Hand-blended masala chai

Garam Chai by Shipra

Simmered the way it is at home.

Tea, milk, a little sugar and a generous pinch of warm spices. Every box carries a QR code into The Chai Universe: a quiz, a game and a passport, all on your phone and nothing collected.

Scanned a box? Start here See how it brews

From the kettle to the cup

How a cup of chai comes together

  1. Water and tea

    Water comes to the boil and the black tea goes in. The water turns a deep amber.

  2. The masala

    A generous pinch of warm spices, and the kitchen starts to smell like chai.

  3. Milk

    In goes the milk, and the amber turns the colour chai is known for.

  4. A little sugar

    Or none at all. Every kitchen decides for itself.

  5. Simmer

    Let it rise, let it settle, let it rise again, until the lid starts to rattle.

  6. Pour

    Pour it from up high into kulhads, the little clay cups, and serve it garam.

An illustrated street chai stall at dusk: brass kettles steaming on a clay counter beside stacks of kulhads, under a bulb and a marigold garland, the street beyond

Brewed slow, poured garam.

On railway platforms, at street corners and in kitchens across India, chai is how a guest is welcomed and how a day gets going.

Chai spices & their benefits

Aromas, flavors & wellness heritage

  • Rose petals

    Floral & delicate.

    In herbal practice, believed to cool and soothe.

  • Green cardamom

    Sweet & citrusy.

    Studied for inflammation and oxidative stress.

  • Black cardamom

    Smoky & earthy.

    Valued in Ayurveda for digestive comfort.

  • Fennel seeds

    Mellow & naturally sweet.

    Fennel preparations are studied for period-pain relief.

  • Cloves

    Bold & warming.

    A long history in dental pain care.

  • Black pepper

    Sharp & gently fiery.

    Piperine extracts can aid absorption of certain compounds.

  • Cinnamon

    Sweet & woody.

    Explored for blood-sugar support; evidence varies.

  • Nutmeg

    Nutty & softly sweet.

    In customary use, believed to encourage restful sleep.

  • Star anise

    Sweet & licorice-like.

    Used in herbal practice for bloating and spasms.

  • Dry ginger

    Zesty & warming.

    Ginger preparations may ease nausea and menstrual cramps.

Inspired by Ayurvedic heritage. Research on individual spices varies; benefits depend on preparation and amount.

Studies often use extracts or supplements rather than chai.

Illustrated whole chai spices on a dark board around a brass bowl of black tea: star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, dried ginger, nutmeg, fennel and rose petals

Inside the Chai Universe

Scan the box, then play

  1. Chai DNASix quick questions, five chai personalities: are you an Elaichi Dreamer or a Cutting Chai Hustler?
  2. Catch the MasalaA 60-second arcade game. Earn spice stars and badges.
  3. Chai PassportYour stars and badges, yours to export or delete. Nothing leaves your phone.

Fun Chai Facts

Something to sip on.

  1. A little chai vocabulary

    Chai means tea. Masala chai means spiced tea. Garam chai means hot tea.

  2. A warm welcome: chai-pani

    Literally “tea and water.” In many Indian homes, offering chai-pani is a way to welcome guests and offer refreshments.

  3. All aboard for chai

    Railway vendors across India helped make chai part of the journey.

  4. Every kitchen, its own blend

    Spices and proportions vary from home to home. No two family recipes need to be the same.

  5. A cup by many names

    Adrak chai has ginger. Elaichi chai has cardamom. Masala chai brings a mix of spices.

  6. Brewed with patience

    Tea, milk, sugar and spices often simmer together for a rich, comforting cup.

An illustrated kulhad of frothy masala chai on a brass saucer with a star anise and cinnamon stick, steam rising, string lights glowing behind

Garam chai means hot tea

Your cup is ready.

Scan the QR code on your box to step into The Chai Universe, or come and say hello on Instagram.

Enter the Chai Universe Follow @garamchaibyshipra