Cha, Cha, Cha!

When it's just after lunch and a little way before dinner, expect a Bangladeshi to invite you for “cha-nashta”. This generally means you will be served an assortment of biscuits, sweets, perhaps some samosas, to go along with a steaming cup of tea. During the office, expect Bangladeshi colleagues to come and invite you for a “cha break”. If you are travelling over long distances, expect the Bangladeshi next to you to stop the car in the middle of nowhere, just for a cup of tea. After all, tea is a big part of our culture and has been since the 1800s. Back then, even wild tea was available, evidence that this land was indeed divinely blessed by tea. Thus a Bangladeshi tea party rightfully ought to be one of our biggest celebrations. Forget brunch and the three set eating times. Tea time is a meal time all on its own and this week we go dot the Is and cross the Ts of creating a memorable tea party! Star Lifestyle columnist Selina Parvin guides you through the process!