What do you think?
Rate this book
Hot Tea across India
On Rishad Saam Mehta’s journeys — and as a travel writer and all-round road-trip junkie, he’s been on many — there’s a particular thing he noticed. There’s not a highway, road or dirt track in India where you can’t find a cup of chai whenever you want it. And with those cuppas come encounters and incidents that make travelling in India a fascinating adventure. In this riveting book, which includes stories of honey- and saffron-infused tea shared with a shepherd in Kashmir, and a strong brew that revives the author after almost getting lynched by an irate mob in Kerala, Rishad takes you across the length and breadth of India, from Manali to Munnar, from the Rann of Kutch to Khajuraho, with a wonderful combination of wit, sensitivity and insight.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2011
96 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 29, 2012
#Cross-posted from my blog
For a long time I wanted to read a travelogue – beautiful images and memories captured in one book. Therefore, when BlogAdda gave me an opportunity to review one, I grabbed it. It is another story that how I received it after two weeks. It is better late than never and so here I am, writing a review, after having read the book.
Tea is one beverage that is loved by everyone from the President of India to me sitting in the comfort of my home and writing this review. If you are out of ideas, Tea is a drink, which refreshes you and the ideas come flowing out at a faster pace. Tea is made in different styles across India. Though different in style, one thing is common across everywhere – well-brewed tea is an unmatched refresher.
The book in question has used this marvelous drink as part of its title. One will assume that tea will be the centre of each of the story or anecdote; however, that is not the case. The author has used Tea in various forms in different stories – in some Tea is the protagonist and in others it plays a supporting role while in few others it has been used metaphorically.
The author portrays his experience in a very lucid and simple language and displays a sense of humor that is both pragmatic and pleasurable. The book covers trips, anecdotes and stories in varied lengths. Some trips are short while others are spread over few chapters. The book is not only about trips and tea – it is also about people. He describes various characters across the book – Doltu, a local Himachali lad, Mouneet, a friend and a whiz in computers, and Kapil from NR Cells (Railways) are some who grab attention. Besides, the author has devoted an entire chapter for his Guides across various locations in India – Uncle ‘Mustachioed’ Mukesh at Jaisalmer, the great S.N.Keshav Murthy at the Chennakesava Temple, and Ashutosh Tripathi at Khajurao – are the few about whom he has talked about at good length.
The experiences shared cover all the masalas that are involved in a Bollywood flick– drama, chill, thrill, comedy, action and adventure all are beautifully brewed together and served and presented beautifully.
When I had ordered the book, I had thought since it belongs to Travel genre, it would have some pictures; there is none. I was disappointed to an extent. However, -it is also important to realize that the book is more about style of writing and experiences and not the regular travel description.
Overall, an excellent book for a light read. The book will not take much of your time and you can read it in a go though it does not require to be completed in one sitting. It is a nice book, which can be read while traveling, or just before going to sleep, or waiting for your wife outside her office or wherever you feel like. You do not need to be in a serious reading mode while picking this up. So, grab your copy now and enjoy.
My rating 7/10.
For a long time I wanted to read a travelogue – beautiful images and memories captured in one book. Therefore, when BlogAdda gave me an opportunity to review one, I grabbed it. It is another story that how I received it after two weeks. It is better late than never and so here I am, writing a review, after having read the book.
Tea is one beverage that is loved by everyone from the President of India to me sitting in the comfort of my home and writing this review. If you are out of ideas, Tea is a drink, which refreshes you and the ideas come flowing out at a faster pace. Tea is made in different styles across India. Though different in style, one thing is common across everywhere – well-brewed tea is an unmatched refresher.
The book in question has used this marvelous drink as part of its title. One will assume that tea will be the centre of each of the story or anecdote; however, that is not the case. The author has used Tea in various forms in different stories – in some Tea is the protagonist and in others it plays a supporting role while in few others it has been used metaphorically.
The author portrays his experience in a very lucid and simple language and displays a sense of humor that is both pragmatic and pleasurable. The book covers trips, anecdotes and stories in varied lengths. Some trips are short while others are spread over few chapters. The book is not only about trips and tea – it is also about people. He describes various characters across the book – Doltu, a local Himachali lad, Mouneet, a friend and a whiz in computers, and Kapil from NR Cells (Railways) are some who grab attention. Besides, the author has devoted an entire chapter for his Guides across various locations in India – Uncle ‘Mustachioed’ Mukesh at Jaisalmer, the great S.N.Keshav Murthy at the Chennakesava Temple, and Ashutosh Tripathi at Khajurao – are the few about whom he has talked about at good length.
The experiences shared cover all the masalas that are involved in a Bollywood flick– drama, chill, thrill, comedy, action and adventure all are beautifully brewed together and served and presented beautifully.
When I had ordered the book, I had thought since it belongs to Travel genre, it would have some pictures; there is none. I was disappointed to an extent. However, -it is also important to realize that the book is more about style of writing and experiences and not the regular travel description.
Overall, an excellent book for a light read. The book will not take much of your time and you can read it in a go though it does not require to be completed in one sitting. It is a nice book, which can be read while traveling, or just before going to sleep, or waiting for your wife outside her office or wherever you feel like. You do not need to be in a serious reading mode while picking this up. So, grab your copy now and enjoy.
My rating 7/10.
December 28, 2016
Tea and Travel
It took me 6 years to pick it up and one year to finish it, but that has got nothing to do with the book and it's writing. The book is a must read for a lover of tea, travel and stories about the two. This book could have very well have been written by me or my husband who have done similar adventures across length and breadth of the country savoring tea from lands far away while at it.
From banaras ghats to rann of kutch
From roads of leh to those of munnar
From khajuraho to hampi
And many more travelogues that will stay with us forever.
This book is for anybody who loves the lure of roads and is content with a simple roadside hot cup of tea! That's me!
It took me 6 years to pick it up and one year to finish it, but that has got nothing to do with the book and it's writing. The book is a must read for a lover of tea, travel and stories about the two. This book could have very well have been written by me or my husband who have done similar adventures across length and breadth of the country savoring tea from lands far away while at it.
From banaras ghats to rann of kutch
From roads of leh to those of munnar
From khajuraho to hampi
And many more travelogues that will stay with us forever.
This book is for anybody who loves the lure of roads and is content with a simple roadside hot cup of tea! That's me!
May 23, 2015
This book made me nostalgic through every page and word! Having rode my bike on almost all those roads & places which are mentioned made me re-live those glory days of 2008-09! Almost all the incidents mentioned are super-funny and the writing style seemed like almost the way I wrote my Travel Blogs! I would love to ride my Royal Enfield Bullet Electra with Rishad one day...till the time we meet...Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
May 12, 2022
4/5
A beautiful travelogue. I am sure many readers in India must have identified with the author in some parts along his travels. I sure did. A few similar incidents I faced:
I transported my Bajaj scooter by railways to Ahmedabad and I faced the 'chai-paani' issue at the source as well as destination.. and also trying to find my scooter in the lot that was unloaded. Though I didn't have a grueling time like the author did, I was frustrated enough and after about 6 years when I had to return to my hometown, I decided to ride it. The ride was enjoyable since I made tea-stops meeting some friends along the way in their hometowns.. I had a full day and was in no hurry.. (Those were the days when there were no cell phones at hand!)
I had come across quite a few bikers during my Srinagar-Leh-Manali trip and could see some in bad shape because of AMS. At places, when the rains started suddenly pouring, many bikers didn't have enough time to put on their raincoats and I felt sad for them. Some had difficulty in crossing wider streams when I saw other bikers help them get their bikes through. I even met one person who had managed to pass all the passes with his Bajaj scooter!
In Sikkim, we encountered ice-sheets on the road (the snow-turned-into-ice) and the SUV we had hired started to skid towards the edge as the author describes. It was the most frightening moment for us..
A beautiful travelogue. I am sure many readers in India must have identified with the author in some parts along his travels. I sure did. A few similar incidents I faced:
I transported my Bajaj scooter by railways to Ahmedabad and I faced the 'chai-paani' issue at the source as well as destination.. and also trying to find my scooter in the lot that was unloaded. Though I didn't have a grueling time like the author did, I was frustrated enough and after about 6 years when I had to return to my hometown, I decided to ride it. The ride was enjoyable since I made tea-stops meeting some friends along the way in their hometowns.. I had a full day and was in no hurry.. (Those were the days when there were no cell phones at hand!)
I had come across quite a few bikers during my Srinagar-Leh-Manali trip and could see some in bad shape because of AMS. At places, when the rains started suddenly pouring, many bikers didn't have enough time to put on their raincoats and I felt sad for them. Some had difficulty in crossing wider streams when I saw other bikers help them get their bikes through. I even met one person who had managed to pass all the passes with his Bajaj scooter!
In Sikkim, we encountered ice-sheets on the road (the snow-turned-into-ice) and the SUV we had hired started to skid towards the edge as the author describes. It was the most frightening moment for us..
December 15, 2014
There are times when you read a book and put yourself in the shoes of the writer. This gets very entertaining if the book you are reading is a travelogue and the writer has had interesting (and a few life-threatening experiences). Hot Tea across India is a book where the author goes quite a bit across India (well the Himalayas form a major part of the book) and shares his unique experiences as a traveler (while on work) at these places. The result is an easily readable piece of nonfiction, which can sure serve as a travel catalogue for the adventurous.
Upon beginning the book, I constantly compared it to the other travelogue I read recently, Following Fish, and it was indeed an unfair thing on my part to do so. After I was able to shrug the hangover of FF off, this book became an enjoyable read. Having traveled a lot across India in the last eight months (though not as much as the author) I am now tempted to pen a blogpost titles 'Finding Filter Coffee across India.'
Upon beginning the book, I constantly compared it to the other travelogue I read recently, Following Fish, and it was indeed an unfair thing on my part to do so. After I was able to shrug the hangover of FF off, this book became an enjoyable read. Having traveled a lot across India in the last eight months (though not as much as the author) I am now tempted to pen a blogpost titles 'Finding Filter Coffee across India.'
February 20, 2020
This is more like reading a blog - humorous, a bit eloquent and peppered with lots of tales of travelling in India. Most of the book is about the author's travels in the Himalayas and after some time, it starts getting a bit monotonous. The South and the East are largely neglected except for one chapter in the end which is more like an afterthought. The book serves the armchair travellers well. You want to travel and go through the same experiences which Rishad describes so effortlessly. However, the title of the book is a misnomer. This is no tale about tea in India or it's culinary journeys but more of a blog.
November 15, 2020
A delightful read!
December 16, 2024
'If there is one certainty about roads in India, it is that - no matter where you are or what the hour is - if you want a cup of tea, you'll find a chai ka dukaan within a few kilometers'.
A cup of chai can start a thousand adventures. Yes it really can. Read this wonderful travelogue by Rishad Saam Mehta and in love with the adventures/ misadventures (I loved that ‘pops’,‘bangs’ and ‘squeaks’ of stomach in front of a ‘dhaba’ :P) mentioned in the book. It was the title and an attractive cover that made me to lay my hands on the book. Initially I thought it is a book about different kind of teas served in various parts of India. I was right only to some extent. Yes it definitely tells about the variety of tea, whether the material used or the way of brewing it. This book is about the author’s obsession with travelling on any available source of travelling (bus, truck, bullet, and car) and exploring lands, and while doing so drinking tea as he and his friends go along journeys over periods of time. Tea is something which is available anywhere in India. Itis almost the staple or national drink of the sub-continent and it is around this that the author weaves his travelogue. Tea as tasted across his journeys.This chai can be the bribe; it could make him more friends on the way to a secluded place, or could be the kindhearted expression of a watchman who comforts the drenched author on his stormy afternoon. Through his buffalo's milk straight from source to LUXAREY bus to guides in khajuraho and Halebid, one moves with the author experiencing the same anxiety and urgency through the travel. Hot Tea Across India is a book all travelers would have dreamed of being a part of. After all, who wouldn’t want to just pack their bags, hop on to their Bullet and take off for the mountains? The first thing when you open the book you will read contents. The book has amusing chapter names, (TheBike Bandit, Respect the road, Thoda Chai Paani, May we please kindly burn your car etc etc etc). They make the book sound fun. This book came across as a scribbling diary of traveler because it is more than just adventurous travels. There are chapters dedicated to chefs, guides, guns, bus chase and animals, he encounters in his travels. All these mentions and stories around them make this book very warm and lovely. If you love to travel and if you love India you will enjoy this book immensely. From being ‘out-foxed’ by the wild-asses in the Raan of Kutch, to being politely asked by a protest group in Kerala whether he and his car could be torched, Rishad Saam Mehta regales you with tales of his travels. Hot Tea Across India is one book I am truly proud to own –after all, I know for sure, that I will return to the book, and read a couple of chapters whenever I need a strong push to travel, or to even a pick-me-up with a heartfelt laugh when I’m low.
A cup of chai can start a thousand adventures. Yes it really can. Read this wonderful travelogue by Rishad Saam Mehta and in love with the adventures/ misadventures (I loved that ‘pops’,‘bangs’ and ‘squeaks’ of stomach in front of a ‘dhaba’ :P) mentioned in the book. It was the title and an attractive cover that made me to lay my hands on the book. Initially I thought it is a book about different kind of teas served in various parts of India. I was right only to some extent. Yes it definitely tells about the variety of tea, whether the material used or the way of brewing it. This book is about the author’s obsession with travelling on any available source of travelling (bus, truck, bullet, and car) and exploring lands, and while doing so drinking tea as he and his friends go along journeys over periods of time. Tea is something which is available anywhere in India. Itis almost the staple or national drink of the sub-continent and it is around this that the author weaves his travelogue. Tea as tasted across his journeys.This chai can be the bribe; it could make him more friends on the way to a secluded place, or could be the kindhearted expression of a watchman who comforts the drenched author on his stormy afternoon. Through his buffalo's milk straight from source to LUXAREY bus to guides in khajuraho and Halebid, one moves with the author experiencing the same anxiety and urgency through the travel. Hot Tea Across India is a book all travelers would have dreamed of being a part of. After all, who wouldn’t want to just pack their bags, hop on to their Bullet and take off for the mountains? The first thing when you open the book you will read contents. The book has amusing chapter names, (TheBike Bandit, Respect the road, Thoda Chai Paani, May we please kindly burn your car etc etc etc). They make the book sound fun. This book came across as a scribbling diary of traveler because it is more than just adventurous travels. There are chapters dedicated to chefs, guides, guns, bus chase and animals, he encounters in his travels. All these mentions and stories around them make this book very warm and lovely. If you love to travel and if you love India you will enjoy this book immensely. From being ‘out-foxed’ by the wild-asses in the Raan of Kutch, to being politely asked by a protest group in Kerala whether he and his car could be torched, Rishad Saam Mehta regales you with tales of his travels. Hot Tea Across India is one book I am truly proud to own –after all, I know for sure, that I will return to the book, and read a couple of chapters whenever I need a strong push to travel, or to even a pick-me-up with a heartfelt laugh when I’m low.
February 9, 2017
3.5 stars
As a travel book, this book is great. Perfect armchair travelling for readers like me. Rishad's narration is humorous and engaging. His descriptions of the mountain trips are alluring and makes me want to go trekking/holidaying/camping immediately.
But if you want to evaluate the book based on its title, it falls short heavily. Tea isn't the main focus, journeys and stories are; the book does not cover eastern India at all and southern India only sparsely touched upon (one experience of hartal in Munnar and another of a visit to Belur-Halebid temples in Karnataka). This is a typical north Indian/Pahadi travelogue.
I have one more grouse with the writer's description of coffee vs tea in Kerala - sir, Kerala is not a filter coffee-drinking state, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are. I am a coffee lover and a Malayali: yet every time I go to Kerala I have to adjust to instant coffees, blase boiled coffees and in many occasions, tea because the coffee looks or smells terrible. I can find filter coffees only in hotels and Tamil-dominated areas. Please visit Kerala once more and check!
As a travel book, this book is great. Perfect armchair travelling for readers like me. Rishad's narration is humorous and engaging. His descriptions of the mountain trips are alluring and makes me want to go trekking/holidaying/camping immediately.
But if you want to evaluate the book based on its title, it falls short heavily. Tea isn't the main focus, journeys and stories are; the book does not cover eastern India at all and southern India only sparsely touched upon (one experience of hartal in Munnar and another of a visit to Belur-Halebid temples in Karnataka). This is a typical north Indian/Pahadi travelogue.
I have one more grouse with the writer's description of coffee vs tea in Kerala - sir, Kerala is not a filter coffee-drinking state, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are. I am a coffee lover and a Malayali: yet every time I go to Kerala I have to adjust to instant coffees, blase boiled coffees and in many occasions, tea because the coffee looks or smells terrible. I can find filter coffees only in hotels and Tamil-dominated areas. Please visit Kerala once more and check!
July 21, 2015
Initially I thought that it is a book about different kind of teas served in various parts of India, boy was I glad to be wrong.
Hot Tea Across India is actually a travelogue where Rishad a well-known and widely published travel writer takes you for a roller coaster ride from the heights of Himalayas to the fights of Kerala. In the process you are treated with some of the finest, sweet as sherbet and invigorating garam dhaba chai Rishad takes you on a wonderful journey from Leh to all the way to Kanyakumari with some great Tea Stops where the true desi Chai is served.
Hot Tea Across India is actually a travelogue where Rishad a well-known and widely published travel writer takes you for a roller coaster ride from the heights of Himalayas to the fights of Kerala. In the process you are treated with some of the finest, sweet as sherbet and invigorating garam dhaba chai Rishad takes you on a wonderful journey from Leh to all the way to Kanyakumari with some great Tea Stops where the true desi Chai is served.
February 2, 2016
The author set out to accomplish a humble goal: compile an anecdotal diary of some of his travels. But most of the humour is forced and to add to the reader's misery, the situations seem concocted as well. The writing isn't flowing as a travelogue ought to be. If you are looking to read a travelogue on India, I suggest you give this a pass and pick a book by William Dalrymple or V.S. Naipaul instead.
June 8, 2016
Enjoyable. The author has travelled across India through various modes of travel including hitchhiking on a truck. In this book he narrates his experience through anecdotes, most of them hilarious. He is a Indian dhaba style tea addict. Tea properly boiled with milk, sugar, ginger/cardamom, and some more is his rejuvenation drink. It is tea that binds his stories together. An Indian will find the scenarios familiar.
November 22, 2013
Each chapter of the book is a short story in itself. They make for a decent read but the author doesn't have much of a writing style and the book is filled with cliches and failed attempts to be humorous. Unless you have absolutely nothing to read, don't bother with this book.
February 7, 2018
Super and nicely written travelogues. Inspires one to make many a road trip across the length and breadth of our wonderful country. His use of wit and humour in the portrayal of situations and related analogies is great fun to read.
February 26, 2017
The book gets better after the fifth chapter.
October 10, 2019
Tbh, I did not know what to expect. I have never been much of a traveller and my adventures have been limited to international trips I'd rather not talk about here. Would I be disappointed? Would this turn out to be one of those books of mine that make me wonder what made me purchase them in the first place? Questions like these were filling up my head.
Hot Tea Across India was Rishad Mehta 's first book, which was then followed by two more. A short profile at the beginning of the book calls him a travel writer and a photographer. I hoped for the best and crossing my fingers, jumped in!
Let me describe the setting. I was at Starbucks...ordered my regular, a Cappuccino, and started sipping on the words along with my coffee. I always take few pages to understand the author's style of writing and his wit quotient (or lack thereof). Once I had that down pat, the sipping of words transformed into guzzling. If I love the book I am reading, my words-per-minute speed can reach escape velocity. And that is what happened in this case.
I love Rishad's sense of humour and the way he can make you fall in love with his written words. His years of travel writing just shine through in each and every page. He doesn't just write about the roads or highways to take or the interesting stops he had tea at or the places to visit, but he goes beyond all that. I cracked up when I read about his advice on pooping outdoors and was shitting bricks while reading about his Raid De Himalaya experience (that he won by the way). He lent a personal touch to each place he wrote about, instilling feelings that ranged from ROTFL to my heart beating against my rib cage.
I can say with absolute conviction that I am definitely picking up his other two books, because I do not have the heart to venture out and experience half the things that he has. I am happy flipping through the pages.
And Rishad, we need details on Amanda and Khajuraho!
For those who haven't read this book already, pick it up and find out about this explorer's travels.
Hot Tea Across India was Rishad Mehta 's first book, which was then followed by two more. A short profile at the beginning of the book calls him a travel writer and a photographer. I hoped for the best and crossing my fingers, jumped in!
Let me describe the setting. I was at Starbucks...ordered my regular, a Cappuccino, and started sipping on the words along with my coffee. I always take few pages to understand the author's style of writing and his wit quotient (or lack thereof). Once I had that down pat, the sipping of words transformed into guzzling. If I love the book I am reading, my words-per-minute speed can reach escape velocity. And that is what happened in this case.
I love Rishad's sense of humour and the way he can make you fall in love with his written words. His years of travel writing just shine through in each and every page. He doesn't just write about the roads or highways to take or the interesting stops he had tea at or the places to visit, but he goes beyond all that. I cracked up when I read about his advice on pooping outdoors and was shitting bricks while reading about his Raid De Himalaya experience (that he won by the way). He lent a personal touch to each place he wrote about, instilling feelings that ranged from ROTFL to my heart beating against my rib cage.
I can say with absolute conviction that I am definitely picking up his other two books, because I do not have the heart to venture out and experience half the things that he has. I am happy flipping through the pages.
And Rishad, we need details on Amanda and Khajuraho!
For those who haven't read this book already, pick it up and find out about this explorer's travels.
December 27, 2020
A perfectly pleasant journey...
2020 was to be my year to travel to Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including the subcontinent India. And then...COVID.
There exist a plethora of books about travels across India, mostly describing the more commonly visited destinations of the many temples, bazaars and high-end beaches in or near the larger cities, or even the magnificent views to be had in the mountainous regions. Lovely suggestions for the majority of tourists. Descriptive suggestions.
But this book is a travel journal. Rishad Mehta has not only shared the beauty of India's "roads less traveled", but he has figuratively invited us to climb astride his bike behind him and carried us along on his journey to experience the simple pleasures, the discomforts, excitement, awe, frights and even aggravations of his journey. We are invited to join conversations over chai, make new acquaintances, run with him in the wake of the disastrous aftermath of a cup of milk tea (raw BUFFALO milk chai), learn choice bits of history, myths and legends under starry skies. We suffer altitude sickness with him, awaken to glorious Himalayan mornings and even learn to prepare a delicious mutton dish over campfire.
Unlike some reviewers, I was not in the least 'mislead' by the title, "Hot Tea Across India", about the subject matter of the book (I believe that's what summaries and "Description"s are for??!). Regardless of the situation, each experience he shares - pleasant, hair raising or exciting - seems to begin with the sharing of a cup of chai.
I would recommend Hot Tea Across India for dreamers (like me), seasoned travelers or arm chair travelers who have been homebound in 2020 who missed their travel window this year.
2020 was to be my year to travel to Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including the subcontinent India. And then...COVID.
There exist a plethora of books about travels across India, mostly describing the more commonly visited destinations of the many temples, bazaars and high-end beaches in or near the larger cities, or even the magnificent views to be had in the mountainous regions. Lovely suggestions for the majority of tourists. Descriptive suggestions.
But this book is a travel journal. Rishad Mehta has not only shared the beauty of India's "roads less traveled", but he has figuratively invited us to climb astride his bike behind him and carried us along on his journey to experience the simple pleasures, the discomforts, excitement, awe, frights and even aggravations of his journey. We are invited to join conversations over chai, make new acquaintances, run with him in the wake of the disastrous aftermath of a cup of milk tea (raw BUFFALO milk chai), learn choice bits of history, myths and legends under starry skies. We suffer altitude sickness with him, awaken to glorious Himalayan mornings and even learn to prepare a delicious mutton dish over campfire.
Unlike some reviewers, I was not in the least 'mislead' by the title, "Hot Tea Across India", about the subject matter of the book (I believe that's what summaries and "Description"s are for??!). Regardless of the situation, each experience he shares - pleasant, hair raising or exciting - seems to begin with the sharing of a cup of chai.
I would recommend Hot Tea Across India for dreamers (like me), seasoned travelers or arm chair travelers who have been homebound in 2020 who missed their travel window this year.
November 14, 2016
Unhappily ends my frantic search for and reading ‘Hot Tea Across India’.
First, it is NOT about hot tea across the length and breadth of India and is only confined to northern India, an anecdote from Maharashtra and a very hurried and puny anecdote from God’s Own Country, Kerala. No Darjeeling, no Assam, no clay cups of tea that you see in Eastern India and the title read hot tea across India! Not that I was looking for a book on rambling discussions about tea and the magical conversations that are indispensable with a cuppa but I had imagined that tea would be the protagonist in this book. Sadly, tea has been reduced to a side-kick. The author must have thought, ‘Shoot! I missed mentioning a cup of tea. So let me just add a quick line or two’.
‘Hot Tea Across India’ is anything about tea and everything about journeys across the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh, a tale of tiger spotting at a national park in Central India, chasing wild donkeys in the Rann of Kutch. More so the author only likes the sweet tea brewed in milk and with a gracious helping of masala. Being a tea aficionado I’m appalled! How can someone not appreciate the aroma of black tea, kahwa tea from Kashmir, lemon tea from Bengal! If you are looking for a light read, a book on road trip through the Himalayan terrain this is certainly one book you should read. But if you were looking for something otherwise, my friend, you were tricked on a journey across parts of India sans tea.
All I wish for is renaming the book to ‘Travelling Across Northern India: Bikes, Cars, Food and An Occasional Cup Of Tea’. Period.
First, it is NOT about hot tea across the length and breadth of India and is only confined to northern India, an anecdote from Maharashtra and a very hurried and puny anecdote from God’s Own Country, Kerala. No Darjeeling, no Assam, no clay cups of tea that you see in Eastern India and the title read hot tea across India! Not that I was looking for a book on rambling discussions about tea and the magical conversations that are indispensable with a cuppa but I had imagined that tea would be the protagonist in this book. Sadly, tea has been reduced to a side-kick. The author must have thought, ‘Shoot! I missed mentioning a cup of tea. So let me just add a quick line or two’.
‘Hot Tea Across India’ is anything about tea and everything about journeys across the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh, a tale of tiger spotting at a national park in Central India, chasing wild donkeys in the Rann of Kutch. More so the author only likes the sweet tea brewed in milk and with a gracious helping of masala. Being a tea aficionado I’m appalled! How can someone not appreciate the aroma of black tea, kahwa tea from Kashmir, lemon tea from Bengal! If you are looking for a light read, a book on road trip through the Himalayan terrain this is certainly one book you should read. But if you were looking for something otherwise, my friend, you were tricked on a journey across parts of India sans tea.
All I wish for is renaming the book to ‘Travelling Across Northern India: Bikes, Cars, Food and An Occasional Cup Of Tea’. Period.
April 21, 2019
Hot Tea across India by Rishad Saam Mehta is an enjoyable and funny travelogue. The author travels across India (mostly North India) and describes his adventures like river rafting in Rishikesh, solo bike (Bullet) ride to Leh in Ladakh, camping at Chandra Tal (Lake of the Moon in Spiti part of Himachal Pradesh), spotting wild animals (including a Tiger) in Pench National Park (the forest that inspired the story of Jungle book's Mowgli), the Raid de Himalaya rally (one of the most gruelling rally-raids held in the world). Some chapters mention his funny and lively interactions with the local people, particularly with guides of Chennakesava temple (Karnataka) and Jaisalmer Fort (Rajasthan). Foods from the various road side dhabas and the famous Kashmiri dishes are also described in detail. The common theme in his various travelling experiences is enjoying the unique types of hot tea (be it cutting chai, kulhad tea or masala chai), since one would definitely find a tea stall at every part of India. So grab a hot cup of chai and enjoy reading this book!
November 5, 2018
🍵TEA ANYONE?
@rishadmehta 's HOT TEA ACROSS INDIA serves the beat tea at the worst of times.
........
🚛The author will take you to some exotic places in unconventional transports, all the while halting for tea (whose milk comes from unknown sources) at roadside dhabas which are probably run by grumpy ex-dacoits and he will also serve you food made by nomadic tribesmen of the hills who uses riverside herbs and natural flowing water in their cooking.
......
🐃 The book is a collection of short (and few very short) stories. Each and every chapter is hilarious and exciting; a beautiful combination of wit, sensibility & insight. I finished it in one sitting.
......
😈 Fair warning: After reading this book you may want to embark on a road trip across India but believe me, as I have told myself, "Let Mr. Mehta do all the crazy stuffs." ......
🙈🙉🙊 This book is among those rare breed of literatures which you can reread a number of times and still laugh your heart out.
Must read for everyone.
@rishadmehta 's HOT TEA ACROSS INDIA serves the beat tea at the worst of times.
........
🚛The author will take you to some exotic places in unconventional transports, all the while halting for tea (whose milk comes from unknown sources) at roadside dhabas which are probably run by grumpy ex-dacoits and he will also serve you food made by nomadic tribesmen of the hills who uses riverside herbs and natural flowing water in their cooking.
......
🐃 The book is a collection of short (and few very short) stories. Each and every chapter is hilarious and exciting; a beautiful combination of wit, sensibility & insight. I finished it in one sitting.
......
😈 Fair warning: After reading this book you may want to embark on a road trip across India but believe me, as I have told myself, "Let Mr. Mehta do all the crazy stuffs." ......
🙈🙉🙊 This book is among those rare breed of literatures which you can reread a number of times and still laugh your heart out.
Must read for everyone.
April 4, 2021
Rishad Saam Mehta. “Hot Tea Across India.”
Prompt- A flavour in the title!
Tea! Chai! And it's myriad flavours!
Unity in diversity - that's the USP of India. And Sam Mehta uses it tell the delightful tales of his travels across India. The ubiquitous cup of tea, Chai, with its myriad flavours, binds his road trips across India.
Somewhere in the middle, he forgets his tea treats and continues with his enthralling and delightful travel tales, through some of the most picturesque places in India. This book is inhabited by all sorts of people, evoking in the reader, a sense of gratefulness and goodness in the human spirit. Narrated with ease and simplicity, Rishad is an engaging storyteller. Along with him, I also enjoyed all the road trips!
Prompt- A flavour in the title!
Tea! Chai! And it's myriad flavours!
Unity in diversity - that's the USP of India. And Sam Mehta uses it tell the delightful tales of his travels across India. The ubiquitous cup of tea, Chai, with its myriad flavours, binds his road trips across India.
Somewhere in the middle, he forgets his tea treats and continues with his enthralling and delightful travel tales, through some of the most picturesque places in India. This book is inhabited by all sorts of people, evoking in the reader, a sense of gratefulness and goodness in the human spirit. Narrated with ease and simplicity, Rishad is an engaging storyteller. Along with him, I also enjoyed all the road trips!
May 27, 2021
The author uses tea as a vehicle to describe his travels. I found that innovative. The first quarter of the book is a series of short stories. Then, half of the book is a single, long episode split into multiple chapters. The final quarter of the book is again a collection of unconnected short stories. Some of the chapters have multiple super-short stories. A few chapters have nothing to do with travel or tea. Sometimes the same trip is written about with different modes of private transport. There are three different stories about the author's trip from Manali to Leh. It's a strange book. Is it a book of super-short stories? Is it a book of short stories? Or is it a travelogue of a single journey? You decide.
August 5, 2017
The whole idea behind putting in all his experiences travelling around India in words has worked well for the author. I loved the way the story started and how it lead to various events and stuff. But after a point I felt the whole experience was being repetative.
Also, this was the first travel book I ever read. So, my judgements could be wrong.
Read this book for fine travel scenes and a good authorship.
Also, this was the first travel book I ever read. So, my judgements could be wrong.
Read this book for fine travel scenes and a good authorship.
September 28, 2019
Charming travelogue of an Indian journalist and his travels for work and pleasure throughout India. Stopping at a roadside tea vendor or tea house during his treks is his common practice and the teas he is served and his amusing encounters with locals at the tea shops are the mortar that binds his stories together. I especially enjoyed his tales of traveling through the Himalayas. This book is refreshing like a cuppa chai masala with milk and sugar.
May 4, 2020
I will say that this book is fun to read.
Chai – the Indian version of hot, sweet, sticky tea is endemic to India. Many of us cannot go far without having one.
Rishad’s travels and his association with chai makes for an enjoyable book and light to read. The stories are short and are full of light humour.
I can identify with some of his stories. He is an avid traveller and brings a light-hearted view to his journeys.
May his tribe prosper.
I enjoyed the book.
Chai – the Indian version of hot, sweet, sticky tea is endemic to India. Many of us cannot go far without having one.
Rishad’s travels and his association with chai makes for an enjoyable book and light to read. The stories are short and are full of light humour.
I can identify with some of his stories. He is an avid traveller and brings a light-hearted view to his journeys.
May his tribe prosper.
I enjoyed the book.
July 14, 2020
Breezy stories about travels all over India esp in the northern highly climes. Each an anecdote about a stretch of a journey revolving around an interesting anecdote. Makes you want to visit the place and especially meet the people. Feel a lot jealous about the author. Some might keep saying if only i had a job like that in which i could take off whenever I felt but then no one else is interested to give you life memories except your self so take off
July 16, 2017
A fun read about author's experiences around India, writing for the most part is very engaging and well written with blends of humour and satire in difficult situations faced in different circumstances. Although Most part of the book is based on North India with just the last chapter dedicated to south would love to have a second follow up for it.
February 23, 2019
This one is unlike any travel book. It weaves the author's love for tea with some fantastic writing about his travel. I can just imagine so many of the scenes he describes because he wrote them so well. I read this on Kindle for free but bought a physical copy later since I really want to own a copy of this book. It's going to be great to dip into this book for a refreshing read.
March 23, 2023
Loved this book. Found it when I was looking at guide books to countries.
Even though I lived in India for the first 28 years of my life and still visit once a year. I had never been to the places mentioned in Rishad's book and I loved the places he traveled to and the pictures he painted of the places and activity.
Even though I lived in India for the first 28 years of my life and still visit once a year. I had never been to the places mentioned in Rishad's book and I loved the places he traveled to and the pictures he painted of the places and activity.
February 1, 2017
It's not very ordered, is something that made me wonder what's happening in the book in quite a few places, almost through the book. Other than that, it's well written and interesting in most places.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews