Spices from Kerala, tea from Assam: One chaiwala to another, Modi’s UK tea moment brews pride

A hot cup of masala chai brewed a warm moment of diplomacy recently, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared tea with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. The man behind the tea? Akhil Patel, a British Indian with humble roots, and deep love for chai.

The viral moment, now dubbed “From one chaiwala to another,” has resonated across the globe. But here’s something that makes it even more special for us: the ingredients used in the masala tea—like cardamom, cloves, and ginger—are all gifts from Kerala’s spice belt.

Akhil’s brew: Assam tea, Kerala spices, global attention
Akhil Patel, who runs a tea business in London, served the PMs a special blend using Assam tea and a masala mix. That recipe, like many Indian chai traditions, owes much to Kerala’s world-famous spices.

Think of the warm heat of ginger, the subtle fragrance of green cardamom, and the spicy touch of black pepper—Kerala-grown staples that have powered India’s chai culture for centuries.

Kerala in every sip
Kerala’s spice legacy is legendary. From the misty plantations of Idukki and Wayanad to the spice markets of Kochi, the state remains one of the top producers of cardamom, black pepper, clove, and dried ginger—all key to the classic Indian masala chai.

While Assam provides the bold base, Kerala's spices bring the depth and soul. It's a partnership that's long defined Indian tea—and one that just got a moment of global limelight.

A cup that tells a story
For Modi, who famously sold tea in his youth, the moment was personal. For Akhil, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to brew not just tea, but history. And for us in Kerala, it’s a proud reminder that our flavours quietly shape moments far beyond our borders.