'Ek Cup Chai' is every Indian's basic requirement. In India, chai is not just a beverage. From morning rituals to social gatherings, tea holds a special place in every Indian household. But how much would someone pay for a luxurious cup of tea? While a cup of tea at Mumbai’s iconic Taj Palace Hotel costs Rs 650-750, a Dubai cafe has taken the concept of premium tea to an entirely new level, offering a cup of karak chai for a whopping Rs 1 lakh.

The 'gold-karak' tea

Boho Cafe, located in Dubai’s DIFC Emirates Financial Towers, has gained attention for its ‘Gold Karak’ tea. Owned by Indian-origin restaurateur Sucheta Sharma, the cafe serves its golden chai with a touch of extravagance. Well, literally! The tea is topped with 24-carat gold leaf and gold dust and is served in pure silver cutlery, which customers can take home as a souvenir.

The luxury doesn’t stop there. Alongside the chai, patrons are treated to a gold-dusted croissant to complete the experience. In a viral video, a food vlogger showcased the cafe and its most talked-about beverage, explaining its unique presentation and hefty price tag.

Experience luxury in a cup

“Experience luxury in a cup with the world’s most extravagant karak, served in pure silver and topped with 24-karat gold. Each sip comes with a side of gold-dusted croissant—and the silverware is yours to keep!” the cafe captioned its social media post.

The ‘Gold Karak’ tea, marketed as a premium blend of indulgence and luxury which has stirring up conversations across social media platforms, with users debating whether the price tag is justified or absurd.

Mixed Reactions on Social Media

The extravagant tea has triggered a series of reactions online. While some admired the 'chai's' creativity and luxury, many criticised the concept.

“Crazy how you can get a 1 AED Karak that might even be better,” commented one user, referring to the affordable tea options commonly available in the UAE.

Another quipped, “Never thought in my wildest dreams that I would say, ‘Bhai chai peene ke liye EMI leni padegi’ (Brother, I’ll need to take out a loan to drink tea).”

Some users found the idea wasteful, with one commenting, “Whether it’s gold or not, it will end up flushed down the toilet.” Another remarked, “Ridiculous. Who pays for this clearly doesn’t value their money!”

Are luxury experience trends soaring?

Boho Cafe’s gold karak tea isn’t the first example of indulgent food offerings. The trend of gold-infused dishes and drinks has been rising globally, from gold-covered burgers to pizzas topped with edible gold. While these items often attract curiosity and social media attention, they also spark debates about extravagance and excess.

Despite the criticism, the cafe’s gold tea has successfully put it in the spotlight, attracting visitors curious to experience what a Rs 1 lakh cup of tea feels like.