Shalini Majumdar, Co-Founder

In October 2023, I traveled to India with my family, hoping to immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of my heritage. Across the street from my aunt’s flat in Calcutta, I discovered an unassuming chai stand—a tiny, bustling corner of the neighborhood where the air was thick with the scent of cardamom and simmering tea. My aunt told me that this stand had been there for decades, run by the same family, passing down their craft from one generation to the next.

I was captivated. They offered chai in styles I had never seen before—saffron chai, tandoori (roasted) chai, malai (milk fat solids) chai—alongside the classic masala chai I grew up drinking. Each cup was made with intention, brewed to perfection, and served with a warmth that made every sip feel like home.

That’s when it hit me: There was nowhere in the U.S. to get an authentic cup of chai. The "chai tea lattes" at coffee chains were a far cry from the real thing, and outside of Indian restaurants, chai was almost nonexistent. I knew I had to change that. I wanted to bring the flavors, the ritual, and the experience of true chai to America—to show people what they’ve been missing.

When I returned home, I looped in my best friend Poonim, who has been brewing her own masala chai for years and shares my passion for authenticity and craft. Together, we started dreaming, testing recipes, and bringing our vision to life.

And so, Chaiwali was born: a love letter to the chaiwalas of India and a mission to redefine what chai means in the U.S. One cup at a time.