Great series, Anirban. But why do they 'waste' their coffee with milk?
Thank you John. Indian filter coffee is terribly strong and tastes horrible without milk. I guess that's why the tradition.
Jacques - thanks for the good words and the memoir. I'm so glad that these photos evoked such response. I wish you had some of those photos to share when you travelled India.
Akira - thank a lot. If you don't mind milk with tea i.e. chai, then "Banarasi chai" is the best for you. I had this Kanpur and this is the best chai I have till date.
"Banarsi" means from Varanasi a heritage city in India. Their chai is full of cream, cardamom and other spices something similar to Colin explained above.
Here's "Banarsi Tea Stall". You see they also have disposable **clay glasses** if you are not worried about dis-washing quality.
#19. First goes cream/milk in the glasses. Then sugar.
#20. Then tea decoction ...
#21. And you "Banarsi Chai" is ready...