India, May 20 -- :

"Kadak, strong and comforting", that's how Isha Koppikar describes her perfect cup of chai. On International Tea Day, the actor opens up about her love for tea, the memories tied to it, and why, for her, chai is more emotion than beverage.

"My perfect cup of chai has to instantly feel like home," she says, adding that while she enjoys classic Indian chai with ginger and elaichi, she also likes experimenting with flavours depending on her mood. "I don't take sugar, so elaichi gives me that sweetness. Sometimes I add lemongrass, black pepper, cinnamon or even rosemary, especially during the monsoons when you need that extra warmth."

Yet nothing replaces the comfort of simple ghar ki chai with biscuits. For Isha, 4 pm i...