By Kumar Da | Hopium Health
The last time I landed in Mumbai, jet-lagged and shuffled between immigration counters, I spotted something quietly wonderful.
A boy—not more than 15—walked through the arrivals hall with a metal carrier stacked with short glasses of cutting chai. One was delivered to an immigration officer mid-stamp. Another went to a security guard. Out of curiosity (and a little desperation), I asked him, “Can I have one?”
Without missing a beat, he pulled a steaming glass from his carrier and handed it to me. I gave him a dollar—probably 20 times more than the chai was worth—and sipped.
It was perfect.
What Is Cutting Chai?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, cutting chai is a Mumbai classic. It’s:
- Half a glass of piping hot masala chai
- Served in a short, single-walled glass
- Rich, spiced, slightly sweet, and strong enough to wake your ancestors
You don’t sip it slowly—you down it in a few bold sips. It’s espresso’s Indian cousin. You’ll find it:
- On street corners
- At railway stations
- Carried in metal carriers through traffic-laced alleys
- Or, as I now know, inside the immigration hall of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Cut to: Cold Days in New Jersey
Back home in New Jersey, the weather turned. Rain, a bite in the air, and that unmistakable feeling that your throat is planning a revolt.
The solution?
Not lozenges. Not cough syrup.
Just cutting chai.
Several small glasses a day—strong, hot, and spiced just right. Somehow, the steam alone feels medicinal. And with good reason…
The Science Behind the Sip
Cutting chai isn’t just cozy. It’s functional.
Here’s why it works when your throat’s scratchy, your body’s tired, or your mood’s flat:
Ginger = Nature’s Sore Throat Soother
Ginger increases thermogenesis (the body’s heat production), soothes the throat, and activates brown fat to help you feel warmer .
Cinnamon & Cardamom = Brain and Mood Boosters
Cinnamon helps with insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, which stabilizes energy. Cardamom aids digestion and supports fullness—so you’re not constantly raiding the snack shelf .
Black Tea = Gentle Caffeine, Real Focus
Black tea contains L-theanine for stable energy, antioxidants like theaflavins for immune support, and just enough caffeine to nudge your neurons into action without a crash .
Chai = Satiety + Comfort
Thanks to the milk (often whole milk or oat milk), chai includes slow-digesting protein. Add the soothing warmth and subtle sweetness? You feel full, calm, and oddly centered .
But… Doesn’t Cold Weather Cause Colds?
Not directly. But cold weather can dry out mucous membranes, making you more susceptible to viruses. Plus, people gather indoors, which increases transmission.
Still, your grandmother wasn’t wrong when she said “you’ll catch a chill.” Science now supports many of these old truths:
- Cold stress affects immune function
- Humidity helps prevent viral spread
- Warm liquids soothe inflamed throats and reduce congestion
In short? Cutting chai is culturally correct and immunologically helpful.
Sip Like You’re Home
In India, cutting chai is never far away. It’s brewed on a street corner, poured at work, delivered on demand—even to immigration officers.
In the U.S.? You may need to make it yourself. But that’s part of the ritual. A few minutes at the stove. The dance of spices. The smell of ginger and black tea.
It becomes a form of self-care disguised as street food.
Final Thought
Cutting chai is small in size, but big in meaning. It’s strength in a glass. Warmth in a chill. Simplicity in a complicated world.
And on cold, grey days—whether you’re in Mumbai or New Jersey—it’s proof that healing doesn’t always come from a bottle.
Sometimes, it comes from a little glass that burns your fingers, warms your chest, and whispers:
“You’re going to be okay.”
— Kumar Da & the Hopium Health chaiwallah society
