My Original Heirloom Blend is rooted in my grandmother's recipe. My grandmother came from a family of Ayurvedic healers in western India. She taught me the ancient art of Ayurvedic herbalism from a young age. After my grandmother passed away, I asked my mother about the origins of her chai recipe. It always made me feel restored. Over several years, these conversations with my mother led me to learn much more about the science of Ayurvedic herbal preparation, plant energetics and seasonality, elemental synergy, and food as medicine.
My grandmother's chai ritual was a portal into a world of ancient wisdom. Her knowledge contained in this recipe was like an anthology preserved by her lived experience- and by my ancestors who came before her. To honor and preserve this healing wisdom, I’m sharing Chai Five with you today.
After years of burn-out and chronic illness, my search for healing led me to return to the wisdom of my ancestors. Through Ayurvedic medicine, I healed my auto-immune issues, inflammation, gut issues and anxiety. Simple daily practices like decreasing caffeine, supporting my nervous system, and my morning chai ritual transformed my mental and physical health. Today, there's a growing body of research and modern scientific findings that align with this ancient wisdom.
I've carried this ancestral knowledge as medicine with me throughout my travels. Applying ancient knowledge and sharing this knowledge is at the heart of Chai Five. Tiny healing rituals, when done with intention and presence, can transform your life. I invite you to experience how our blends can help nourish and restore you so that you can feel your best. May your own tiny healing ritual provide a moment of connection, joy, and healing to start your day. Thank you for your support.
With gratitude,
Ani, Founder
Chai Five Organics
The ritual and tradition of chai has spanned across cultures and oceans. Having traveled to 35 countries, I’ve seen two things unite people: 1) a cup of tea, and 2) a High Five! In this spirit, I created Chai Five with a mission of creating positive social change and empowered wellness.
My Sourcing Story:
In 2016, I was studying Portuguese as a Fulbright Scholar in one of the most beautiful yet war-worn countries in the world, Mozambique. I serendipitously connected with a local middle school in one of the poorest communities. I had an idea to help the families who couldn’t afford to pay schools fees, and I launched a social project to support girls' education and trafficking prevention. My funding ran out and political violence escalated. I had to return to the US and look for a job.
Empowering Farmers & Communities:
Reluctant to leave immediately, I decided to detour up the Indian Ocean coast of Africa. I found myself in Zanzibar, where I met spice farmers growing the most incredible heirloom and wild spice varietals. Their regenerative agro-forestry projects supported critical local ecosystems, yet they struggled to reach the global market.
I had an idea. What if I started a chai company to support the girls education project and support small farmers? And craft the freshest, most flavorful, healing chai blends the world had ever experienced? I bought a few pounds of spices, then hand-ground and blended them in my kitchen back home, while I worked 2 jobs to support myself. My first day selling chai at the farmers market was scary, but I completely sold out. I was shocked. Then I sold out the next week, and the week after. Thus, Chai Five was born.
But the universe didn’t give me the green light quite yet. A pandemic, family, health, and finances had to come first. So for 8 years, I continued to build relationships with small farmers in Tanzania, India, and Sri Lanka. I came to understand the tea and spice industries, the complex social and sustainability issues, and the science and health benefits of each ingredient. Despite one obstacle after another - from civil war to tariff wars- I continued building the Chai Five brand and vision bit by bit. Finally the stars aligned in 2025, and I officially launched Chai Five Organics.
Thus, Chai Five was born with a vision to make a positive social impact, globally and locally. Today, Chai Five continues to give back and support community empowerment. Our blends were created as a symbol of nourishment, connection, and community.
-
We source directly from organic farms and agro-forestry projects that preserve heirloom varietals and protect biodiversity to maintain sustainability, transparency and traceability.
-
We work to preserve ancestral wisdom and traditional Ayurvedic knowledge passed down in our family and share it to benefit others.
-
Our founder grew up in a multi-cultural, multi-generational immigrant family with ancestral roots in India. Chai Five is the first 100% South-Asian woman-founded and owned chai company. Crafting healing chai blends since 2015.
-
We source only certified organic, biodynamic and wildcrafted ingredients from small family farms while paying higher-than-fairtrade wages and ensuring ethical labor standards and full transparency.
