By Casey Neill
Kadak Chai brings the flavour of Indian tea to Dandenong Market.
Shabbir Kanchwala serves instant tweak team manufactured, packed and imported from India.
He offers five flavours – kadak, cardamom, ginger, masala and lemongrass.
“We serve tea by the cup as well as tea packets,” he said.
It’s brewed in three steps. The first is to add the premix powder to a cup.
Next, the brewer adds hot water. The third step is stir, and it’s ready to drink.
“Chai is as important as coffee in foreign countries,” Shabbir said.
“Melbourne has such a huge crowd coming from countries where chai is the first they need in the morning.
“Being here for 14 years, we have missed the chai and were looking for a different alternative.
“We thought of coming into this business and today we can see in people’s eyes how much they have missed chai and they’re so happy to get their home-taste here.”
Shabbir said Australian cafes served a more English take on the tea “which is not even close to our spice of chai served at the Dandenong Market”.
“Our chai leaves come from Assam, are blended with our Indian spices and the tea is made,” he said.
In summer Kadak Chai will also serve up iced tea in lemon and raspberry flavours.
“Dandenong is our first market and has given us our first step to our success: popularity in our business,” he said.
“Today we can see so many customers coming in for our tea packets with references for the use in their offices and travelling.”
