The chai effect: How a colonial brew became India’s soul drink

By Admin

22 May, 2025

On International Tea Day, let’s pause for a moment — not just to sip our steaming cup of chai, but to reflect on how this humble brew journeyed from British plantations to becoming India’s emotional and cultural cornerstone. Whether it's the rhythmic clinking of glasses at a roadside stall or the cozy comfort of a kitchen kettle, chai is not just a beverage — it’s an emotion.

Chai: More Than Just a Drink

Picture this: a tea vendor swirling chai back and forth between two glasses, creating that perfect froth as its fragrance dances through the air. That “wah” moment — the first sip — is what makes chai so universally beloved across India. Today, chai is a daily ritual, a symbol of warmth and welcome, and a drink that transcends all social boundaries.

From British Roots to Indian Rituals

Chai’s story begins under British colonial rule, when tea was first introduced in India as part of an economic strategy. The British aimed to cultivate a new market, distributing free samples and building tea plantations across Assam and Darjeeling. While the intent was profit, the result was something far greater: a lifelong love affair between Indians and tea.

Over the years, chai morphed from a colonial commodity into a cultural necessity. No longer just “tea,” it became a rich, spicy, and milky brew — paired often with roti and relished from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. What once was a British import now thrives as a symbol of Indian hospitality and comfort.

A Healing Cup: Tea as Medicine

Long before modern wellness trends, Indians turned to chai for its healing properties. From ginger-laced kadak chai for colds to tulsi-infused brews for energy, tea has always been part of traditional Indian remedies. Today, this heritage has been reimagined in the form of herbal blends, Ayurvedic infusions, and green teas that dominate wellness shelves — offering both flavor and function.

The Business of Brewing Bonds

Tea is a social glue in India — a silent companion to countless conversations. Whether it’s office gossip over a tea break, a street-side chat with friends, or business negotiations over a cuppa, chai fuels connections and commerce.

Tea stalls — often family-run micro-enterprises — represent grassroots entrepreneurship, especially in small towns and rural India. These humble setups serve thousands daily and are often the heartbeat of local communities.

Chai in Politics and Public Life

Chai has even brewed its way into India’s political narrative. Political rallies and speeches are incomplete without the ubiquitous cup of tea. And perhaps the most iconic chai story of all — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who once sold tea at a railway station, before rising to the highest office in the country. His ‘chaiwallah to PM’ journey reflects not just personal grit but also the deep symbolic power of chai in India's social and political consciousness.

Chai on the Global Map, with an Indian Identity

Across the world, tea has its own avatars — British black tea, Japanese matcha, Moroccan mint. Yet, Indian chai stands out. Spicy, sweet, milky, and full of character, it is as bold as it is comforting. Chai is India — in taste, in texture, in tradition.

So this International Tea Day, let’s raise our glass (or kulhad) to chai — a drink that tells the story of our past, celebrates our present, and steeps into every part of our culture. Because in every cup of chai, there’s a little bit of India.