In many parts of the world, tea is more than a drink - it’s a ritual, a moment of calm and a community. In India, though, all of this is concentrated in a single cup: chai. This drink can be made in many ways, but at Smúz you can taste a special version of it.
A sip of history
The word "chai" itself simply means tea, but when you ask for a cup of "chai" in India, they actually mean a spicy, fragrant, milky tea that has been brewed for generations with the same love that our grandmothers use to make their Sunday coffee.
The history of chai goes back more than five thousand years. It was originally a healing drink: a brew of herbs and spices, made without tea. In British colonial times, when tea plantations appeared in India, black tea was added to the recipe - and so masala chai, the spiced tea we know today, was born.
The basis of classic Indian chai is:
black tea
milk
sugar or honey
and the characteristic spice mixture (masala): ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper
Together, these give it that sweetly spicy, warming aroma that makes every sip of chai a little trip to India.
Chai in the Smoothie
At the Smúz specialty café it isn’t made from powder or syrup – we brew it ourselves, following an original Indian recipe: with fresh spices, real tea, slowly and with care. The result is a creamy, fragrant, silky drink that energises and calms at the same time.
A perfect choice if:
you want to slow down the day a little,
you crave warmth, homely flavors,
or you could simply try something other than coffee.
Chai also contains caffeine, but its effect is much milder than espresso, so it’s ideal for the afternoon, cold days or a long conversation.
Who is it for?
Chai is for those who:
they like to have culinary experiences,
appreciate handmade, authentic flavors,
They want to not only get excited, but also recharge.
Whether you sip it by our window overlooking the Parliament or sitting on the Smúz terrace - chai doesn’t just warm you up, it carries you off to India for a moment, or simply back to yourself.
