“Chai is amazing — it should be right alongside a good cup of coffee, espresso, or cappuccino. This business helped me reconcile my American upbringing and my Indian heritage — that push and pull, that beautiful combination of everything.”

Ayan Sanyal is Co-founder of Kolkata Chai Company, which if you’re in NY, you should stop by sometime soon (or order some online) — it’s something special. I’ve been going for a couple of years, and more than a few others do to, including frieMMd of the pod Rajiv, and his bud Hasan Minhaj, who’s become a big investor and advocate. Chai is something special — and good, REAL chai is something transcendent (just don’t call it chai tea). Good chai takes time. It takes people. And it creates friendship.

Ayan and his brother founded Kolkata Chai Co. in 2018 to bring authentic masala chai to New York City. Growing up to Bengali parents in Amherst, MA, the brothers navigated tea times, rock bands, and trips back to India (street food FTW) - finding different inspirations along the way. The two built a career and background in digital advertising and media, but quickly challenged themselves to take a side passion - brewing chai at home - to farmers markets and beyond — redefining how chai and culture can be experienced in the city, and further into America. Hearing Ayan’s journey, from Amherst, MA to Kolkata and back again — and all the comic books and rock music in between - you’ll be inspired to do more, and have a great cup along the way.

LEARN MORE:

kolkatachai.co

instagram.com/kolkatachaico

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices