There is nothing quite like a desi (read Indian) tea party. The delicious homemade dishes, the tinkle of pure china as the tea cups graze the saucer, the aroma of freshly brewed chai, and the joy of sharing food with loved ones. It is nostalgic, comforting, and a not-to-mess-with occasion.

Today, we share some great desi tea party food ideas for you to put into action. We also explore how and when the people in the Indian region became such ardent fans of chai time. So, let’s start with some food for thought first.

Indian chai: A colonial legacy or popular culture? 

The concept of brewed tea was not alien to the Indian region. Early recorded accounts tell that tea from China was used for semi-medical purposes—people used it in concoctions with spices and preserved or sugarcandy lemons to treat conditions like headaches and griping in the gut. 

Having tea every day, and having it with milk and sugar, was a custom introduced by British colonialists. As they began commercial-scale tea plantations in India, the British tradition of afternoon English tea was progressively popularized among the local elites. However, it remained the drink of the aristocracy until the early 20th century. When the economic depression lowered the export of tea, the British had to expand the scope of the local market. 

Tea was now more affordable and accessible. And despite its initial lack of acceptance, it slowly made its way into the Indian culinary culture. The English tea with milk and sugar morphed into Indian chai, which was not always made by steeping tea leaves in hot water. 

The traditional Indian palate preferred it stronger, sweeter, and spicier, and gave it a unique identity. People boiled the tea in water and milk or just whole milk; added sugar in a larger quantity; and threw in spices like cardamom, cloves, ginger, and even black pepper. The ‘foreign drink’ was no longer the drink of the elites. It was an adapted refreshment stop for the common folk, which evolved into a cultural thread uniting people across the Indian region as it became the ubiquitous symbol of hospitality. 

Today, from street vendors in the bustling streets of Kolkata to the dhabas along the Karakoram Highway winding through the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan, chai is a cultural language everyone speaks. In most urban desi homes, activity halts as everyone sits to enjoy a cup of afternoon chai with a snack or two—savory or sweet. Unlike the British-born custom laced with aristocratic etiquette, desi chai get-togethers are a celebration of comfort and connection, filled with the warmth of casual togetherness.

Indian chai time might have begun as a culinary custom of the colonialists—sipping light brews with little bites—but it transformed into a popular tradition enriched by the local culture, with a distinct legacy of its own.

5 Savory tea party food ideas to spice up your menu 

If you’re looking to host a tea party and make it a memorable one for friends, explore your options for Indian tea party food. The English-inspired options, such as sandwiches and other finger foods, tarts, quiches, and scones, may always be the safe choice, but hey, why not add some spice to the menu?

Here are 5 savory tea party foods to serve at your next party—bring tradition and cultural distinctiveness to your gathering as you share a bite of popular Indian chai snacks. 

#1. Samosa with a veggie filling 

No desi tea party is ever complete without the iconic aloo samosa. The wrapper is a perfectly golden, flaky pastry and folds in a nicely seasoned potato filling. It has a crisp exterior and warm, flavorful center, which goes nicely with a cup of chai. 

We recommend you serve it with a tangy tamarind chutney or tomato ketchup if you are not ready to explore the traditional flavors full on. These condiments balance out the richness of the fried samosa and add layers of sweet, mildly spicy, and sour flavors.

Check out Kaiser’s vegetable samosa variety to shop for your tea party food menu—you’ll find them with a potato and herb filling, as well as with a potato and green pea filling, in different sizes, with or without chutney.  

#2. Samosa with a meat-based filling

For protein-based crunchy tea party food, a samosa with seasoned lamb, beef, or chicken filling is a top contender. The crispy wrapper is packed with a savory filling made from minced meat seasoned with herbs and spices. These samosas are great with chai, but you can also serve them with a dipping sauce for a more intricate balance of heat and zest.

The meat samosa is delicious and a favorite across South Asia—perfect for larger gatherings where you want to offer meaty options on the platter. 

Explore Kaiser samosas’ meat-based variety and stay stocked for planned and unplanned rendezvous. Made with all-natural lamb, beef, and chicken, these samosas need minimal time in hot oil or an air-fryer before they’re done. 

#3. Shami kabab

Shami kabab is another timeless desi tea party food item. Made from a slow-cooked mixture of meat and lentils, these tender and rich-in-protein kebabs are an all-time favorite. One of the few kebab types that are not skewered, instead fried, these patties are golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The flavors are complex and rich, the texture is ultra tender, and they are light enough to enjoy with chai. Tomato ketchup is one of the most popular condiments to serve with shami kabab. 

These kebabs can be made from any meat type, beef, lamb, or chicken; however, chicken is the milder and more popular variation. Kaiser Foodline makes shami kababs from chicken and beef—these are fully cooked, and need just a few minutes in a skillet with some oil before they’re ready to serve.   

#4. Chapli kabab

Not too common a choice for a desi tea party food menu, but chapli kababs make an excellent tea-time snack. With roots in the Afghan-Pashtun culture, these kebabs bring bold, rustic flavors to your tea table. They are made with a more fatty cut of meat, ground finely, and seasoned with a simple array of herbs and spices. The mixture, which contains other ingredients like finely chopped onions and tomatoes, is formed into super flat patties and pan-fried. Perfectly crispy around the edges with a juicy center, chapli kebabs pair beautifully with chai. 

Colonel Kababz gives you 2 varieties—chicken and beef chapli kababs. They take minimal time in a skillet before you can enjoy the crispy and succulent spicy treat with a hot cup of chai.  

#5. Veggie spring rolls

If you are looking for a vegetarian tea party food option with a South Asian touch, go with fried vegetable spring rolls. It’s a beloved desi street food that reflects the fusion of Indian and Chinese culinary traditions. 

The super-thin wrappers crisp up nicely when fried, and they are filled with a medley of perfectly sautéed vegetables, making a flavorful snack. Light, crunchy, and super versatile vegetable spring rolls are a pleasant addition to any tea party spread. 

Kaiser’s vegetable spring rolls are a must-have freezer item if you host ‘vegetarian company’ often. With just a few minutes in hot oil, the delicious rolls are ready to serve with sweet chili sauce.  

Also, try Indian chai, not English tea!

The super tender shami and juicy chapli kababs, crispy samosas, and crunchy spring rolls—these are just some of the exciting variety of Indian tea party foods you can serve to share a unique experience of cultural flavors. But you know what! Stretch culinary boundaries, and let these wonderful Indian tea party foods be enjoyed with the popular ‘doodh-patti chai’—the rich, creamy, and sweet Indian tea! 

This adaptation of the English tea with milk and sugar is stronger and sweeter, but not as spicy as the famous masala chai. The thick and creamy doodh-patti chai* is made from whole milk, black tea leaves, sugar, cardamom, and cinnamon. It’s perfect when you pair it with savory Indian tea party foods.  

*This recipe is courtesy of Sarah Mir at flourandspiceblog.com

Concluding words…

Indian tea party food is a novel way of expanding the scope of teatime flavors beyond the parameters set by the English. The British carried this culinary custom to their South Asian colony, but the Indian palate transformed it into a unique local tradition. The hot beverage took new forms, and people started enjoying chai with several sweet and savory desi snack foods. Today, it is one of the most popular ‘excuses’ for people to gather and bond.

Bring the warmth of casual togetherness that is a hallmark of desi chai time to your table. Add Kaiser & Colonel Kababz products to your grocery list, and share the flavors of the Indian chai tradition with friends this weekend. The uniqueness of authentic desi tea party food served with doodh-patti may be the most exciting and memorable culinary experience you’ve had.