Artisanal masala chai made with real ingredients for body and soul. It’s a love language.
Honoring the cultural roots of chai
In India, tea, spices, and Ayurvedic herbs were mainly used medicinally until colonists (aka British East India Company) commercialized black tea for recreational consumption in the 1800s. When Indian chai vendors started adding masala (spices) to chai in protest of colonial rule, the British tried to stop the spread of the new recipe because they thought more milk and flavor meant less tea profits. But it was too late and too delicious to stop it from becoming the beloved beverage it is today.
Whether enjoyed in the morning or at the end of a long day, the aroma of brewing masala chai brings comfort to the senses. More than just a beverage for South Asians, chai is a cultural emblem, a catalyst for connections, an embodiment of warmth and hospitality. And you're invited you partake in it with us — the asli way.
asli
/us-lee/ adj · Hindi
true; genuine; original; real.
Offerings
Chai box to-go
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Catering
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Artisanal blends
Wholesale
Where to find asli chai
Find our artisanal blends and/or beverages at the following locations:
Stockists
ELROY'S FINE FOODS
15 Soledad Dr. | Monterey, CA 93940
THE CREPERIE CAFE
1123 Fremont Blvd. | Seaside, CA 93955
Upcoming markets & events
559 Pacific St, Monterey, CA 93940
Dec. 20, 2025 | 11am–2pm
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About the chaiwali
I’ve joked on numerous occasions that chai is a love language of mine, while relishing the way my friends eagerly clutch their mugs in my living room. In my heart that sentiment always felt bigger than jest. For South Asians, chai has a medicinal history, the process of making our ancestral recipes is ritual, and enjoying it with snacks alongside friends and family is tradition. I grew up with chai being mainly a late afternoon/post-work snack time treat in my Indo-Fijian family. When we have guests over or visit relatives, chai (or cha, as some call it) is the first order of business. Each household has their own preferences for a tasty recipe, and throughout my life I’ve learned from many different methods that have been passed down for generations. Every time I hand someone a cup, the hands of my loved ones and ancestors are on my shoulders. I love making cha for my friends, and I’m so excited to extend that outside the walls of my home. See you around chai lovers ♡
— Kashka
