Coffee v. Tea: Is India falling for the cappuccino?? by Rajini Vaidyanathan
written February 8, 2012
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Indian tea, commonly know as chai, has been a long term favorite beverage in India however, with the introduction of western coffee shops on the street corners, that could possibly change. Coffee does pose some challenges when it comes to being accepted by Indian culture. Coffee is about fifteen times more expensive than tea; its expense causes problems for the average person. The incorperation of coffee into people's everyday lives is also causing communication between people to change. Young people can often be found socializing and just "hanging out".
Outside culture is slowly starting to diffuse accross India and coffee is just one example of this. In my opinion, coffee should be enbraced by the population of India to some extent. Coffee will invariably become part of the culture of teenager's and young adult's lives so society will hopefully grow to accept it. I highly doubt that chai will disappear out of India's culture for it has so long been engrained.
As the article describes, some vendors have been making tea for over 40 years. Chai tea has a distinct flavor which no one can replicate, adding to India's cultural identity. Now, where people would drink tea and go, they are hanging out in local cofffee shops; cuture is changing. Dating in teenagers is often looked down upon in this society, however, coffee shops are providing a place for young people to hang out without having to tell their parents that they are going on a date. Although these cafes are effecting everyone in society, they have the greatest effect on the younger generation of people.
click_here_to_read_this_article
Indian tea, commonly know as chai, has been a long term favorite beverage in India however, with the introduction of western coffee shops on the street corners, that could possibly change. Coffee does pose some challenges when it comes to being accepted by Indian culture. Coffee is about fifteen times more expensive than tea; its expense causes problems for the average person. The incorperation of coffee into people's everyday lives is also causing communication between people to change. Young people can often be found socializing and just "hanging out".
Outside culture is slowly starting to diffuse accross India and coffee is just one example of this. In my opinion, coffee should be enbraced by the population of India to some extent. Coffee will invariably become part of the culture of teenager's and young adult's lives so society will hopefully grow to accept it. I highly doubt that chai will disappear out of India's culture for it has so long been engrained.
As the article describes, some vendors have been making tea for over 40 years. Chai tea has a distinct flavor which no one can replicate, adding to India's cultural identity. Now, where people would drink tea and go, they are hanging out in local cofffee shops; cuture is changing. Dating in teenagers is often looked down upon in this society, however, coffee shops are providing a place for young people to hang out without having to tell their parents that they are going on a date. Although these cafes are effecting everyone in society, they have the greatest effect on the younger generation of people.