Chai love: Asheville embraces India’s ancient healing drink

When ordering a chai in the Western world, a customer may receive any number of concoctions. A simple black tea with spices is one possibility, but it is significantly more likely that the beverage will be prepared with a powdered mix of sugar and corn syrup solids, with tea nowhere to be seen on the ingredient list. Fortunately for Asheville residents, local businesses are taking the making of chai back to the basics.

This weekend on a shoestring

As you’re surely aware, tens of thousands of enthusiastic festival goers will descend upon downtown for the annual Bele Chere festival this weekend. In response, we bring you a host of other options, including outdoor activities, readings, theater and even wrestling, all for little or no cost. However, should you be into that sort of thing, be sure to check out our special Bele Chere edition (online and in print) for a complete guide to the madness.