What Is Parsi Choi, And How Can You Make It?

Indians cannot imagine even a single day without a steaming cup of chai in the morning. Some prefer strong masala chai with milk, while others might like black tea. But Parsis? They prefer Parsi Choi, a refreshing tea that is unlike most Indian chai. Here’s what makes it different. Hint: We have also included a celebrity-approved recipe below.

What Makes Parsi Choi Different From Masala Chai?

Masala chai is our favourite beverage of the day that instantly wakes us up. Made with tea, milk, ginger, cardamom, and other spices, we often enjoy it with our favourite biscuits. But the Parsi community is known for their altogether different take on chai.

Parsis commonly make their tea, or “Parsi Choi”, by brewing black tea with mint and lemongrass, ginger, and cardamom, and then adding a dash of milk. It is far more fragrant, which sets it apart from masala chai.

Here’s how you can make an authentic Parsi-style chai at home. The recipe is by simplybhonu.com. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups of water
• 1 teaspoon loose black tea
  
• 8-10 mint leaves
• 1 lemongrass leaf stalk
• 4 whole cardamom pods
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup milk
• Sugar, as per your taste

Method

• Heat some water in a pan, add black tea leaves, mint leaves, lemongrass, cardamom, and ginger. Let it come to a boil.
• Let the tea brew on medium flame for 1-2 minutes.
• Add milk and allow the Parsi Choi to boil until it turns a rich brown colour.
• Turn off the flame, strain the chai into a tea cup, add sugar, and enjoy it with your favourite snack.

Also Read: Girls Ditch Chai For Matcha, Calling It ‘Bleh’ And ‘Middle Class’; Creator’s Dramatic Reaction Goes Viral 

Nauheed-Approved Parsi Choi Recipe

The authentic Parsi Choi is the best, but you can also try this celebrity-approved recipe by actress Nauheed Cyrusi. She is a Parsi and is often known for sharing her love for this beverage on Instagram. She recently shared her own take on the recipe. It’s simple and hardly takes 5 minutes to brew. 

Ingredients:

• A few mint leaves
  
• A few stalks of lemongrass
  
• 1 tsp black tea leaves
  
• Sugar (optional)
  
• Milk (optional)
  

Method:

• Start by boiling water, and add the lemongrass stalks and mint leaves. Let it boil.
  
• Add the tea leaves and let them boil until the tea becomes fragrant.
  
• Nauheed did not add any milk or sugar, but you can add a splash of milk if you prefer.
  
• That’s it! Enjoy your refreshing cup of Parsi Choi.
  

Adding mint and lemongrass to your tea not only helps you relax but also aids digestion and reduces bloating, making it a perfect choice for the evening.

Many of Nauheed’s fans thanked her for the recipe. One wrote, “I agree. We add lemongrass to our normal chai and boil it. It is good for health and also tastes heavenly,” and honestly, that’s a great idea. Another one expressed her surprise and wrote, “Pudina in Chai? Now that’s a first.”

Also Read: Overripe Bananas In The Kitchen? Nauheed Cyrusi Shares An Easy Banana Pancake Recipe, And It’s A Must-Try!

I think we are ready to swap our evening masala chai with Parsi Chai and let our taste buds experience a Parsi tradition. Would you give this tea a try? Do let us know in the comments below.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/  Aditya Mara