Tea - Probably as important as water to Kolkatans!

Roadside tea makers are an institution in every corner of India. Their ramshackle assemblages of pots and pans bearing tea, sugar, spices and buffalo milk are the oil that greases the cogs of daily life. Chai dhabas in different states follow local recipes, about which customers are fiercely partisan. Of India’s great cities, Kolkata is the undisputed tea capital. Consignments of Assam and Darjeeling are shipped to Felixstowe and Hamburg from here, so it follows that its tea shacks should be the best.

Kesar Tea at Arun's Tea Stall

 Arun Tea Stall - This infamous shop not just boasts of the delectable Kachoris but is also famous for their Kesar chai that has been a pal for morning walkers and the Xaverians alike. The tiny hub situated in a cosy nook near Theatre Road sells a cup for as low as Rs 12. A single sip of the tea is enough to send you back to the roots of Kashmir. The aroma is tantalizing and you are bound to shell out coins for another cup.

Tea with snacks at balwant Singh's eating house

Balwant Singh’s Eating House - Most people flock to the Bhawanipore outlet for a tall Punjabi glass of ‘Doodh Cola’, but instead end up sipping on a piping hot cup of Kesaria Chai that makes you forget all other drinks. A last resort hub for all party goers, Balwant Singh is open till 2 AM and at times till the wee hours of morning, providing service to the tired. A single cup and you are good to go.

Special Frothy Tea at Sharma Tea

Sharma tea - A breakfast heaven for all foodies, but tea lovers can never give this one a miss. To some, it’s been a tradition heading down to this outlet and indulging in a Rs 7 cup of tea before heading out to work and get engaged in the hustle and bustle of the city. Hazra road wouldn’t be the same without Sharma’s.

Shamol Da's Tea Stall - University days are never deemed fun, if you haven’t had the customary ‘Adda’ with your batch mates at the university tea stalls; and Jadavpur Univeristy students walking out of Gate 4 can never say no to Shyamol Da who concocts the best tea in the entire area. Don’t miss out on the classic rock and pop songs he plays in the background. Good taste in music and great tasting tea are a students’ comfort zone.

Chocolate tea at Rabindra sarobar Metro

Tripti tea stall - Standing meekly in front of Rabindra Sarobar metro station gate 6, is a small tea shop called Tripti. It is a small, nondescript stall nestled near the footpath and one can easily look past it while crossing the place – but not anymore! You will find a small crowd lining up to buy tea from this stall at any point of the day. Why, you ask? Because this is the only roadside stall in Kolkata that sells chocolate tea! Tripti tea stall serves chocolate tea among other chocolaty drinks and it has taken the city by rage!

Now devoted tea lovers might break into a fight and suggest that the tea stalls in their ‘para’ are much better and stand as legends when it comes to tea; but as controversial a topic as this might be, we agree that such is the love for this hot beverage, that no one shop can stand the greatest in its might. Perhaps to each their own. Cheers to that!