Thinking of Tea and coffee I am reminded what my Maths teacher said’Determinant A can be greater than Determinant B. You can never say Matrix A is greater than Matrix B’ Unlike Determinants which has an absolute value, Matrix is an arrangement of Numbers that are not for any comparison.
The tastes of Tea and Coffee are not to be compared. They are to be treated as two separate beverages - Give each its own importance.
Fortunately, in India, we get fine Coffee and Tea. Guys from Western countries are not that fortunate.
COFFEE
Coffee’s aroma is just unmatched. Unlike Tea, it does not need any additives like Masala, Ginger to enhance the flavour. It will enthrall the person with freshness. That is the reason you will find guys from South India are passionate about the cofee(espescially) in the mornings. The mood it sets you in just cannot be described by words. It has to be felt.
Coffee, however, should be well prepared. Its easy to screw up a cup of coffee. It should be strong(Meaning lot of decoction), Rich(Fine Coffee powder and good quality Milk) and Little sugar(to pep you up). The sugar should not interfere with the taste.
Instant coffee is not recommended. It neither has the flavour, nor the taste, nor the refreshment you will find in coffee from filtered or percolated decoctions.
TEA
Having said a lot about Coffee, Tea is something we cannot do without. Most of us are born with it. ’Ek cup chai’ stays with us from school days through college to work, through romance, through family and through life.
Its taste even, though not refreshing or pepping up, definetely became part of our life style.
I like strong tea with additives like Masala, Ginger, elaichi and other(my mothers proprietary - I didnt bother to get to know) spices. I love the masala chai the family of my muslim friend makes. I did not bother to know the receipe but Muslims generally make excellent chais - their own trademark.
Also, one thing after travelling a bit in India and abroad, I have come to the following conclusions:
1. Opt for filter coffee in South India - Its their speciality and they are damn good at it.
2. Do NOT opt for coffee in North India. They make better tasting chais and they make horrible coffee.
3. Do NOT opt for coffee or Tea in western countries. You will get only decoction(black-coffee) with no sugar and no milk. When you crib, you will get some whiteners but its not worth it. I can only pity those guys for not having exposed to quality tea and coffee. Now they are accustomed to the taste(if any) and will not understand if you try to explain. Their tastes have got used to it.
The above are general observations and not directed to be critical of anybody. Exceptions prevail. Thanks for your understanding.
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Recommended mix of coffee powder - When you get coffee powder get a mix of 125g Plantation A+ 125g Plantation B+ 250g of Peabery(spelling huh)+ 25g of chicory