Chatting about chai: Kolkata Chai Co.

Illustration by Len Kurosaki

This month's featured company brings together two cities in one cup: Kolkata Chai Co.

The company started out as a New York City café and began offering its masala chai blend during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those of us (AKA, me) who aren't in NYC or can't get there whenever they want a fresh cup of chai, this is a positive when so much negative is going on in the world.

Illustration by Len Kurosaki

While I wasn't able to get the full Kolkata Chai Co. experience (including adding an order of bhel puri to my chai while listening to the café's everything "from Nas to Dil To Pagal Hai playlist"... like, SIGN ME UP), I could still experience the star product, and for now, that's good enough for me.

Kolkata's entire brand is so appealing. Just take a few minutes to scroll through its Instagram page or website. The brand has all the cool NYC vibes you’d expect, while still managing to pay homage to the founders’ parents’ hometown of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Along with the solid aesthetic, you'll find some tastefully placed chai puns. How could you go wrong?

Admittedly, when I saw the price of this chai, and then the shipping (both in USD, which only means the price was even higher after I converted to CAD) I did question if it was really worth it. After making my first cup, that hesitation went out the window because OF COURSE IT’S WORTH IT. I should have known that it would be. Kolkata has been featured in a number of publications since it opened the doors to its NYC café in 2018, including NowThis News, TimeOut and more recently, ABC News and TechCrunch (for closing a US $1 million pre-seed round – HUGE deal!). There’s one very common theme among all the media attention: the founders (brothers Ayan and Ani Sanyal) were tired of hearing the term “chai tea” (same) and even more tired of tasting what the West appropriated chai to be (SAME!!!). So, the duo decided to bring the authentic taste of the chai they knew so well to New York City (and beyond).

Illustration by Len Kurosaki

Obviously, I’m all about the Sanyal brothers’ mission (kind of the entire reason I started this series). And along with that solid mission, these brothers know how to make a stellar cup of chai. I’ve said it before, but no cup of chai is the same. The types and amounts of spices that go into each cup differ from household to household and region to region across South Asia. Kolkata is very different from the chai I’m used to. It brings more heat, especially when made exactly as directed. This is probably due to the fresh ginger you’re told to grate in, as well as the black pepper, cloves and cinnamon that’s in the chai blend. You're not just getting a nice hit of heat. There is also a subtle sweetness, thanks to the cardamon and the cloves (they have layers of flavour). You can add sugar (or another sweetener), but like all the best chais, you don’t have to. Each sip offers so much depth and different flavours.

Illustration by Len Kurosaki

It’s also the perfect chai to pair with another iconic South Asian treat: Parle G (iykyk). I high key love that the biscuit is featured on their website and social media accounts so frequently, and that it’s a legit add-on at their café. You want to talk about getting the full chai experience? I can’t see it getting much closer than that combo. To summarize: Kolkata Chai Co. is founded on a respectable mission, offers a proper experience rather than just a drink; and has a product that is top notch in taste and authenticity. How can you not want to support them (and yourself, because can you ever go wrong with a good cup of chai? The only right answer is No.)?

Illustration by Len Kurosaki

I know at the beginning I complained about the price, but if you think about it, buying a few packs and paying for shipping is much cheaper than flying to New York City (depending on where you are) and going to the actual café for just one cup of the delicious blend.

That being said, NYC IS higher up on my list of places to visit when it feels safer to travel again – and it’s solely because it means an opportunity to visit Kolkata Chai Co. (and hear that playlist!). To learn more about the company, its chai, and the brothers behind it, and to order your own bag of masala chai, visit Kolkata Chai Co.’s website. And for some aesthetically pleasing, punny chai content, follow the company on Instagram.