On International Tea Day, we are stirring up our love for chai with a masala blend and inspired art
Morning chai stall art print
A lot can be said about a person by the way they like their chai, don’t you think? We’re not judging, out loud at least. But whatever a good cup of chai looks like to you, whether it’s at a favourite tapri where the stall owner knows your name, or a tried-and-tested recipe you make at home — today is a celebration of all things tea.
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Brewing a canvas
Chaitanya and Rucha Limaye
Proclaiming their love for chai are Pune-based illustrator Chaitanya Limaye and painter Rucha Limaye. The husband-wife duo runs Ru and Chai, where they sell merchandise based on their artworks, and quite often, you’ll find chai-inspired art prints. Rucha tells us that every artwork is influenced by little moments like watching the rain beat down with a cup of chai or complaining about the heat while sipping on hot tea.
Chai bina chain kahaan re mug
Chaitanya continues, “One day, to announce tea time, I sang, “Chai bina chain kahaan re”, and that instantly inspired the artwork for it.” Printed on mugs and coasters, the artwork is now one of their bestsellers. Rucha quips, “Chaitanya has tea four to five times a day. I feel he’s first married to chai, and then to me.”
Log on to: ruandchai.com
Chai and gup shup
Utsav Vinayak and Anita Vinayak
Founder of Guppy Moms, Anita Vinayak, shares that her heritage masala blend for chai is packed with cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg, star anise, black pepper and ginger. Passed down from her mother-in-law, the Vinayaks guarantee that this blend will give you a cup of ghar ka chai. The name is also derived from the phrase ‘gup shup’ where family and friends gather at home and chat over a cup of chai.
When it’s too hot outside but chai is bae artwork
Utsav Vinayak, its CEO, says, “Once we grew up, mom decided to do something for herself.” Armed with a great family recipe and a vision, Guppy Moms was born. The Ludhiana-based entrepreneurs speak about plans to add three products in the coming weeks: chai masala iced tea, frappe, and masala chai — all premixes.
Log on to: guppymoms.com
Cost: Rs 433 onwards
What is International Tea Day?
Sarda at a tea estate in Coonoor
It’s an effort to promote sustainable production and consumption of tea, and highlight its importance in fighting poverty through employment in the industry. “It is fundamental to ensure that any tea business model is built in a way where the farmers also win. Most of the tea from India is exported at single-digit margins which do not reflect the value and work of the farmers,” Bala Sarda, founder and CEO, Vahdam India, tell us.
To correct this, a platform like Vahdam cuts out middlemen and defines the value of production, ensuring farmers receive due profits. Snigdha Manchanda, founder and tea sommelier, Tea Trunk (inset), continues, “A paradigm shift ushered by taking pride in our tea will help us leverage and amplify the sustainability and fair trade practices that are already being followed by several tea plantations in India.”
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