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The world of Indian tea and coffee — Masala Chai, Cutting Chai, South Indian Filter Coffee and Chaayos, Blue Tokai, and Sleepy Owl

By ARAZIA India Desk9 min read

A cup of Indian masala chai — India's national drink with a blend of spices and milk — Masala Chai — India's national drink made by boiling Assam CTC black tea with milk, sugar, cardamom, ginger, etc. · Sarkar Sayantan (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

When you spend a day in India,A glass of ChaiYou will naturally get used to the rhythm, starting with and ending with a cup of coffee. Before a morning meeting, the hot masala chai poured into a glass by an office worker is like a beacon of Indian work life, and at 3 or 4 p.m., without fail, people say, “Do you want some chai (Chai piyoge)?” When guests arrive, chai comes out before water, and everywhere, whether at the train station or the market.Chai wallahThere is.

At the same time, India is also a country where specialty coffee culture is rapidly establishing itself. south indianFilter Kaapiis a tradition that has been going on for over 100 years, and is held in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Bengaluru.Blue Tokai, Sleepy Owl, Third Wave CoffeeFrom the same domestic brandTata StarbucksThere are a variety of cafes lined up closely. And in betweenChaayosIt is filled with the same premium chai chain.

This article is for the families of Korean expatriates and travelers who have settled in India.Composition of masala chai and how to order cut chai, principles of South Indian filter coffee, characteristics of representative chains, home recipes to brew at homeThis is a practical guide that summarizes India's tea and coffee culture in one place.

01Background of India becoming a ‘difference power’ — Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri

India isThe world's second-largest tea producer and the world's largest tea consumer.no see. A significant amount of the tea we commonly call 'black tea' is grown and processed in India, and its aroma and weight vary greatly depending on where it is grown. Knowing the region and variety will make it much easier when choosing a bag of black tea at the supermarket or looking at a cafe menu.

Main production area	Region (state)	characteristic
Assam	Assam, northeastern India	Heavy body and strong malt flavorThe basic base of masala chai with milk and spices.. Many are in finely crushed form using the CTC processing method.
Darjeeling	Himalayan foothills, West Bengal	It has a delicate scent and light color, so it is called ‘the champagne of black tea’. It is best to drink it straight without milk.
Nilgiri	Mountainous region of Tamil Nadu, South India	With its clean acidity and soft aroma, it is widely used as an ingredient in iced tea and blended black tea.

Why did ‘Chai’ become the national drink in India?

India's tea culture began in earnest with the development of large-scale tea gardens in Assam and Darjeeling during British colonial rule in the 19th century. Later in the 20th centuryTea Board of India's campaign and popularization of cheap CTC black tea.'Masala Chai', which is boiled with milk, sugar, and spices, has become a drink for common people across the country. Even now, Indian people drink several cups of chai a day in the morning, after lunch, in the afternoon, and in the evening, and even begin the first greeting when entertaining guests with ‘chai.’ IndiaOverall food cultureDifferences are an essential item to understand.

Darjeeling Tea Gardens, India — the main producing area of Indian tea culture — A tea garden in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri are considered the three largest tea producing regions in India. · Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

02Composition of Masala Chai — A national drink made by boiling spices, milk, and sugar

Masala ChaiAs the name suggests, it is ‘tea with spices (masala).’ It is made by mixing half water and half milk and then boiling CTC black tea leaves, spices, and sugar together. The mixture varies slightly depending on the house, chaiwalla, or cafe. The strong aroma and sweetness may be unfamiliar when you first drink it, but after a few days, it becomes so addictive that you automatically think of it at 3 PM.

basic ingredients

black tea— CTC black tea, mostly from Assam. Brands like Wagh Bakri, Tata Tea Gold, Red Label, and Society Tea are common in the market.
milk and water— The ratio of water and milk is roughly half and half. For a thicker boil, increase the proportion of milk.
sugar— By Indian standards, it is quite sweet. You can order 'half sugar' or 'no sugar'.
Masala (spice blend)— Representative examples include Cardamom (Ilaichi), Ginger (Adarac), Clove (Long), Cinnamon (Dalchini), Pepper (Kali Mirchi), and Star Anise. The mix varies from house to house.

Transform Menu — Know This Name

name	characteristic
Adrak Chai	Chai with plenty of ginger. Enjoy when you have a sore throat or a cold.
Elaichi Chai	A gentle chai with a special emphasis on the cardamom scent. Often appears as ‘basic type’ in cafes
Tulsi Chai	Herbal tea with holy basil (tulsi), which is considered sacred in India. Low in caffeine
Kesar Chai	Difference in gorgeous scent with saffron (kesar). Often appears at festivals and special occasions
Kulhad Chai	Differences depending on the disposable clay cup (Koolhard). The earthy scent gives it a different flavor and less hygiene burden.

For reference, Indians usuallyChai with a lot of sugaris considered basic. If the sweet taste is too much for you, try ‘Kam meetha (less sweet)' or 'No sugarYou can order by saying '

03Chai Walla and Cutting Chai — Culture of drinking half a cup on the street

When you walk through an Indian city, you will find it everywhere: at intersections, subway station entrances, and office alleys.Chai wallahThere is. It is a street stall that boils chai in a large aluminum pan and pours it into glass, paper, or clay cups (kulhard). Prices vary depending on the region and season, but are generally around 10 to 20 rupees per drink at street stalls, which is not expensive (the exact price varies by region, so we recommend checking on site).

What is Cutting Chai?

Cutting differenceis a 'half cup of chai' that originated in Mumbai. It comes from a culture where only half of the drink is poured into a glass, it is boiled thick and hot, and people drink it in a short amount of time before leaving. I enjoy drinking it as a quick break between offices and during brief conversations with acquaintances, and now I drink it not only in Mumbai but also in Delhi, Gurgaon, and other cities.GurgaonIt is also commonly listed on cafe menus in other places.

Practical tips for enjoying street chai

Check the cup type— Rather than street vendors using glass cups repeatedly.Disposable paper cups or cool hard (soil cups)Places that use are safe in terms of hygiene.
Visually check the boiling process— It is much safer to receive chai that has just been bubbling in the pan than one that has been lukewarm for a long time.
Prepare a small amount of cash— The stalls areUPI PaymentIn many cases, it is possible, but if you have 10-20 rupee notes or loose change, the turnover will be faster.
order phrase—'Ek chai (a cup of chai)', 'Cutting chai do(Two cups of cut chai)', 'Kam meetha(less sweet)' three words are enough. How to count numbersHindi Numbers, Time, and Money GuideIt was organized in .
If you have a sensitive stomach, refrain from doing so for the first week.— Street dairy products can be daunting until you get used to Indian water and milk. For the first few days, it's safer to start with a hotel or chain cafe.

Indian Chaiwala Stalls — Vendors who brew and sell chai on the street. — Chaiwala of Pushkar, Rajasthan. It is a symbol of daily life in India, found everywhere at intersections, markets, and stations. · Arian Zwegers (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)

04South Indian filter coffee — the rhythm of dabara and tumbler and the coffee landscape of South and North Korea

If chai is the national drink of the entire North India, coffee has long beenSouth Indian cultural identityIt was. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, idli is served for breakfast.Filter KaapiIt is a common sight to serve it with coffee, and you can still see coffee served in silver tumblers in old dhabas (restaurants) in Bengaluru and Chennai.

How filter coffee is made

Indian filter coffee is made by placing coarsely ground coffee beans in a double stainless steel filter, pouring hot water over it, and steeping it slowly for several minutes. Most coffee beansBlend of 60-80% coffee and 20-40% chicoryIt is a traditional South Indian blend, and the richDecoctionMix it with hot milk and sugar and drink it.

Davara and Tumbler — Why pour coffee into foam

Filter coffee in South IndiaDabara (wide bowl) and tumbler (long, narrow cup)Served as a set. The customer repeats the process of pouring hot coffee from the tumbler into the tapara and then transferring it back to the tumbler several times.A layer of soft foam is created on the surface, lowering the temperature to a pleasant level to drink.. It is also designed so that you can only hold the lower heel rather than holding the hot tumbler body with your hands.

South and North Coffee Topography — Don’t be confused by these names

Kaapi (copy)— ‘Coffee’ in Tamil and Kannada. It usually refers to South Indian filter coffee.
Filter Coffee / Filter Kaapi— Traditional method above. Milk and sugar basics.
Degree Coffee— A name given to premium coffee made specifically with first milk cream in the Chennai region.
Cold Coffee— Cafe menus usually contain milk, ice cream, and chocolate syrup.Sweet milkshake-type cold coffee. It's completely different from Korea's iced Americano. If you want Americano, clearly ask for 'Americano'.

South Indian filter coffee — foam made by pouring between a davara and a tumbler — South Indian filter copy. Pour it between the tumbler and the bar to create surface bubbles and a comfortable temperature for drinking. · Charles Haynes (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)

05Complete cleanup of Indian tea and coffee chains — Chaayos, Blue Tokai, Sleepy Owl and their neighbors

In large cities such as Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai,Chai specialty chains, specialty coffee chains, and large franchisesare tightly packed. Most problems can be solved if you know a few things for each situation, such as company dinners, meetings, and work-from-home cafes.

brand	identity	Take advantage of recommendations
Chaayos	A premium chai cafe chain started in Gurgaon. 'Meri Wali Chai'inCustomized differences in tens of thousands of combinationsAs a signature, milk type, spice, and sweetness can be individually specified. Indian snacks such as samosas, maggi, and parathas are also strong.	When visiting with family or guests who are new to Indian chai. Stores in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, etc.
Blue Tokai	Founded in DelhiSpecialty coffee roaster and cafe. We contract directly with coffee farms in southern India to roast single-origin coffee beans by production region and variety. The filter, espresso, and cold brew lineup is solid, and sales of coffee beans and drip bags are also active.	Specialty coffee experience, regular purchase of coffee beans, and securing a space for an at-home cafe
Sleepy Owl	Founded in DelhiD2C cold brew coffee brand. Distributes ready-to-drink cold brew bottles, cold brew bags, instant coffee, and coffee beans online and in supermarkets. Rather than an offline cafeCoffee brands you drink at homeestablished as	A home cafe with cold brew in the refrigerator and just pouring water or milk in the morning.
Third Wave Coffee	A specialty cafe chain originating from Bengaluru. The coffee beans, equipment, and store interior are modern and are expanding nationwide.	Cafe for meetings and working from home
Café Coffee Day (CCD)	A large Indian franchise. It is based in the coffee producing region of South India and has a very large number of stores.	Situations requiring accessibility to airports, highways, etc.
Tata Starbucks	Tata Group and StarbucksIndian joint venture. A combination of familiar menus with Indian-only menu items (masala chai latte, etc.)	Meetings that require a global menu, when you need familiar tastes

Points that can be confusing when ordering

Basic size notation— Most Indian cafes use ‘Regular / Large’ or Starbucks style ‘Tall / Grande / Venti’. Cutting sizes are often indicated separately.
sweetness control— The default settings for both chai and coffee are quite sweet. When ordering 'Less sweet' or 'No sugarPlease clearly ask for '.
Payment/tipping culture— Cafe bills usually includeService charge includedTherefore, a separate tip is not required. For detailed customsTips, gifts, invitation etiquette guideIt was organized in .
Zomato and Swiggy delivery— Most of the brands above can also be ordered through delivery apps. Related apps areSummary of Indian Life AppsPlease refer to the section.

06Masala chai and filter coffee brewed at home — ingredients, basic recipe, precautions

Once you get used to India to some extent, most peopleSteps to make coffee by brewing your own chai at home or buying coffee beansMove on to . It's easy to get ingredients at supermarkets and online malls in India, and once you learn how to make it, the cost you spend every time you go to a cafe is drastically reduced.

Home Masala Chai — Basic Recipe Serves 4

in the pot2 cups of waterclassa piece of chopped ginger, 4-5 crushed cardamom, if desired, add a piece of cinnamon stick and boil for 2-3 minutes.
2-3 teaspoons of CTC black teaAdd and boil for another 1 to 2 minutes until darkened.
2 cups of milkAdd sugar to your taste and boil again, stirring to prevent overflow.
Strain through a fine sieve (tea strainer) and pour into a glass or mug.

Black teaWagh Bakri, Tata Tea Gold, Red Label, Society Teaetc. are popular, and the spices are already mixed.Masala Tea (Tata Tea Premium with Masala, etc.)meMasala Powder (Everest·MDH·Tata Chai Masala)It's much easier to use. The best milk is full cream milk from Amul and Mother Dairy.

Home Filter Coffee — Tools and Beans

stainless steel indian coffee filter— A double stainless steel dripper that can be purchased inexpensively at a supermarket or online. It is a standard tool for South Indian filter coffee.
coffee beans— Traditional South Indian styleCothas, Narasu's, Leo CoffeeA typical coffee/chicory blend is used, and if you want specialty coffee,Blue Tokai, Sleepy Owl, Third WaveYou can purchase coffee beans such as:
How to get off— Place 2-3 spoons of coarsely ground coffee beans in the upper chamber and press. → Pour hot water, close the lid, and wait 5-15 minutes. → Complete by mixing the thick decoction that falls to the bottom with hot milk and sugar.

Caution - Start by knowing this much

Total amount of caffeine— Indian chai and filter coffee accumulate caffeine due to the nature of drinking multiple cups a day. If you are pregnant, have sleep problems, or have heart disease, please manage your daily intake. Emergency preparednessHospital/emergency medical guidePlease refer to .
Sugar intake— The Indian default setting tends to be very sweet. If you drink it every day, it is better for your health to reduce the sugar by half or use alternative sweeteners.
Is the milk pasteurized?— Packed milk sold in supermarkets (Amul, Mother Dairy) is a pasteurized product, so you can rest assured. However, unpasteurized raw milk sold at street stalls (Milk Delivery, Doodh) must be boiled before use.
Certification/label confirmation— Food distributed in India isFSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) logo and license numberappears on the label. It is safe to check the label when purchasing black tea, coffee beans, or masala powder.

Useful tips

Start your first visit to Chaayos with 'Meri Wali Chai'

Chaayos' signature menu, 'Meri Wali Chai', is a way to create your own combination by specifying the type of tea, type of milk, spice, and sweetness. If it's your first time, it's a good idea to start with 'strong cardamom, medium ginger, half sweet' and narrow down your tastes.

For the difference in dew point, get the one that is just boiling now.

At chai walla stands, ask for chai that is just bubbling in the pan rather than one that has been sitting for a long time. It is hot sterilized and has a much stronger scent. It is more hygienic to use disposable paper cups or clay cups (cool hard).

For home cafe use, keep a can of masala powder on hand.

If you have a can of masala powder such as Everest, MDH, or Tata Chai Masala, you don't have to prepare cardamom, clove, cinnamon, etc. every time. Adding as little as 1/4 teaspoon will give you enough flavor.

Remember ‘Cold Coffee ≠ Iced Americano’

'Cold Coffee' in Indian cafes is usually a sweet milkshake containing milk, ice cream, and chocolate syrup. If you want Korean style iced Americano, be sure to clearly order 'Iced Americano'.

For coffee beans in Gurgaon and Delhi, it is convenient to subscribe to Blue Tokai.

Blue Tokai operates an online subscription that automatically delivers coffee beans each month. This is especially useful for work-from-home cafes as you can receive fresh coffee beans with the roasting date indicated. Please check the delivery zone on the website first when purchasing.

Common pitfalls and how to solve them

By drinking several cups of Indian chai or coffee a day, your caffeine and sugar intake quickly accumulates.

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Make the 'kam meetha' (less sweet) or 'no sugar' option your default, and get into the habit of switching to tulsi chaa or low-caffeine herbal teas in the late afternoon.

Reusable and unpasteurized milk from street chai glass cups may cause stomach upset.

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For the first few weeks of settling in, start at a chain cafe (Chaayos, Blue Tokai, Tata Starbucks, etc.), and when using street stalls, choose a place that uses paper cups or clay cups (kulhards) and places that accept freshly brewed chai.

Many people are disappointed because the 'Cold Coffee' on the cafe menu is much sweeter and thicker than expected.

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First understand that Indian cold coffee is more like a milkshake, and if you want iced Americano, clearly order 'Iced Americano' or 'Iced Long Black'.

I bought filter coffee beans and home brewed them, but the flavor is weak or dull.

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Most South Indian traditional blends are a combination of coffee and chicory. If you want a pure coffee taste, choose coffee beans marked ‘Pure Coffee’ on the label or specialty brands (Blue Tokai, Third Wave, etc.). Coffee beans must be coarsely ground to fit well with the Indian Filter Dripper.

I ordered bulk masala chai ingredients online, but I don't trust them because there is no certification mark.

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Food distributed in India must display the FSSAI logo and license number on the label. Check the label and check the safety standards on the FSSAI official site (fssai.gov.in).

Latest updates

Specialty coffee chain rapidly expands to Delhi and GurgaonIndian specialty coffee brands such as Blue Tokai, Third Wave, and Subko are expanding their stores beyond Bengaluru to major cities such as Delhi NCR and Mumbai, and the number of cafe options for at-home and meeting use is expanding.
D2C cold brew expands to supermarket distribution networkAs D2C coffee brands, including Sleepy Owl, go beyond online subscriptions and officially distribute cold brew bottles and cold brew bags in large supermarkets and quick commerce apps, the home cafe culture is taking root.

FAQ

What is Masala Chai made from?

It is made by boiling water, milk (usually half and half), CTC black tea (mainly from Assam), sugar, and spices (masala) such as cardamom, ginger, clove, cinnamon, and pepper. The spice blend and sweetness vary depending on the restaurant, chaiwala, or cafe, and in cafes, you can adjust the sweetness to 'kam meetha' (less sweet) or 'no sugar.'

How is cutting chai different from regular chai?

Cutting Chai is a half-cup chai that originated in Mumbai. It is a short drink that fills only half of the glass with hot, strong tea. 지금은 델리 NCR 등 다른 지역의 카페에서도 흔히 볼 수 있습니다.

Is South Indian Filter Coffee (Filter Kaapi) different from espresso?

Yes, it's different. Filter Copy is a method of slowly brewing coarsely ground coffee beans (mostly a coffee/chicory blend) through a stainless steel double filter for 5 to 15 minutes to obtain a rich decoction, then mixing it with hot milk and sugar and drinking it. The tradition is to pour it between a dabara and a tumbler to create surface foam and a comfortable drinking temperature.

How are Chaayos·Blue Tokai·Sleepy Owl different?

Chaayos is a premium chai cafe chain that started in Gurgaon and its signature ‘Meri Wali Chai’ custom chai. Blue Tokai is a specialty coffee roaster founded in Delhi that operates both an offline café and coffee bean subscription. Sleepy Owl is a Delhi-based D2C cold brew brand that is closer to a home cafe brand through online and supermarket distribution than an offline store.

What kind of drink do you get when you order 'Cold Coffee' at an Indian cafe?

Most drinks are sweet milkshake-type drinks containing milk, ice cream, and chocolate syrup. If you want a Korean style iced Americano, you should definitely order it as 'Iced Americano' or 'Iced Long Black'.

Where can I buy masala chai ingredients to make at home?

For black tea, Wagh Bakri·Tata Tea Gold·Red Label·Society Tea, for masala powder, Everest·MDH·Tata Chai Masala, and for milk, Amul·Mother Dairy are acceptable. You can easily purchase it at large supermarkets or quick commerce apps (Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket, etc.).

References & links

Tea Board of India Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)Indian Government Official Portal Embassy of the Republic of Korea in India KOTRA Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency