It be would tough for her to slide out from under the covers of the feather light, yet cozy Jaipuri comforter every morning. But she would do it, right at the crack of dawn everyday. While rubbing her eyes and stretching the body in all directions to shoo the drowsiness away, Mummy would tip toe out of the bedroom. It was also a bedroom for me and my little brother who at the time must be four or five for I remember myself being seven or eight. As the cover would slip and let a wave of cold air in, I’d be disturbed in my sleep and frown over mummy while peeking with one eye partially open. She’d whisper in my ears asking me to go back to sleep and walk straight into the kitchen. I’d know the first sound that would come out of her kitchen would be of the chai pot being pulled out of the dish basket. Following that sound would be an array of soft noises and aromas and we’d know mummy’s chai is ready. First sip and she’s back to life, ready to tackle the day and us, her two kids who were more than a handful!
My mornings sound and smell pretty much the same as Mummy’s. Until the beautiful aroma of my ginger cardamom chai fills up my house, my day doesn’t begin. So its acceptable to say that chai plays a very important role in my life and its true with pretty much every Indian family I know.
Joy, trust, anger or sorrow, love, hate or anything in between…. everything is shared over a cup of chai! The day doesn’t start without a cup of chai and it sure cannot end without one. Neither can gatherings, festivals or celebrations. Chai is a part and parcel of an Indian life.
Building on that emotion the fine folks at Teabox crafted some of the most amazing flavors of chai. I got to know Teabox last year and since then have been enjoying their chai. Their tea possesses the aroma of freshness and feels pure. I have suggested them several times that they should be making fragrances with their chai flavors because I feel like rubbing that beautiful smell on my wrist every time I brew their tea! Teabox works directly with 150 big and small tea growers around India and Nepal. They handcraft each teabox and teapac with care and attention to detail and that shows when you try their tea.
They have a few teabox gift packs which they have designed specially for Diwali. The Gem Collection and Luminaire are my favorites. Check them out if you are looking to gift something different to a tea lover this Diwali. They are just good people, doing a good job with an honest passion for tea.
Disclaimer: This blogpost is sponsored by Teabox but I have been relishing their tea for over a year now so the ideas and opinions expressed here are purely mine.