Teatime with Arjun

Teatime with Arjun. This Teatime—a storytelling series sharing people's unique experiences with tea—we chatted with Arjun Narayen, founder of Raazi Tea @raazitea. Raazi is a brand new premium tea company based out of Fort Greene, inspired by tradition with a great curation of whole leaf teas.

What is your relationship to tea? 

Tea has always been a big part of my life, but only became a part of my career earlier this year. I’d spent years in a corporate job that I enjoyed, but that I just felt never stopped. Year in and year out I found myself chasing the next thing, the next project, the next goal. 

I had always found that tea helped me slow down, so I quit my job and started Raazi with the goal of helping others find those moments of calm throughout the day. I started the business with the simplest thing I could think of—a small chai stand at the Fort Greene farmers market, but I’m really excited to be launching a line of bagged teas this month.

Share a tea memory & its significance to your life/family/culture

My parents grew up in India, where freshly made masala chai is a daily ritual. One of my fondest memories from my childhood is being woken each morning to the sound of my mom pounding fresh cardamom in a brass mortar and pestle that’s been in my family for generations.

When I started Raazi my mom gifted that mortar and pestle to me, and I use it every morning to make a fresh cup of chai. The sound of the brass and the smell of fresh cardamom still transports me home and makes me feel like a kid again.