masala chai for non-indians

I absolutely love masala chai. I need to learn to make it at home.

I order it when I visit an Indian restaurant. They absolutely resist bringing it with the meal. Today the waiter said it would take some time to make. He asked if I wanted it with the meal. I said “I’ll have it as soon as it’s ready” and I made a gesture of warming my hands, frozen from office air conditioning. He brought it at the end of the meal.

After he brought the check, he came over and said “The masala chai was on the house. You were feeling cold.” That was so sweet.

They also find drinking it without sugar incomprehensible.

Somehow this qualifies as my celebration of Columbus Day.