In India, chai is not just a beverage. It’s a ritual, a pause, a conversation starter, and sometimes, even therapy. At the heart of bustling offices and chaotic deadlines, a steaming cup of tea often brings people together in a way that no formal meeting ever can. As we celebrate International Tea Day, it’s worth asking: Can tea and tea breaks really change office culture?

Recent studies and workplace trends suggest they can — and already do. Far beyond a caffeine fix, tea time is emerging as a powerful tool for boosting employee morale, enhancing productivity, and creating a sense of community. For Indian workplaces, where chai is part of the cultural DNA, the humble tea break might just be the key to a happier, healthier workforce.

In today’s high-pressure work environments, burnout is no longer a rare phenomenon. According to Deloitte’s 2022 India Workforce and Well-being Survey, 77% of professionals reported experiencing burnout at their current job. One of the simplest ways to combat this? Small, meaningful pauses — like tea breaks.

A study by MIT Sloan Management Review found that employees who took regular, social breaks during the workday were more satisfied and more productive than those who worked non-stop. These breaks improve mental agility, reduce stress, and enhance focus. Tea provides the perfect medium for these moments of pause — it’s comforting, communal, and deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche.

The cultural currency of chai in India

India consumes over 837,000 tonnes of tea every year, making it the second-largest tea producer and consumer in the world (Statista, 2023). But tea isn’t just consumed — it’s experienced.

In Indian workplaces, the “chai wallah” or the tea stall downstairs is often the unsung hero of employee engagement. Conversations that never happen in boardrooms unfold over cutting chai. Hierarchies blur, collaboration grows, and team chemistry improves — all during these five-minute informal catch-ups.

In an interview, R S Sodhi, former MD of Amul, said, “More decisions happen informally over tea than in formal board meetings.” This reflects a truth we often overlook — chai breaks are not time wasted but time invested in relationships and team bonding.

But how? 

Well, tea, particularly varieties like green and black tea, contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. When combined with caffeine, as in tea, L-theanine has been shown to improve cognitive performance and focus.

According to a study published in the journal Nutrients (2021), L-theanine improves attention span and reduces stress, making tea an ideal beverage for workplaces demanding sustained mental effort.

Moreover, the ritual of making or sharing tea serves as a form of micro-meditation. It allows employees to reset their mental state before diving back into complex tasks.

And yes, in a culturally diverse country like India, tea acts as a unifying symbol. Whether it’s a factory floor in Gujarat or a corporate tower in Gurugram, chai cuts across language, class, and title. Leaders, interns, and administrators often share the same kettle — and in doing so, build unspoken camaraderie.

Infosys famously used informal tea sessions to connect senior leadership with junior employees during its formative years. These sessions often led to open discussions, reverse mentoring, and a transparent exchange of ideas — practices that HR leaders today are trying to formalise under employee experience strategies.

Tea rooms vs. break rooms: A new HR strategy?

In progressive organisations, tea spaces are becoming the new collaboration hubs. Companies like TCS, Zoho, and Freshworks have already adopted community-style “tea corners” instead of sterile break rooms.

A study by Steelcase (2022) on workplace design found that employees in offices with informal tea and chat zones reported 23% higher satisfaction with their work environment. These zones are not just about having a drink — they’re about psychological safety, connection, and casual innovation.

As hybrid work blurs the lines between home and office, tea breaks are also serving as gentle anchors for remote employees to reconnect. Virtual chai catch-ups and scheduled tea-time calls are now part of many companies’ internal engagement calendars.

Cut, tea is not only mentally refreshing but physically beneficial too. According to a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), moderate consumption of black or green tea helps in reducing cholesterol levels, improving heart health, and strengthening immunity.

Research by the Tea Board of India and AIIMS confirms that tea, especially when brewed without excess sugar and milk, can also be beneficial for digestive health, mental clarity, and hydration — all crucial for maintaining employee well-being in high-stress environments.

For HR and wellness leaders, offering tea as part of workplace health initiatives — rather than just coffee or vending machine colas — could be a low-cost, high-impact wellness win.

Here are five ways HR and leadership teams can make the most of tea culture:

1. Designated tea break times: Encourage teams to take a 10–15 minute tea break together. This builds routine and community.
   
   

2. Tea trolleys and local brews: Celebrate regional tea diversity. Include Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, and even herbal options to foster inclusivity.
   
   

3. Chai and chat sessions: Introduce weekly informal discussions between teams or leadership over tea.
   
   

4. Virtual tea rooms: For hybrid teams, set up monthly “chai meets” to keep remote employees engaged.
   
   

5. Tea + mental health days: Launch initiatives where tea breaks include mindfulness or gratitude sessions.
   
   

As we mark International Tea Day, Indian workplaces have an opportunity to reimagine how they see tea — not just as a beverage but as a strategic cultural asset. Whether it’s reducing stress, sparking creativity, building teams, or simply showing care, a cup of chai can do what an email or memo often cannot.

In the era of AI and automation, the human moments — like pausing together over tea — will define the future of work. After all, a good cup of chai is not just shared. It’s remembered.