Tea is taken around the world and its influence spans cultural as well as economic boundaries. Tea has played a vital role in world politics, wars, literature, romance, and cuisine. It has been ascribed a spiritual and mystical connection tthe soul in the East, while in the West it has been considered in turn tbe an evil liquor, a medicinal cure for almost any ailment, and a symbol of imperial oppression. Tmany, tea is the nectar of life.

It is wonderful thave friends discover how enjoyable and relaxing tea parties can be. While a tea party can be as simple as inviting a friend over tshare tea from your favorite teapot, it can alsbe a creative, well-planned event. Choosing a theme, and then creating decor and a menu tfollow the theme, can make a tea party magical and memorable. For at least twcenturies, "Come for tea" has been just another way of saying "come, let's share a bit of our lives together". Tea nurtures friendship by inviting us tbe present tone another - right now, in the moment.

There is nend tthe diversity of recipes for making your own chai. Chai recipes are like Italian minestrone soup - its always good but everyone's recipe is different. Brewing chai is fun and allows you texperiment until you get it 'Just right" for your personal taste. We have collected recipes from around the world thelp you in your quest for the perfect 'heavenly chai'.

1) Fruit Tea Punch

Ingredients:

• 2 Girnar Bags tea
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup fresh fruit, crushed
• 1 pint ginger ale

Method:

Make tea as per instructions on the tea bags. Allow it tcool. Mix all ingredients except ginger
ale. Just before serving add ginger ale and crushed ice. If the punch is tostrong for your taste you can dilute with ice water or more ginger ale.

2) Spiced Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 bags of Girnar tea
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 stick cinnamon
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 cardamom pods (optional)
• 2 tbsp tea leaves
• 4 cups boiling water
• juice of 1 large lemon and 2 oranges
• ice cubes
• iced water or soda water (club soda) ttaste
• orange and lemon slices tdecorate

Method:

1. Boil the sugar, water and spices for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Put the tea bags in a large pot and pour the boiling water over, leave for 5 minutes.

2. Strain intlarge bowl, add the strained syrup and leave tcool. Stir in the strained lemon and orange juice, then add ice cubes and dilute with iced water or club soda ttaste. Decorate with slices of orange or lemon.

3) Tea Punch

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pint tea
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 pint orange squash
• 4 table spoons lemon juice
• 2 small bottles ginger ale
• 1 large bottle lemonade
• 1 orange, sliced

Method:

Put the hot tea in a bowl, add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the orange squash and lemon juice and strain. Chill. Just before serving mix in the ginger ale, lemonade and orange slices.

4) Cranberry Iced Tea Cooler

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts Iced Tea
• 1 can frozen cranberry concentrate, partially thawed and undiluted
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 /4 cup sugar

Method:

Place 4 tea bags in a glass or porcelain container. Pour 2 quarts boiling water over tea bags and steep 7 t10 minutes. Squeeze and remove tea bags, allow tea tcool.

In large pitcher, combine the cranberry and orange juice. Stir until both are well mixed. Then pour in the ice tea. Add the sugar and mix until you dissolve the sugar. Cover and place in refrigerator [chill about 1 hour. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

5) Hot Tea Punch

Ingredients:

• 5 bags of tea
• 6 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 1/2 cups orange juice
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Method:

Bring first 4 ingredients tboil in heavy large saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Cover and let steep 10 minutes. Discard lea bags. Add orange and lemon juices tpunch. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Re warm before continuing.) Using slotted spoon, remove whole spices.

6) Indian Chai

Ingredients:

• 3 teabags black tea
• 4 cups water
• 1 3 inch cinnamon stick
• 1 inch piece of ginger root cut int4 slices
• 1/2tsp (2 ml) cardamom seeds
• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) black peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) whole cloves
• 1 tsp (5 ml) whole coriander seeds
• 1 cup (225 ml) milk
• Honey or other sweetener ttaste

Method:

Bring water tboil in a saucepan. Add spices, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Add teabags and steep 10 minutes. Add milk and heat tdrinking temperature-dnot boil. Strain mix- cure through a cheesecloth or cotton dish towel. Serve with honey or other sweetener ttaste.

7) Hot Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 Add Ginger Tea bags
• 2 Pieces cinnamon
• Sticks
• 8 Whole cloves
• 6 cup Boiling water
• 2 Orange slices

Method:

Put tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger and sugar inta large teapot. Pour boiling water over and allow tsteep 3 minutes. Remove tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Tserve, pour tea intcups and float a quarter slice of orange in each cup.

8) Black Saffron Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 bags Golden Green tea
• 6 Green cardamoms
• 4 tea spoon Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Saffron threads
• 4 cups Water
• 4 bags Golden Green Tea Black

Method:

Add the cardamom, sugar and saffron tthe water and bring ta boil. Simmer until reduced by half. Bring ta boil again, add tea bags and steep for 8 minutes. Strain our tea and spices.

9) Almond Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 Tea bags your favorite tea from our Traditional Teas Collection
• 1/2 tea spoon Lemon zest, finely grated
• 4 cups Boiling water
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 2 tea spoons Lemon juice
• 1 tea spoon Almond extract
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla

Method:

Steep tea and lemon rind in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Stir in sugar, lemon juice, almond and vanilla. Serve hot.

10) Jammine Tea Liquor

Ingredients:

• 2 tea spoon masala tea
• 1 pint, dark rum
• 2 cup Jasmine tea
• 1 cup Sugar syrup

Method:

Steep the tea in the rum for 24 hours, and remove. Make the sugar syrup by boiling 1 cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of water. When the syrup cools, add tthe rum. It's ready tdrink immediately.