Have you ever noticed people ordering “naan bread” or “chai tea”? While these are some commonly used phrases, they actually contain redundant words. As Indians, we often find it amusing, yet slightly annoying to hear these terms. While you might have corrected your friends, some people continue to use these phrases while ordering their tea. Well, it appears we are not the only ones with an issue with the terminology. Even Padma Lakshmi, the popular Indian-American author, model, activist, and TV host, has also taken up the baton to correct people speaking this way. In her recent Instagram reel, she can be seen in her pantry, stacking some spice jars. She turns to the camera and speaks to her fans directly. “One more thing – it's not 'chai tea'. It's 'tea'. Chai tea is like saying 'tea tea'. And I tried to explain this,” she says.
Specifying the correct way to refer to the beloved beverage, she adds, “They should just call it 'masala tea'..