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7. Punjabi Cha and Masala Chai

Punjabi cha is the drink of Sathnam Sanghera's childhood; one of many varieties that make tea India's national drink. From 2023.

Like Britain (and several other countries), India sees tea as its definitive national drink.

But as Sathnam Sanghera discovers, mass market Indian tea culture was seeded, in large part, by its coloniser.

With a trip to a chai stall in London and a chat with the historian Romita Ray, Sathnam charts the development of tea in India from both indigenous and imperial origins.

Amid its regional diversity, how did it become India’s national drink?

Producer: Paul Martin

A BBC Audio Wales production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2023.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Tue 7 Oct 202509:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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6. Tough, Tiring, Difficult

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8. One For Each Person and None For The Pot

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Broadcasts

  • Tue 12 Dec 202313:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Thu 1 Aug 202421:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Tue 7 Oct 202509:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra