Is “Chai Tea” Redundant?: Quick Facts

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Photos

Steaming masala chai being poured from a metal pot into clay cups, with three other filled cups beside it.

Tea as far as the eye can see

World map illustrating the historical trade routes and linguistic spread of the words for tea (shown in green, originating from Min Nan Chinese te) and chai (shown in purple, originating from Chinese cha). Arrows trace how these terms traveled to different regions, with tea spreading mainly via sea routes to Western Europe and parts of Africa, and chai spreading overland through Asia.

A man in a plaid shirt pours masala chai from a height into a cup at a street stall in Tamil Nadu, India, with large metal pots and cups on the counter.

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