If there is one thing that brings all the Indians together, it is the one hot beverage, that one ritual, that one symbol of hospitality, the go-to solution for all sorts of ailments, and more often than not, a beginning of a friendship and community building. Whether you’re catching up with old friends, meeting someone for the first time, or just taking a moment to breathe, chai is always there — quietly anchoring the conversations.

Growing up, chai was the backdrop to everything. My parents’ morning routine began with it, neighbors dropped by just for a cup, and every guest, no matter how unexpected, was greeted with the familiar question: Chai loge? (Would you like some tea?). 

The first thing I ever made in the kitchen wasn’t a sandwich or noodles — it was chai. I still remember standing on a little stool, carefully watching the milk rise in the pan while my mom guided me from the side. I must have been no more than eight. That moment — handing her that slightly-too-sweet, clumsily brewed cup — is still one of my favorite memories. It was my first taste of what it meant to care for someone through food.

To this day, chai is my go-to excuse to slow down, connect, or simply invite someone into my world. So if you’re ready to make your own — whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth — here’s a simple, comforting recipe to get you started.

 How to Make Chai for Your Loved Ones

 Instruction:

 a) 1 cup of water

b) an inch ( small piece) ginger

c ) cardamom pods crushed

d) 3 teaspoon black tea leaf

e) English breakfast or Assam Bold

f) 1 cup milk ( full cream or skimmed)

g) sugar as desired

Procedure

a) bring the water to boil in a saucepan

b) grate the ginger and add the cardamom

c) add the tea leaf and boil with the lid closed for 4-5 mins

d) add in the milk and bring to boil

e) add sugar, as desired or as per taste

f) bring it to a boil and serve

Whether you’re brewing it for yourself or sharing it with someone new, remember: every cup of chai is an invitation — to pause, to connect, and to be present. And maybe, just maybe, to start a new story over a shared sip.