Our Story

Viraj grew up in Mumbai, where masala chai was part of everyday life - a ritual built on bold flavors, habit, and shared moments. When he moved to the U.S., he noticed that chai was everywhere on coffee shop menus. Yet, they seldom carried those original qualities and were often too sweet and lacking spice.

Michael didn’t grow up with chai, but after drinking real masala chai with Viraj, he noticed the same disconnect. Much of the chai available in the U.S. felt like a sugary imitation, lacking both depth and cultural context (true of tea drinks in general). The two bonded over food, hospitality, and tea, and began to ask: could they bring something closer to the real experience to a wider audience?

A shared value

As they got to know each other, they also saw how much their cultures had in common. Though they came from different backgrounds, Viraj and Michael shared a deep respect for hospitality, welcoming others, and the rituals around tea - things often missing from Western chai.

Chai isn't just a drink - it's a pause in the day.

Most people know the word ‘chai,’ but not the story behind it, the depth of flavor, the hospitality, or the simple pause it represents.

Over time, a question came to their minds: what if they could change that?

That’s how Yatri Chai Company began: a project rooted in friendship, respect, and a shared desire to bring real masala chai to a wider audience.

For many people in the U.S., chai is just another drink option. But it’s so much more than that. It’s hospitality, pause, connection, and the flavors that bind them.

We’re here to bring the full experience of real chai to your cup; not just flavor, but ritual, connection, and curiosity.

Come and stay a while. We'll bring the chai.