Vintage Tea Party

Who would not endorse "Apne Ghar ki Chai" if you are a tea lover to the core? Its fascinating that even the use of exactly same ingredients in the tea brings out completely different flavours and aroma at different households. The level of customization for preparing a simple cuppa tea, comprising of four major components - water, milk, tea leaves and sugar differs for every household. And, its almost a family tradition to literally pass the tea recipe to the next generation to keep the same 'family tea taste' alive.

Vintage Tea Party

Besides enjoying the flavours of tea, I also believe in having the right company and/or perfect ambience. My favourite vintage tea set collection helps me create an ambience which is truly enduring. My vintage tea party theme has become immensely popular amongst my friends' circle. Actually, the tradition of high tea goes back to the 19th century British style of convening mid-afternoon tea and snacks. It may be a fancy concept for some but if you are a part of the party, its extremely refreshing although it promotes indulgence. The typical menu for the high tea party includes cookies, cupcakes, macaroons, butter flavoured croissants and sandwiches. If you are lucky to have a garden, you may organize the party there but if you stay in small matchboxes like myself, even then there is a lot of scope to have the same feel. Crisp bright white table cloth spread along with the cup cake stand, fresh flowers and the cutlery being set to perfection on the table is all what you need to do. Serving varied kinds of teas like hand picked green tea, oolong tea, flavoured teas of apple, lemon, ginger, mint etc as per the preferences can be really good healthy options too. If you are thinking its one of those parties where only gurlz and ladies are invited then you are highly mistaken. Infact its a friends' gathering irrespective of gender. Its a big break from the regular 'dinner with friends' parties at home and gives a chance to everyone to look forward to something different. Of course high tea doesn't have to be grand affair; one can always tweak the concept and customize to the guests' taste while the fun of being together remains priceless as usual. 

Even the kids have lots of fun in such parties as they love to hog on the marshmallows and cupcakes along with gettin a chance to be involved in games played by adults. Rather than having a stereotypical birthday party of your kid at pizza hut or some other fast food joints, children's tea party is a great idea to bank on if you don't have time and space constraints. Mini cupcakes, mini burgers along with hot chocolate (surely preferred over tea by kids) and other goodies can work wonders to make your kids birthday party special and distinct.

My fascination for vintage tea set collection goes as far as scouting and collecting them from the different places I travel across the world.  They are also an inspiration for my painting and complements the tea party.

Vintage Tea Party

Vintage Tea Party

Cutting Chai

The Legen....wait for it... dary silver grey aluminium kettle and cutting chai takes me back to my college and mba days when a refreshing 'chai ki pyali' did wonders at any odd time of the day and night. I could never ever forget the Ram bhai's Ketli popularly known as "Ketli" just outside the IIM Ahmedabad campus which used to be the favourite hang out place with friends. Besides Chai it was also the Sutta joint for many; as true for other chai wallah stalls.

The maggi and anda bhurji served at the ketli near my hostel have come across as saviours several times for hungry souls, like me and am sure many, who feel hungry at all the odd hours. And coupling it with cutting masala chai was like the cherry on the cake. Somethings never change like that typical aluminium kettle tea served at every chai wallah near you doesn't change...thank god!!Just love that style. I still haven't lost touch with that kettle not even in my art and also during my break time at the chai wallah at workplace.

Cutting Chai