For Suraj M, Ghar Ki Chai began with a simple frustration: finding a proper cup of Indian chai in the UK should not have been so difficult. During lockdown, that search moved into the kitchen, where repeated experiments with tea, milk and spice gradually became a business.
What does “ghar ki chai” mean to you?
It is more than tea made at home. It is the cup that arrives without needing to be requested; the smell of ginger or cardamom from another room; the pause that brings everyone into the kitchen. “Ghar” is a feeling of familiarity, and that is what the brand is trying to bottle.
Why begin during lockdown?
Lockdown created the time - and the need - to pay attention to everyday rituals. Chai became a marker between work and rest, morning and afternoon, uncertainty and comfort. Experimenting with blends started as a way to recreate the taste we missed, then grew into the idea that other people might be looking for the same thing.
What made developing the blends difficult?
Chai is personal. A blend has to be consistent enough to trust, but flexible enough for people to make it their own. Getting the balance right meant testing how tea, sweetness, milk and spice behaved together, not simply adding more cardamom or ginger.
Why is the packaging so colourful?
We wanted the packs to carry the warmth and visual energy of India. Chai is not beige or anonymous in our memories; it is tied to busy kitchens, textiles, painted objects, celebrations and everyday colour. The packaging should feel joyful before the kettle is even on.
What do you hope people feel after the first sip?
Recognition. For someone who grew up with chai, perhaps it brings back a familiar moment. For someone discovering it, perhaps it feels like being invited into that ritual. Either way, the cup should feel generous, easy and worth pausing for.
