Time was when tea on trains had two variants: plastic cup or clay pot. But all that is set to change now, with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) joining hands with a leading tea cafe chain. Now, passengers travelling in the Indian railways can choose from more than 25 types of tea, which can further be customised in over 12,000 ways.
Old winter morning favourites like ‘desi chai’ and the ubiquitous kulhar brew will be available, of course, but IRCTC passengers can also choose from a wide range of teas flavours like ‘hari mirch’, ‘adrak tulsi’ and, believe it or not, aam-papad, to make their travel a culinary experience as well.
According to a report in One India, IRCTC has tied up with tea company Chaayos for the endeavour, and has also launched a mobile phone app for customers.
"The steaming cup of tea, an inseparable part of any train journey, is going to be tastier and customised in choicest flavours… Another good news for rail passengers is that we have decided to give 10% cash back offer on e-catering orders of over ₹300," Arun Kumar Manocha, chairman, IRCTC told the Times of India.
However, you need to order your tea two hours before the train's arrival time, according to One India:
- By logging on to:https://www.ecatering.irctc.co.in/eCatering/
- Or calling: 1800 1034 139