From India to Iowa:
A Chai Lover's Journey
Welcome and thanks for visiting us at Midwest Chai! We are passionate about making tea powder blends that are easily accessible, affordable, and authentic with delicious spices and tea powder blended into the perfect mix. Sounds delicious, right? We definitely think so.
So, how did Midwest Chai start?
At the beginning of 2012, I moved to India from Iowa for almost half a year and did volunteer work with Rogpa Charitable Trust, a nonprofit run by South Koreans in Dharamshala, the home residence of the Dalai Lama in the foothills of the Himalaya. Rogpa works with Tibetan refugees fleeing Chinese persecution who travel over the Himalaya to India.
While in Dharamshala, I lived with a Tibetan family. My host mom, Dolma, had authentic masala chai on tap, anytime we wanted it. I was quickly hooked by the incredible blend of spices, creamy texture and alluring scent. She taught me the recipe, which was simple but time-intensive.
When I came back to the US, I spent eight years trying to track down that authentic chai experience but quickly got tired of paying $5 for coffee shop syrup-y stand-ins that tasted like a shadow of the real thing. Those hot chocolate-esque packets from the store just didn't do chai justice, either.
There had to be a better way, so I got to work. I developed a powdered form of tea, utilizing all of the six main masala chai spices, that I could make in less than five minutes at home. The mix packed such a powerful punch that only a little was needed, meaning one batch lasted much longer than most other options. Just like that, Midwest Chai was born!
Since then we have expanded to include multiple unique and tasty tea powder blends. We invite you on a journey of enlightened flavors, perfectly in balance, crafted right in the heartland of the Midwest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Come and chai a new way with us today!
- Aaron Nord, Owner