Stirring up memories with chai, a taste of togetherness

Just like coffee here in the States, chai in India is a way of life. Every corner, every street – there’s always a “cutting chai” waiting for you, poured hot and strong in little glass tumblers or clay cup.

And in India, there’s no such thing as the wrong time for chai. Morning, noon, midnight – chai isn’t just a drink; it’s an invitation. It’s the reason to pause, to talk, to gather, to belong.

On my recent visit to India, I couldn’t help but marvel at how chai culture has grown. Sprinkled across cities and towns, chain tea cafés like Tea Post are everywhere – offering cozy ambiances, small bites, and, of course, endless cups of chai. But even beyond these modern spots, my husband and I sought out the street chai stalls – the “chai ka thela.” There’s something magical about these roadside setups: steaming pots of whole milk chai simmering for hours over coals, the aroma wrapping around you long before you even take a sip. It’s a taste no home kitchen quite replicates, bold and smoky, served with a side of stories.

It was on one of these chai runs that my younger daughter, who’s about to turn eight this May (wish me luck!), surprised us. She’s our wild child, the one we prayed hard for – a strong-willed, joyful spark in our lives. She’s never had chai before, but one afternoon, watching her dad dip his gathiya (that famous salty snack) into his chai, she gently asked, “Papa, can I give you company … just one time?”

And that was it. One sip, one shared moment – and now, every time my husband finds chai, she’s right there with him, ready to dip, sip, and belong. As a mom, my heart melts watching the two of them bond over those little cups. But secretly? I worry. Because chai is everywhere. It’s impossible to say no! Homes, offices, weddings, funerals – chai shows up, and so does the chatter, the laughter, the connection.

As Reporter Columnist Pooja Thakkar wrote to our publisher on this Star Wars Day weekend, “May the cup of chai be with you.” We do, however, wonder if her chai leans toward the dark side or the light. (Photos provided by Pooja Thakkar)

One night, instead of a family dinner, one of my cousins texted: “Meet us at Tea Post at midnight.” And so we did. Three tables filled with the faces I grew up with – friends, cousins, families. We sipped chai under the stars, swapping life updates, laughing, remembering those we’ve lost, celebrating new marriages and babies who aren’t babies anymore. My daughters melted right into the group, as if no years had passed, as if we were simply picking up last weekend’s conversation.

At the airport, ready to fly back from India, I spotted yet another chai kettle, surrounded by signs boasting every flavor imaginable. And at that moment, it hit me: chai isn’t just tea. It’s a stir of stories, a mix of memories, a cup filled with love, belonging, and home. Wherever life takes us, somehow, a simple cup of chai has the power to bring us right back.

Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.