Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year, is a day of fresh starts, family visits and also the festive food. Homes welcome relatives and loved ones with greetings of 'Saal Mubarak', while tables are filled with mithai, farsan and other traditional delicacies. Between these visits, a freshly brewed cup of chai is often the best part of the hospitality.
Masala chai, with its warming spices and strong tea flavour, makes a familiar partner to Gujarati snacks like gathiya, chakli and khakhra. It is also an easy way to bring everyone together for a quick pause during a busy day of festivities. Whether you are preparing tea for visiting relatives or enjoying a simple cup with family, Vikram Masala Tea can add a familiar spiced flavour to your Bestu Varas celebrations.
Bestu Varas Marks A Fresh Start For Gujarati Families
Bestu Varas marks the start of the Gujarati New Year and usually falls on the day after Diwali, on Kartik Sud Padvo as per the Hindu calendar. It is an important occasion for Gujarati communities in India and abroad, especially in Gujarat. Families start the day by exchanging greetings, visiting temples, and meeting loved ones.
The greeting 'Saal Mubarak' is generally used to wish someone a happy New Year. For many households, the day is also about starting afresh, spending time with your loved ones and welcoming capital. Homes are cleaned and adorned with festive decorations, whereas new clothes, sweets and family meals add to the celebrations. With guests coming and going throughout the day, food and drinks naturally become part of the celebrations.
Why Chai Has A Place In New Year Gatherings
A cup of tea is often the most comfortable way to welcome someone who drops in for a short period during the festive season. While sweets and savoury snacks may be made in advance, chai can be made fresh whenever guests arrive. It gives everyone a sense of taking a break, sitting together and catching up.
On Bestu Varas, family visits can go on from morning to evening. Some guests may stop by after temple visits, whereas others arrive to exchange New Year wishes. A round of tea served with chakli, gathiya, khakhra or a few pieces of mithai makes for a simple but familiar spread.
The preparation may vary from one household to another. Some like a strong milk tea, whereas others enjoy a lighter brew. Either way, chai turns out to be part of the conversations and small moments that make the day special.
What Makes Masala Chai A Good Festive Choice?
Masala chai brings together the familiar taste of brewed tea with the warmth of spices. Relying on a household recipe, it may have ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper or fennel. These ingredients give the drink its unique aroma and a taste that can be modified to fit individual preferences.
During the festive season, when homes get filled with rich sweets and savoury snacks, a freshly brewed cup of masala chai offers a familiar accompaniment. The spices add character to the tea, whereas milk and sugar can be modified as per taste.
Vikram Masala Tea is a chance for those who relish a spiced cup without having to measure and mix several ingredients every time. It can be brewed as part of the morning routine or made when relatives arrive for their New Year visit.
How To Prepare A Cup Of Masala Chai With Vikram Masala Tea
Making masala chai at home does not need a detailed process. Start by boiling water in a saucepan. Add the needed quantity of Vikram Masala Tea and let it brew until the colour and flavour deepen.
Pour in milk to your liking and add sugar if needed. Let the tea simmer for a few minutes. Once it reaches your preferred strength, strain it into small cups and serve hot.
If you like a more substantial spice taste, you can add a little freshly crushed ginger or cardamom while the tea is still brewing. However, taste the tea first, as the masala blend already has its own variety of flavours. This makes it easy to make a consistent cup without adding too many ingredients.
Pair Your New Year Chai With Gujarati Snacks
No festive tea spread feels done without something to nibble on. Gujarati cuisine offers an abundance of savoury options that go well with masala chai. Gathiya, khakhra, chakli and chevdo are favoured choices for serving to guests. Their crisp textures make them comfortable to enjoy along with a hot cup of tea.
For those who like something sweet, a small serving of mohanthal, shankarpali or besan ladoo can fulfil the spread. Many of these treats are also made or bought during the Diwali season, so they are often available at home when Bestu Varas approaches.
You do not need to make a large menu just for tea. A plate with two or three snacks, a bowl of namkeen and freshly brewed Vikram Masala Tea can be sufficient to welcome guests.
Make Time For A Quiet Cup Amid The Celebrations
Bestu Varas can be a hectic day, specifically when there are many homes to visit and relatives pass by throughout the day. Between making food, exchanging greetings and attending family gatherings, it is easy to spend most of the day moving from one activity to another.
Taking a short break with a cup of chai can offer a point to slow down. You could enjoy it with your family in the morning before the day's visits start or make a fresh batch in the afternoon when everyone has come back home. A familiar cup of masala chai can also bring everyone together after a long day of festivities.
Vikram Masala Tea fits into this simple routine, whether you like a strong morning brew or a cup served to guests in the evening.
A Fresh Year And A Familiar Cup Of Chai
Bestu Varas is a celebration of new beginnings, family ties and the joy of welcoming another year. While sweets, farsan and festive meals have their place, everyday moments of hospitality are just as much a part of the event. A freshly brewed cup of masala chai, served with a plate of Gujarati snacks and a warm 'Saal Mubarak', makes for a simple way to celebrate.