Is there such a thing as too much Chai?

Tea addiction is a global phenomenon, and Pakistan is no exception. A land of countless mysteries, where many of them begin and end over a steaming cup of tea – endearingly referred to as karak chai.

Here, chai is not just a regular drink; it’s a conversation starter. It’s comfort poured to the brim in those dainty tea sets your mother secretly admires at night when everyone goes to sleep. It’s a shoulder to lean on when days feel excruciatingly long and all you need is a warm hug. It’s also a great way to lure your neighbours out for some sizzling gossip.

The versatility of chai is unmatched. Freezing outside? Let’s sip tea and watch an episode of Suno Chanda. Raining? Time for pakoras (those deep-fried onion and potato fritters) with, of course, you guessed it, tea. Burning hot outside at just 40 degrees?

And if you think I’m exaggerating, watch Maryam Raja capture this perfectly in her Instagram reel here. Sometimes one sip of chai explains South Asia better than an entire textbook

Between Comfort and Addiction

But at some point, the fine line between enjoyment and dependency begins to blur, and this beloved staple for millions becomes more than just a ritual and edges slowly into addiction.

The truth is, tea works both ways. In moderation, it sharpens focus, fuels connection, and relieves stress after a long day. But over time, it can quietly become less of a choice and more of a compulsion. When your mood, energy, or productivity hinges on whether you’ve had chai, the line between love and addiction becomes one.

Individuals attempting to reduce their tea consumption may experience symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue. And while there’s no “official” average number of cups of tea consumed in Pakistan, estimates suggest anywhere from 3 to 5 cups a day for most people. We all know at least one friend who should probably check into “chai rehab” by now.

More than Just a Drink

Chai in South Asia has never been “just a drink.” It is tied to history, hospitality, and identity. The British popularized tea-drinking in colonial India not just as a lifestyle, but as an industry, one of the largest in the world. Ironically, early marketing campaigns often promoted tea as a “refreshing medicine” to boost productivity. What began as a colonial export has now become a cultural import we refuse to live without.

In Pakistan, chai isn’t simply consumed, it is performed. It’s the Shakespeare of beverages; the drama, the poetry, the beating heart of hospitality. Forget the Iron Throne – the real Game of Thrones here is over who makes the best cup of chai. Adjusted to the preference of all, cooked to perfection – not too watery but not as thick as malai. You feel the sugar tingle the back of your throat, or if you don’t take sugar with your tea, you will taste the love it is always made with.

Whether you’re the unexpected guest who shows up at 10 p.m., the plumber fixing a leaky tap, or the electrician flipping switches like it’s a guessing game, chai is the ultimate equalizer. It cuts across class, money, and privilege. And while the country crumbles in countless ways, I’d argue the one thing keeping our collective heart pumping is the unity found over a cup of chai.

One Cup Does not Fit All

Over the years, chai has also taken on countless forms: Kashmiri chai with its pink blush, masala chai with its spicy kick, elaichi chai with that floral warmth, doodh patti thick enough to stand a spoon in, and green kahwa that tastes like poetry in the mountains. Each variant carries regional pride and loyal followers, proving that chai is as diverse as the people who drink it.

The Biscuit Economy

But chai doesn’t travel alone. Enter the biscuit economy, an entire parallel market built on dunking. From Gala (the official “chai biscuit” of Pakistan) to Zeera Plus, from Gluco to Sooper, biscuit companies have built their empires around tea. Half the jingles on TV don’t even sell biscuits, they sell biscuits with chai.

The marketing strategy is brilliant: who buys biscuits to eat them dry, anyway? No, they were born to be dunked, soggy casualties of tea-time across South Asia.

And all of this is backed by serious money. The tea industry is massive: India alone consumes around 1.2 billion kg annually, powering a $5 billion industry that supports millions of jobs. Pakistan, one of the world’s largest importers, spends nearly $600 million a year to feed its national obsession. Pair that with the thriving biscuit market, and suddenly chai isn’t just a beverage — it’s an economy, a cultural ritual, and a daily stage where biscuits, gossip, and hospitality all play starring roles.

The Verdict on Chai

The thing is, Pakistan’s relationship with tea isn’t just about the drink itself. Every cup has been woven into our identity; as a nation, we have more tea in our veins than blood. It is a relationship of love and care. A nation stripped to it’s bare after the colonial period, continues to heal itself with chai and gala. But as passionate as we are, finding balance is the key.

So maybe the real challenge isn’t to cut chai out, but to redefine our relationship with it. Let’s enjoy it for what it is, a cup of comfort, a connector, a cultural tradition but not let it turn into a crutch we lean on completely. Because in the end, Pakistani’s and chai is like any great love story: irresistible, and sometimes a little too much to handle.

The key is balance. Sip it, savor it, and share it with friends – but don’t let it own you.

Here’s a list of not-to-be-missed chai spots across Pakistan:

  • Chai Shai (Karachi, DHA) – your artistic cousin, with cozy vibes and even better chai.
  • Koyla Chai (Karachi, Clifton) – the embodiment of dazzle, with Chocolate chai, Ginger chai, and Sulemani tea.
  • Chai Kada (Lahore) – rustic charm that tastes like old Lahore in a cup.
  • Chaaye Khana (Islamabad, F-6) – the polished all-rounder, with doodh patti, Kashmiri chai, and everything in between.
  • Chikachino (Islamabad) – the trendy hangout, famous for karak chai and late-night parathas.

And one place you can never go wrong with is the Quetta Chai Dhabas nationwide! strong, no-nonsense doodh patti in clay cups, no matter where you live, there’s always a Quetta Chai and Paratha nearby!

So, no matter where you are in Pakistan – remember, the tea is always fantastic!