Although India has a myriad of regional languages and distinct cultures, one thing that all Indians share is their love for chai and pan-masala. Chai, as many people might know, is the milk tea that Indians cherish; pan-masala is less familiar to non-Indians, but I would contend that it is just as ubiquitous and prevalent as the good-ol’ milk tea.

India has not always been a tea drinker. Unlike many dishes in India that have been passed on for hundreds of generations, chai is not one of those. It wasn’t until British introduced tea in India during their colonial rule. For many Indians, the day begins with a masala chai at home for breakfast. I would say almost 90% start their day with this ritual, which then, is followed by multiple cups throughout the day. For instance, we had a guy deliver tea three times a day to every single person in the company, and my company had about 80 people. He also held numerous contracts with other companies to deliver tea throughout the day. Moreover, when you visit someone, the first thing they ask, “Would you like a tea?”

The only thing that can match chai’s prevalence is pan-masala. It is flavored supari or betel nut, and it may or may not contain tobacco. Folks who consume this usually get addicted to it because it has a numbing effect on your brain (yes, I tried it). Unlike chai, pan-masala is a concern for health for various reasons: first, it could cause cancer because it contains tobacco; second, after a prolonged use of pan-masala, it could change color of your teeth to reddish-brown hue; third, it gradually tightens the user’s jaw, which means they can’t open their mouth fully after a few years. The worst consequence is that it can’t be swallowed, so people spit it away, which means they would spit on roads, parks, and any other public place.

In conclusion, chai and pan-masala are probably the two most prevalent things in India. You can witness this in almost every state, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Indians are addicted to it.