At a market in Melbourne, the smell of chai fills the air—spices like cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon bubbling in a hot pot. Behind the stall is Uppma Virdi, wearing her “Chai Walli” apron and pouring tea into small cups. She’s not just making tea—she’s sharing a piece of her Indian culture. Uppma is the founder of Chai Walli, a brand that has brought real, homemade-style Indian chai to Australia.
Uppma grew up in Melbourne, but her roots are in Punjab, India. Her grandfather was an Ayurvedic doctor who used to make healing teas. He taught Uppma the art of making chai using natural spices. Years later, while working as a lawyer in Australia, Uppma felt something was missing. On weekends, she started making chai for friends, just like her grandfather used to. People loved it. Many had never tasted chai like hers—fresh, strong, and full of flavour.
Uppma Virdi
So she started selling her spice blends at local markets and soon opened an online store. That’s how Chai Walli was born. The name means “tea lady” in Hindi, and it reflects Uppma’s mission to show what real Indian chai is all about.
Chai Walli sells hand-blended teas made with traditional Indian spices—like cinnamon, fennel, clove, and black pepper. The blends are based on Ayurvedic ideas, which focus on balance and health. Uppma also runs workshops to teach people how to make proper chai at home. These classes bring together people from different cultures to learn, share stories, and enjoy tea.
Today, Chai Walli is a small but growing business. It has a warehouse in Sydney and customers all over the world. Uppma’s goal is not just to sell tea but to help people understand Indian culture through chai. For many Indians living abroad, her blends bring back memories of home. For others, it’s a new and exciting taste.
Uppma Virdi has shown that a simple cup of chai can connect people, tell a story, and create community. Through Chai Walli, she’s making sure the world gets to enjoy real Indian chai—just the way her grandfather made it. Read more
Chai Walli, Shop More