Coming from an Indian family, tea occurred three times a day. It starts with morning chai, around 9am, accompanied by a quick biscuit (sweet or semi-savory) and/or paratha, and the newspaper (which even in the year 2026, still arrives at the doorstep every morning). Morning chai is the must-have fuel to charge one up and get ready to face the day. Without morning chai, everything will definitely go wrong. 

The chai biscuit is a big deal! Some like a sweet biscuit, some like a cream biscuit, say with orange or chocolate filling, some prefer a not-sweet, not-salty "khari" biscuit so the taste of the chai isn't altered. Parle G, Bourbon, JimJam's, cake toast, packed in stainless steel canisters. The moment I arrived home in Oman, I would run to the kitchen and open all the drawers and cupboards to see what delights await. My parents have certainly stocked it with all my favorite goodies. Now, in my mid 40s, I still do this. It reinforces that I will always be the kid, and they will always be parents. An arrangement I am more than happy with. 

The late afternoon chai was right after siesta, around 4pm, when papa would head back out to finish remaining client work. This was often just chai, no accompaniment. 

Mummy having chai during one of our many trips together to India.

Finally, it's evening teatime! Papa is back from work, around 7pm, and we all get to enjoy a relaxed chai at the dining table, with snacks, typically something fried like samosas or onion bhajias, sliced fruit cake, and an assortment of biscuits. In households where several members of the family work, this is a delightful slice of life to observe. I recall spending childhood summers in Bombay, going from our fourth floor flat to my aunt's third floor flat, and watching several family members trickle in after the workday; the joyous hum of catchup and activity as evening chai is underway.  

While I always had chai in India on my production trips for KUFRI, my real obsession with tea didn't begin until my late 30s. I recall the exact moment... after an exhausting journey from Dallas to Qatar (and yet another flight still left to go from Qatar to Muscat!), I plonked down at the airport Harrod's and ordered Earl Grey, no sugar, no milk. Hook, line and steep'er! It's like something dormant was awakened within me. From that moment, for me, tea is synonymous with comfort and helps me feel connected to home. 

Whether morning, afternoon or evening, and whether enjoyed solo or with others, tea is a pause that comforts and connects like no other beverage... almost 5000 years of tea history proves why this beverage has enchanted us across cultures. If tea hasn't captured you yet, don't worry my friend, it will find you when the time's right for you. 

A masala chai gathering with Timothy Chacko at the KUFRI studio, Dallas, 2025.

Explore KUFRI's latest collection 'RITUAL' inspired by Mili Suleman's love for tea and tea rituals. 
Discover Mili's tea adventures around the globe on IG @mili_suleman