Our Story

Viraj grew up in Mumbai, India, where masala chai wasn’t just a drink — it was part of everyday life. When he moved to the U.S. for school, he quickly noticed that while “chai” was everywhere on coffee shop menus, it rarely resembled the real thing he knew from home. The drinks were often overly sweet, missing the depth of spices and cultural meaning behind them.

Michael didn’t grow up in India, but when he met Viraj years ago, he was introduced to authentic chai for the first time. It didn’t take long for him to realize that the “chai” he’d known in the U.S. was more of a sugary spin-off than the real deal.

The two bonded over food, cooking, hospitality — and especially tea.

Bringing authenticity

As they got to know each other, they also saw how much their cultures had in common. Indian and Vietnamese traditions both place a deep value on welcoming others, sharing meals, and honoring the rituals around tea.

Viraj taught Michael about Indian cuisine as Michael shared his knowledge of Vietnamese culture. Again and again, their conversations circled back to a shared concern: so much of this history and tradition was missing in the West.

People knew the word “chai,” but not its story. Not its roots in Ayurveda. Not the practice of serving tea to guests or taking a moment for a chai break during the day. Most people never thought about where their tea or spices came from — or the hands that brought those ingredients from farm to cup.

So over time, a question came to their minds: what if we could change that?

What if we could share the deeper meaning behind chai — not just the flavor, but the culture, history, and values it represents?

That’s how Yatri Chai Company began — a project rooted in friendship, respect, and a shared desire to bring authentic 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. Chai is science. It’s flavor. It’s tradition. It’s the story of people, resistance, hospitality, and healing. It’s a moment of calm in the middle of the day, a connection between friends, and a taste of home.

We’re here to bring that full experience to you — authentic chai, the way it’s meant to be.

Come join us on the journey.