heat of this crispy yet soft snack cuts through the damp monsoon weather. While nothing can replace the classic vada pav, you can try these variations too:
- Cheese Vada Pav
- Schezwan Vada Pav
- Ulta Vada Pav
- Churra Vada Pav
Also Read: Best Vada Pav Spots In Mumbai
Bhutta Or Corn
Nothing beats relishing a hot, roasted bhutta or corn after getting drenched in the rain. What makes this experience more heavenly is when this roasted bhutta is rubbed with a slice of lemon, some red chilli powder, and black salt. It is a classic street food for rainy days and is loved for its texture and blissfully simple but impactful flavors. If you are a fan of homemade cooking, you can surely make this at home by roasting the corn on a glass flame, but nothing beats the charcoal-grilled corn on the cob.
Pro Tip: Make sure that these snacks are freshly prepared and are hot. High humidity leads the food to go stale quickly. Moreover, hot food is easier to digest during the damp weather.
Summing Up
We have listed some of the most loved tea and snack options that you can surely try this monsoon and experience an indescribably good feeling. Let us know your absolute go-to snack and hot beverage option when it starts to pour.
