Chai Five is a daily ritual created to awaken all five of your senses, restore balance and vitality, and bring you into the present moment- where life is meant to be lived. At Chai Five, we believe in the power of plant medicine and ancestral knowledge to heal and reconnect us to the rhythm of the cosmos found within us all.
We specialize in applying ancestral knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine to creating simple, delicious daily rituals for whole body wellness. Our founder is certified in Ayurvedic Nutrition, and comes from a family of Ayurvedic healers and traditional farmers in India.
My personal healing journey led me to embrace ancestral wisdom, particularly Ayurveda. Through the integration of traditional medicine, I healed my auto-immune issues, gut inflammation and anxiety with regenerative foods and Ayurvedic practices. Simple daily practices of decreasing caffeine, supporting my nervous system, and my morning tea ritual transformed my mental and physical health.
My daily chai ritual was a portal into a world of Ayurvedic wisdom. The Chai Five Original Blend is rooted in and inspired by my grandmother's recipe. After my grandmother passed away, I asked my mother about the origins of her recipe. She came from a family of Ayurvedic healers, and she taught me the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine and herbalism. The wisdom contained in this recipe was like an anthology preserved through the lived experience of my grandmother and my ancestors who came before her. These conversations with my mother (over chai, about chai) led me to learn more about Ayurvedic herbal preparation, plant energetics and seasonality, elemental synergy in Ayurveda and more.
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. I believe in the power of tiny healing rituals, especially when done with intention and presence. I invite you to experience our blends as both nourishment and as a vessel to create your own tiny healing ritual. May it provide a moment of connection, joy, and healing to start your day.
With love and lattes,
Ani
Founder, Chai Five Organics
The story of how I started Chai Five as business began when I lived on the Indian Ocean coast of Africa. I saw how the ritual and tradition of chai connected cultures across 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.
Empowering Farmers & Communities:
In 2016, I started a project focused on ending exploitation and trafficking of young girls through education and support in a poor community in Mozambique. I also connected with local farms up the coast in Zanzibar growing biodynamic spices. I learned about the importance of supporting regenerative agro-forestry practices and preserving coastal ecosystems. When funding ran out for my girls education project, I decided to launch a chai business to financially support the community project instead of relying on charity. 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.
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We source directly from organic farms and agro-forestry projects that preserve heirloom varietals and protect biodiversity to maintain sustainability, transparency and traceability.
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We work to preserve ancestral wisdom and traditional Ayurvedic knowledge passed down in our family and share it to benefit others.
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Our founder grew up in a multi-cultural, multi-generational immigrant family with ancestral roots in India. Our diverse staff is also entirely comprised of BIPOC individuals.
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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.
