Tea is a vital element of Indian culture, despite being introduced by the British. Today, it is the country’s favorite beverage and is statistically the most consumed. A good cup of tea is nostalgic and integral to Indian daily life.
It is a common compliment to any form of entertainment, as well as a source of revenue, leisure, an ice-breaker, a component of gossip culture, and a family tradition. It is closely tied to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the country.
Tea brewing is an art that requires patience and skill. Making a good cup of tea needs effort, ingredients, and at least 10 minutes. And even after that, the result is not always consistent. While chai is an integral part of an Indian’s life, their busy modern schedules often do not leave the time to make it.
Hence, Aradhita Agarwal and Devanshi Chitlangia made Chaika Tea. A readymade tea brand that cuts out the hassle of teamaking, giving you a perfect cup in less than 10 seconds. All you need is hot water!
The Tea-lovers Behind It
The founders of Chaika have a lot in common. Both Aradhita and Devanshi studied economics in Singapore, and they both come from families that have professionally made tea for more than seven decades!
Aradhita graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS). She worked as an Interest Rate Swaps trader with BNP Paribas in Singapore after college and then returned to her family’s tea company, Ellenbarrie, and Karala Valley Tea Estates. She’s also an accomplished tea taster. She spends her leisure time exercising, reading, and experimenting with new cuisines.
Devanshi graduated from Singapore Management University with a dual major in Economics and Finance. She also spent a semester studying entrepreneurship at Babson College in the United States.
She worked for Cambridge Associates in Singapore as a portfolio analyst after college but soon went to work for her family’s tea farms, Panbari and Hoograjuli Tea. She likes cooking, working out, and tutoring high school kids in her spare time.
What Led to Chaika Tea?
When the founders were working in Singapore, they craved the masala chai they grew up with. They put a lot of effort into making it but were disappointed with the outcomes. Furthermore, the procedure took 15-20 minutes, which they did not have time for in their hectic finance careers.
That’s where the concept came from. Their families have been successful in the tea business for over 70 years, but they felt compelled to transform old-school masala chai into a convenient and easy drink.
As a result, the women quit their careers in finance to join the ‘chai party,’ as they put it. Their families’ history and the expertise that came with it were very useful for their entrepreneurship.
What Does It Offer?
Chai is a feeling, a ritual, a topic of conversation, and a factor that brings people from all walks of life together. Chai connects us to our roots as Indians. Whether it’s a hot Dhaba Chai on a family road trip, citrus lemon tea on a train station, or cutting chai on the streets of Bombay, there’s something for everyone.
Chaika Tea is a firm that prepares masala chai in under 10 seconds using instant tea premixes. It’s similar to the instant fruit beverage brand Tang, but for Masala Chai. All you have to do is empty a sachet into a mug, add hot water, stir, and it’s done! Chaika Tea has now expanded its product line to include a selection of quick iced teas that dissolve instantly in cold water.
Chaika Tea is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand that sells through its website (www.chaika.in) and other e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Big Basket, Flipkart, LBB, and others. It also sells at modern trade stores like Foodhall, Benzer, and others. The brand has grown internationally, and Chaika now exports to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
For the sake of convenience, many people are moving away from masala chai, the beverage they grew up with, to green tea or coffee. With Chaika Tea’s approach, chai becomes quick, handy, and cool once more.
According to the brand:
“With our flavours, we will transport you to your hometown, transport you to your roots, and transport you to that moment of nostalgia of your childhood.”
Currently, Chaika boasts products such as Platform Chai, Bombay Cutting, Firangi Chai, Kolkata Kadak, Dhaba Chai. Its Iced Tea collection includes flavors such as Kashmiri Green Apple, Mahabaleshwar Mixed Berry, and Pondy Peach and Passion Fruit. It is also offering limited edition Instant Snacks on its website, which include Pudina Jowar Mix and Multi-Grain Mix.
Growing The Tradition of Tea
Despite Covid, Chaika Tea has grown in the previous two years. Its clientele includes the Hyatt Regency, Taj SATS, Royal Calcutta Golf Club, and others, to mention a few. Chaika Tea was able to grow its sales and even export to Singapore and Dubai. The startup set up a stand at the last IPL and Cricket Worldcup Dubai 2021.
The founders say they intend to grow Chaika Tea’s export presence in the future and are actively seeking to develop a larger network. Furthermore, they are establishing the brand in the direct-to-consumer (D2C) arena. Chaika has also received clearance from modern trade giants, and we’ll be entering into business with them in the near future.
Chaika Tea’s founders believe that negative criticism should be an inspiration to people, and they should do everything to prove the critics wrong. We aspire to see Chaika Tea become more successful in the future!