The Meanings of Chai, Easter Cakes are Coming and more at chefshop.com/enews EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER 5% OFF CODE chai  Recipes | Chef's Pantries | Shop for Food & Ingredients | Food Blog The Meaning of Chai The many meanings of Chai The word Chai means “life”, alive, living, and as far back as medieval Spain, the symbol (of life) was worn as an amulet. In France, Chai (pronounced shay) means a wine “shed” or place to store wine above ground. In India, Chai, \chi\ derived from Chá (Chinese and others), means tea. And in Indian cooking, the word Masala means spice mixture made into a paste or powder, such as chicken masala. Thus Masala Chai is a spiced dark tea. Jaipur Avenue Masala Chai is more than the blending of the ingredients; it is not just a random mix. In fact it is about finding perfect harmony to create the smooth balance that makes this a very special calming, blissful chai. The creation of Jaipur Avenue Chai started with an expat from Mumbai, India who was an accomplished textile designer for Oscar de La Renta in NYC, and missed the Chai from “home”. Now a Seattle resident, Jillu found it harder and harder to find the time to make Chai in her new “home”. When she found out that her husband’s high school friend had created an all-natural, instant, just-as-good as the freshly brewed homemade chai she quit her job at Nordstrom and started Jaipur Avenue. This year in our shop during the holidays we shared and sampled all of her flavors and with total eye-closing rave reviews! The aromatic spices chosen are not random and according to Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old system of natural healing; the spices chosen have purpose and are rich in antioxidants with health benefits. Like all foods, the origins are as important as the taste themselves! 1) Original Masala Chai Still Jillu's favorite, the original. With classic milk, tea and spices this is "the" taste that you are most likely to find on the streets of Mambai. Soothingly, smoothingly, the feel and the nose is awarded with textures that are like silk. Shop now for Original Masala Chai 2) Ginger Chai Ginger is one of my favorite Jaipur Chai flavors. Warming -- but with a little ginger kick. It awakens you with a zesty zing. Perfect. Ginger stimulates blood circulation, aids digestion, relieves cold symptoms, and lowers risk of colon cancer. Shop now for Ginger Chai 3) Saffron Chai Saffron has an aroma and flavor all its own. Made with natural saffron, the sensual and unique aroma cannot be faked. If you love saffron, you will love this chai. Saffron can act as antidepressant, antioxidant, relieves stress, aids digestion, and protects body against infections. Shop now for Saffron Chai 4) Cardamom Chai Cardmom is the perfect, warm spice - and so popular in Indian culture. The woodsy, green overtones and aromas might just hit the spot. Cardamom is beneficial to the kidneys, lungs and heart, is anti-inflammatory, aids digestion and stimulates metabolism. Shop now for Cardamom Chi 5) Vanilla Chai Vanilla is perfect when you're not sure which one to choose. A celebration of vanilla creamy smooth flavors. Vanilla is relaxing, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory. Shop now for Vanilla Chai 6) Lemongrass Chai Lemongrass has a delicate, citrusy aroma and warm peppery flavor. Lemongrass aids digestion, improves blood circulation, and relieves symptoms of cough and cold. Shop now for Lemongrass Chai The wonderful Italian Colomba is headed our way! Shaped like a dove, it represents a symbol of innocence, gentleness, and affection. On the inside, it's the same cake as the panettone; the luscious bread made with lots of eggs, sugar, some flour, and a 60 plus year-old starter yeast. It will have been about 90 days since we last sank our teeth into a lemon panettone. And, it will be another 240 days until we can have another. These Colomba are from Albetango. If you want a Sorrento Lemon or a Classico, we will have them in time for the all important Easter weekend. Though there is a rumor that Panettone will be available year round some day, that day has not arrived. So, we look forward to a bread shaped like a dove. For some reason I feel like eating the whole thing in one day ... well, maybe a wing. Just a little bit shorter or less lofty makes it a tiny bit denser and, some say, better than panettone! Let's face it, a cake that takes several days just to rise, then hangs upside down to cool, its gotta be good! Pre-order your Colomba today, limited supply. 7) Albertengo Colomba Sorrento Lemon "Do NOT hesitate to purchase this Lemon Panettone!!! I LOVE Lemon Panettone and Sorrento Lemon Panettone-Albertengo is THE BEST!! The luscious flavor is so lemony, the texture is soft and moist and the candied fruit is soft and chewy. I will buy no other Lemon Panettone as I've found the best! I've ordered 4 this year. I intended to give a couple as hostess gifts but I'm re-thinking that idea, ha ha ha." Shop now for Sorrento Lemon! 8) Colomba Classica a light buttery egg bread, studded with candied citron and orange, and raisins. How can you go wrong? The perfect antidote to your Panettone cravings in the middle of Spring. Shop now for Classica 9) Delice Primavera This Colomba has no candied fruit or raisins added -- just light, buttery bread. Plus a touch of orange essence to highlight the coming of Spring. Makes for an amazing French Toast -- and the perfect addition to your family Easter breakfast traditions. Shop now for Delice Primavera 10) Colomba Frutti di Bosco This hand-made bread wrapped in the traditional Easter wrapping, is one of the most amazingly delicious colomba you will ever taste. Studded with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and wild strawberries in a luscious panettone dough -- the berry scent when you open it is so heavenly, it epitomizes the beginning of the fruit-growing season. Covered with piedmont hazelnut icing, including the sprinkled sugar and almonds. Shop now for Frutti di Bosco! 11) Apricot Colomba Instead of the usual raisins and candied citron, this wonderful Colomba from Albertengo - Master Panettone Maker - is studded with chunks of local apricots, whose slight tartness is the perfect complement to the rich sweet bread surrounding them. Shop now for Apricot Colomba!   Just-in-Updates - Cooking Classes Fresh shipment just in of ChefShop Cocoa Powder! Our all time favorite this is the first product we ever carried, and is still a top fave. A new shipment just arrived and just in time as winter is still kicking! Think warm hot chocolate! St Patrick's Day Meal Class It's not all green! St Patrick's Day festive foods come to life all with the help of a leprechaun! Come to a class and learn a lot of cooking stuff, and get to eat it too!   This Week's Recipes Salmon with Lemon Caper Sauce Recipe Salmon (or any fish) with a simple preserved lemons and capers sauce is a cinch and snap! It tastes great. Pain d'Epice Recipe This honey spice cake is classic French. Not hard to make, the very best ingredients freshly sourced are the key. Spicy Chickpeas Recipe Give your chickpeas an attitude and top your polenta, crepes, or just about anything! See what you missed in previous Newsletters Caffeine Free, Parm is Back, Genovese Pesto Tuna - My Diet Food Honey & Hazelnuts, Pralus Pyramide ChefShop.com Toll-free: 1-800-596-0885 You've received this email because you have purchased from us or subscribed. We respect your privacy online, and will never share your email address. Help | Contact | About | Terms | Privacy Policy | Search | My Account DESIGN: JODI LUBY & COMPANY, INC. 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