Our mission is to provide the wholesome goodness of handcrafted chai, as enjoyed across India for decades.
The Chai Cart is a purveyor of handcrafted Indian teas. Our endeavor is to redefine the chai experience in the US by serving good, honest chai, not sugar. We are based in San Francisco.
What is chai?
Chai means tea in Hindi. Specifically, chai is black tea brewed with milk and spices.
Most cafes in the US serve a "chai latte" made by steaming milk and a black tea concentrate (typically very high in sugar).
Our Plan
Chai carts are a commonplace in the streets of India. But there isn't one in the US, yet. We want to launch the first chai cart in the US in San Francisco.
We want to serve chai that is made from scratch (the traditional Indian way) with organic tea, organic milk, organic sugar and spices. Our chai is lightly sweetened - just enough to bring out the flavors of the spices. We want our customers to sweeten it to their taste.
We want to get a custom-made push cart that meets the requirements of the SF Health Department and obtain mobile food cart permits to place the cart on Market St in the Financial District during the week and on Valencia St in the Mission on weekends.
The cost of the cart is about $8000 and permits is about $1800.
Our Products
Our Chai Brews are one of a kind! They're the ONLY chai concentrate that are unsweetened, micro-brewed and come in a reusable glass bottle! They are sold at several Whole Foods Market in the Bay Area.
The Loose Teas are made for quick brewing and are packed with real spices and herbs for maximum flavor. The teas come in a tin container with a glass top which can be reused as gift/jewelry boxes or to store spices.
Our Spice Blend is simply exquisite! Use it for tea or get creative.
We use organic and fair-trade tea for all our products.
Art of Chai Class
The best cup of chai is one you make yourself. We offer classes that provide a deeper understanding of chai - its history and cultural roots, methods of preparation, and how to choose its main components – tea, spices, milk.
During the class you will enjoy a tasting of our signature Masala Chai and Rose Chai with some “chaat” (Indian street food) to complete the chai time experience.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
34
Backers
$1,277
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on October 28, 2011.
Funding period
Sep 28, 2011 -
Oct 28, 2011
(30 days)
- First created · 2 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: thechaicart.com
Pledge $10 or more
7 backers
A voucher for three large cups of hot chai at The Chai Cart (retail value is $10.50).Can be redeemed in multiple visits.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $20 or more
6 backers
A voucher for 7 large cups of hot chai at The Chai Cart (retail value is $24.50). Can be redeemed in multiple visits.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $35 or more
7 backers
Any two tins of loose tea (choice of Masala, Mint or Kashmiri) or Spice Blend shipped anywhere in the US.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $55 or more
6 backers
Mega Gift Bag which includes Rose Chai Brew, Masala Chai Brew, 2 tin of loose tea (choice of Masala, Mint or Kashmiri) and 1 spice blend tin. Available for pick up in SF (add $15 for shipping anywhere in the US).
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $75 or more
1 backer
We'll rename the Masala Chai to your name for a week. Plus a voucher for 25 cups of chai at The Chai Cart (can be redeemed in multiple visits)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $150 or more
0 backers
Two tickets for "Art of Chai" class, plus Mega Gift Bag which includes Rose Chai Brew, Masala Chai Brew, 1 tin of loose tea (choice of Masala, Mint or Kashmiri) and 1 spice blend tin (available for pick up in SF). Plus, we'll rename the Masala Chai to your name on the cart menu for 2 weeks.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $300 or more
0 backers
Everything from $150 level plus a voucher for 50 cups of chai at The Chai Cart (can be redeemed in multiple visits).
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $750 or more
0 backers
A private "Art of Chai Class" for you and your friends (up to 10 people) at your house (within 60 miles of San Francisco), plus a Mega Gift Bag (see $150 reward), plus a voucher for 50 cups of chai at The Chai Cart (can be redeemed in multiple visits). We'll rename the Masala Chai to your name on the cart menu for a month.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
A private "Art of Chai Class" for you and your friends (up to 10 people) at your house (within 60 miles of San Francisco), plus a Mega Gift Bag (see $150 reward), plus a voucher for 100 cups of chai at The Chai Cart. We will also mention your name on our website for being a super cool chai-tastic supporter.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2011
