Have you heard of "chai" which originated in India? Generally speaking, it refers to milk tea (masala chai) made by boiling black tea leaves with spices, and it is possible to express a variety of flavors depending on the combination and balance of ingredients.

A popular Ebisu café that focuses on chai and tea, "uRn. chAi & TeA," will open at uRn.chAi&TeA COREDO 3 on Friday, June 30th! We asked them about the appeal of chai, which even those who are unfamiliar with it should definitely try at least once.

The variations of chai are endless!

- Please tell us the origin of the store name uRn.chAi & TeA.
"uRn." means "pot" in Japanese. Pots can be used as tools, such as placing them outside to collect rainwater, or they can be displayed as works of art. We thought the appeal of pots was their versatility, so we named our shop "uRn." (pot).

- Why did you focus on chai?
The team that launched uRn. was searching for a way to create a cafe with drinks other than coffee. During that time, they saw potential in chai, which they had only seen in specialty shops and a handful of cafes.

- It's rare to find a cafe that focuses on chai.
It may still be rare even in Tokyo. I hope that the number of places where you can casually enjoy tea or chai will increase in the future.

- What is the appeal of chai?
One of the charms of chai is that even if the same ingredients are used, the taste can be completely different from shop to shop. In addition to the combination of tea and spices, the amount of ingredients, and even the recipe, the variations are endless!

- Perhaps the appeal of Mugen is that you can only taste it here. Is there a chai that you have drunk that has left a strong impression on you?
The most moving drink I had was the chai I had at a cafe in San Francisco. The cafe served chai simmered in a copper pot and poured it into a cup, and I was IN by how beautiful everything was, from the staff and interior design.
I've heard that chai was originally a drink created by tea producers in black tea-producing regions such as India and Sri Lanka, as an idea to avoid wasting substandard black tea leaves, and I hope to be able to try it someday when I visit those countries.

Our commitment to chai and recommended menu items

- What is the unique feature of uRn. chAi & TeA's chai?
There are six types of chai on sale at uRn. Regular chai is made by boiling tea leaves and spices with milk, but what makes uRn. unique is that customers can choose not only milk but also plant-based milk to suit their taste.

To do this, we need to boil the tea leaves and spices in a copper pot to create a base liquid to mix with the milk. The spices are a unique blend of six types of spices: cinnamon, cardamom, coriander seeds, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. We went through a lot of trial and error to create a chai base liquid that goes well with both milk and plant-based milk. The complex and mellow aroma will lull you into a state of relaxation.

- What menu items would you recommend?
The "Original Chai" is a popular staple menu item with many repeat customers. It is sweetened with homemade brown sugar pickled in ginger and made to a special recipe that allows you to enjoy the punch of spices and a deep, rich flavor.

Original Chai

The cake, made with Hokkaido corn flour polenta, has a simple taste with the sweetness of corn that goes well with tea or chai. The "Carrot Polenta Cake" has sometimes sold out during business hours at the Ebisu store.

We also offer our own simple-tasting scones made with whole wheat flour. All of our sweets are made with the chai in mind, so we hope you will find your own favorite combination.

Scones

-What made you decide to open a store in COREDO Muromachi?
I was attracted to the fact that it is a place visited by many different people, including those who are there for business, those visiting with friends and family, those on holiday, and those who live in the local area.

- Finally, please give us a message for the customers of COREDO Muromachi.
At uRn. chAi & TeA, we aim to provide a sense of warmth and intimacy in everything we do. We hope that our space, which is somehow nostalgic and yet feels new, will make you feel as comfortable as if you were meeting a friend or family member for the first time in a long time.