A local family-run tea business has opened a café storefront in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, beckoning all to try their special chai.
Called Chai Ghai, the venture is operated by the Ghai family, who meld "ancestral and sacred family recipes" with "innovative, modern practices to share the perfect chai product."
Chai is the Hindi word for tea, derived from "cha" in Chinese. Though westerners tend to associate chai with a black tea made with spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and clove and steamed milk, that chai - called "Masala," which means "spiced," is one of many traditional Indian teas.
Vancouver's Chai Ghai's tea menu includes a number of blends of black, green, or herbal tea. While previously tea lovers could find Chai Ghai online online or at pop-up events like farmers' markets, the company has now set up a retail space and tea cafe at 562 Granville St (formerly Urban Sushi).
At the cafe, the menu is divided into "vibes" to guide you to the tea of your choosing, which are available in 8-, 12-, or 16-ounce servings (hot) or 16-ounce (cold or latte). A few food items are available, like samosas, muffins, sandwiches, cookies, and a few other sweet treats.
One additional aspect of the business is Chai Ghai's emphasis on giving back; the operators "allocate time, money, and resources to support various social causes," explains the company website. Two per cent of proceeds from Chai Ghai sales are donated to programs in the area of health, education, addiction and mental health.
