Chaiwalas are mainly people who prepare and sell tea on the extensive streets of Mumbai or on small street side shops. These chaiwalas tend to come from different parts of India and tend to set up shops in various areas frequented by tired and famished crowds. In Mumbai the chaiwalas are also seen on their bicycles especially during the night hours. These chaiwalas are a lifeline for workers, students and harried office goers who often stop by these stalls for a quick pick-me-up. Chaiwalas usually serve tea in small glasses or unglazed clay cups but in recent years they have started to serve tea in plastic cups. Hot ginger chai served with crispy biscuits are just what you need to perk you right up. Also since they cost about ten rupees with about five rupees for the large cookie-like biscuits, it is always easy on the wallet.
Chaiwalas like the legendary dabawalla or the vada pav shop on the street makes up the rich legacy and history of amchi Mumbai. But now suffering from stiff competition from cafes and coffee shops found almost everywhere as well as the question of hygiene and health the chaiwalas of our city are on the decline. But luckily there are always people who refuse to shell out a hundred bucks for fancy coffee and still depend on the reliable chaiwala from down the street for their daily cup of good old adrak wali chai.
