Tea cake is the Indian answer to a plain sponge, sold in slices and built specifically for eating with chai rather than as a dessert.

Soft, mildly sweet, slightly vanilla. It does not compete with the tea.

Have it at breakfast, in a lunchbox, or in the afternoon when something small is required. It keeps well in the packet, which is why it turns up on so many kitchen shelves.

Stocked at Curry Corner, North Melbourne.