Our Story
Viraj
Meet Viraj, who was born and raised in Mumbai, India and traveled to the bustling landscapes of the United States to pursue an education. With his roots and culture steeped in masala chai, Viraj possesses intimate knowledge of Indian cuisine, and especially of chai - the selection of tea, preparation of aromatic spices, brewing time and aeration, and more.
Yet, Viraj discovered a surprising truth: even though everyone knows what chai is in America, the drink served in coffee shops was far short of the authentic flavor he had grown up with. He recognized a void of authentic flavor and yearned to fill it.
Michael
Shortly after graduation, Viraj met Michael in a fortuitous turn of events. Despite diverse backgrounds, the two quickly bonded over shared passions: food, cooking, the art of hospitality, and most importantly, tea.
Michael is a first generation Vietnamese-American, engineer, and chef. Whether it's whiskey, fusion cuisine, or tea, Michael can tell you everything you want (and don’t want) to know about cooking and entertaining guests.
The two quickly became friends, sharing their knowledge of cuisine, culture, and common passion for many interests together.
And a theme emerged.
While the underlying beliefs may be different, it became evident that India and Vietnam share much of the same cultural roots. Each country cherishes the art of hospitality and embracing guests, food, and most importantly, fascinating histories of tea consumption.
As Viraj taught Michael about masala (spices) in Indian food and the enchanting world of chai, Michael in turn revealed to Viraj the vast history of tea brewing and the time-honored traditions of tea ceremonies.
And one common topic came up again and again: the loss of origin.
Even though America is a melting pot of cultures, everything other than the ingredients has been lost. Very few know the history of tea, or the Ayurvedic roots of chai. The concept of "chai breaks" and serving tea to guests is not a widely-embraced practice in the West. Further still, nobody stops to think about where the tea or spices come from, the many steps of cultivation, or the numerous hands each ingredient passes through before finally arriving in the cup.
So over time, a question came to their minds:
What if this knowledge, this passion for culture and history, could be brought to others?
What if they could distill the essence of their friendship, their vibrant cultures, and gift the world an experience beyond just drinking tea?
Thus, born from the melding of cultures, the Yatri Chai Company emerged.
For many people, tea and masala chai are just options to choose from at a café. But we want to show you they are so much more - they are drinks filled with deep science, rich flavor, even richer histories. They encompass the culture, tradition, and history of billions of people.
Masala chai is the spirit of India. It is their rebellion against British colonialism, a celebration of their cuisine, and a continuation of rich Ayurvedic origins. Chai is a way to show hospitality to guests and a mindful retreat in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. It brings people from all walks of life together, randomly, throughout the city and beyond.
And we want to bring chai - everything about the drink - to you.
Join us on this journey.