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Meet Tipala
chai wala, artist, dog lover
Hi! I'm Tiff. 'Tipala' is an affectionate nickname from my Ba. Few things about Ba: she is my paternal grandmother, she prefers black olives on her pizza, and she really didn't like when I pranked her with rubber snakes as a kid (understandably). She has a heart of gold- in fact, her favorite song is Heart of Gold by Neil Young, so clearly she also has incredible music taste. My favorite time to hang out with Ba is cha time (cha=chai: sweet, milky Indian tea). Her morning routine includes spicy & sweet cha paired with delicious Indian biscuits that are way too dunkable. Living with my dad as a teen, he would make this tea every morning, and I thought it looked and smelled so delicious. I asked him to make me a cup, and I was in love. There was something about the spicy ginger kick with sweetness and creaminess, combined with cozy spices. Now, I'm sharing that love with as many people as I can!
So thank you for being here! I'll keep it simple and straight forward.
My two greatest joys in life are cha and dogs.
You may know it better as "chai". My family has roots in small villages in Gujarat, where the popular slang for this magical tea is "cha". The perfect balance of sweetness and spice, paired with aromatic whole spices and teas, simmered with fresh ginger and creamy milk (or in my case, mylk)... what's not to love? A cup of cha is a treat to the body, mind, and soul. Truly a nourishing and comforting break in the day, it's no wonder India dwellers commit to savoring these sweet moments every few hours.
Is there anything quite like the love from your dog? Since I was a tiny baby Tipala, dogs have been a source of love, joy, and protection. The face of Tipala's Cha is Forrest aka Noe aka Moishi. A true mutt, he is the smartest, goodest boi you'll ever meet. I adopted him from Austin Pets Alive, a truly remarkable no-kill shelter.
I carry the most love for the underdogs; mutts, shelter seals, breeds deemed unadoptable and illegal. Since it is unrealistic to believe I will adopt every homeless dog and give them the life they deserve (maybe someday though??), I am taking a more feasible approach.
A portion of Tipala's Cha proceeds goes to various no-kill animal shelters and organizations around the country. Together we can help those sweet pups stay warm, safe, and loved until they find their furever homes.
click here to see where donations are currently going
cha blends
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masala
caffeinated
CTC assam & rooibos tea come together in harmony with freshly ground star anise, green cardamom & other traditional spices to create a comforting aromatic chai
sale!
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autumn assam
caffeinated
the smell of your kitchen after brewing this tea will warm you up! CTC assam tea, pink peppercorns, dried orange peel, clove & other Fall spices make this seasonal blend oh so cozy. this used to be a seasonal blend, but I like it too much so now it's year-round.
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balsam moon
slightly-caffeinated
this blend is very special to me. nourishing, balancing, and comforting, this is dedicated to any person experiencing the many ebbs and flows of menstruation, peri/menopause, hormone changes. and please remember: menstruation is inclusive and intersectional - not every woman menstruates and not every person who menstruates identifies as a woman.
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golden hour
non-caffeinated
bright turmeric, sweet cinnamon, & black pepper pair with rooibos tea for a non-caffeinated & anti-inflammatory tea
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orange anise
caffeinated
when I traveled to India, a yoga teacher recommended I bring orange essential oil to smell when I'm feeling home-sick or a bit down. in homage, dried orange peel and star anise pair joyfully with assam tea in this uplifting blend
cha dust
spice blend to sprinkle atop your cup of cha
aka tea masala, a blend of spices to top off your aromatic cha. this gives it that extra little spark of flavor, and it looks oh so cozy in your cup. highly recommend for my "I like it strong" chai lovers.
included in all gift boxes
gift boxes
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everything you need to brew your own Tipala Cha blends at home
first things first cha gift box
for the tea lovers
the ultimate gift for anyone who cherishes their pet and loves chai (not as niche as you'd think! I'm always pleasantly surprised at how common that crossover is.)
pet portrait + cha gift box
for the animal lovers
this gift box is not exclusive to people with periods, but it is definitely designed with them in mind. a box of soothing and grounding goodies to encourage rest & recovery during menstruation. makes a very thoughtful gift for people enduring Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, PCOS, Dysmenorrhea.
balsam moon rest & recover
gift box
for the ceremonial menstruators
for that person who has ruffly 1,278 photos of their pet in their phone. is that you? because that is definitely me.
custom pet
portrait
for the animal lovers
hand painted with quality acrylics on 9 x 12in canvas board, easily framed
cutie lil mini portraits! excellent for head shots and side profiles
custom pet
portrait
for the animal lovers
hand painted with quality acrylics on 4 x 4in canvas board, easily framed
mini
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series of 4 square canvas boards, perfect of a series of different facial expression or individual pets
custom pet
portraits
for the animal lovers
hand painted with quality acrylics on 4 x 4in canvas board, easily framed
mini series of 4
apparel
hella cozy
have you heard?
Well, prior to tasting Tipala's Cha I'd only had premixed junk or tea bags that were "chai". They were okay, but lacked substance. When I first tried Tipala's Cha I could IMMEDIATELY taste the fresh ginger and various spices that she uses. That is super appreciated because stale flavors are the reason I've been so indifferent towards other generic chais. Tipala's Cha has definitely changed my life and elevated the Cha experience for me. None will compare and I'm NOT exaggerating. Try it for yourself!
Love, Sam
The iced cha was bomb. All the flavors blasting. So so good.
Opal
Tipala's Cha has a quality spice and sweetness to it, you can't stop drinking until it's all gone. Unfortunately, it does end. The bottle has a bottom which I wish was bottomless. The local honey used is nice and sweet at first but doesn't have the craziness that sugar has after consuming it. It's a sweet success that has me craving it daily! I have to stop myself from chugging it when I open a fresh bottle. That's the truth. I've had a lot of chai but I love this one as it only has the best ingredients. Since I have a sensitivity to foods that aren't of high quality, I know that when I drink this and feel good afterwards (without a sugar buzz), I know it is also doing my body good. Thanks, Tipala! Love this so much!
Myna
Comfort with a kick.
Phil
Thank you for being my virtual hug in a mug every morning.
Mum
Every sip of cha is a moment of zen. I feel centered and ready for my day.
Stevie
This is the first real chai I've ever had, and it's now clear how watered down all the other "chai" I've previously had is. The ginger burns so good :) Can't wait to get some more!
Matt VN
I love this tea mix because of its taste, benefits, purity, and the sense of comfort I get in every sip <3
kiara
Within many trips to India, I have had my share of chai. There are so many versions of this traditional tea, but I have yet to find one that matches Tipala's. The balance of sweetness, creaminess, and spice brings this tea to life. This is the best chai you will ever drink.
Jenn
reach out,
I'd love to hear from you.
