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Bloomberg Businessweek

BONUS: Hasan Minhaj Wants You To Have A Great Cup of Chai

Sep 20, 2024
Join Hasan Minhaj, a celebrated actor and comedian known for showcasing South Asian culture, and Ani Sanyal, Co-Founder of Kolkata Chai Co, as they delve into the fascinating world of chai. They discuss their journey to promote authentic chai culture in the U.S. and the challenges they faced during the pandemic. The duo highlights chai's rise to mainstream popularity, its health benefits as an alternative to coffee, and how they've connected their community through innovative chai offerings. Sip and savor their insights!
08:28

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The success of Kolkata Chai Company highlights a growing consumer demand for authentic beverages that reflect diverse cultural experiences in America.
  • By offering chai as both a convenient product and a cultural staple, the founders aim to establish its mainstream appeal similar to that of matcha.

Deep dives

The Growing Demand for Authentic Chai

The increasing popularity of chai in the United States reflects a broader trend among consumers seeking authentic, high-quality beverages from diverse cultures. Kolkata Chai Company was founded by two brothers who wanted to bring genuine chai to America after struggling to find it in New York City. They have successfully established multiple cafe locations and developed a direct-to-consumer model, showing a 300% year-over-year growth. This surge is attributed to the growing Asian American population's desire for authentic experiences, highlighting chai's emergence as a distinct category within the beverage market.

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