Outside India, a simplified barista ‘Masala Chai Latte’ does not represent its complex possibilities. Fortunately, many online tea retailers offer a representative sampling of India’s complex chai culture for the chai connoisseur.

Turmeric, black pepper, rice, and daal come together in a simple nourishing bowl to soothe away and relieve daily stresses.

Making your own spice blend is not for everyone, but here’s a list to add to your pantry and expand your palate.

Making your own will give you a reliable stash of flavors to pull from at your leisure.

Soothe your stress and anxieties.

It wasn’t until my first Diwali away from home, in a midwestern campus town 20 years ago, that I truly grasped how much Diwali means to me.