Across India, South Korea, and beyond, beverages like chai and Dalgona coffee define cultural identities, with chai as India’s unofficial national drink and Dalgona a global South Korean sensation. Originating in India’s tea gardens and South Korea’s viral 2020 TikTok trend, these drinks embody heritage and modernity and are consumed in homes, streets, and cafes. In 2025, their cultural significance grows as India’s 547-million OTT audience and global Gen Z embrace them. Beverages reflect history, social bonds, and national pride. Through rituals like chai’s roadside stalls and Dalgona’s whipped aesthetic, they forge emotional connections, as seen in X’s #DalgonaChallenge trends.
In This Article:
- Chai: India’s Social and Historical Anchor
- Dalgona: South Korea’s Global Cultural Export
- Beverages as Cultural Bridges
Chai: India’s Social and Historical Anchor
Chai, a spiced blend of Assam black tea, milk, and Ayurvedic spices like cardamom and ginger, emerged in the mid-1800s when British colonialists introduced tea to India. Indian locals adapted it into masala chai, now a daily ritual for millions, served by chaiwallahs in terracotta or steel cups. From Kumaon’s tea gardens to Mumbai’s streets, chai fosters community, with 75% of India’s 96.5 million kilograms of tea consumed domestically, per en.wikipedia.org. Its affordability and warmth make it a symbol of resilience.
Dalgona: South Korea’s Global Cultural Export
Dalgona coffee, a whipped mix of instant coffee, sugar, and water over milk, exploded in 2020, named after Korea’s dalgona toffee by actor Jung Il-woo in Macau, per sprudge.com. Its viral TikTok fame, driven by South Korea’s 80% internet penetration, reflects K-culture’s global reach. Similar to India’s phitti hui coffee, Dalgona’s aesthetic appeal and ease of preparation made it a Gen Z favorite, with #DalgonaChallenge garnering millions of views. In 2025, variations like malted mocha Dalgona thrive, symbolizing Korea’s innovative cultural currency.
Beverages as Cultural Bridges
Chai and Dalgona transcend borders, with chai influencing global tea culture and Dalgona inspiring cafes from Seoul to Delhi. While chai embodies India’s colonial past and communal spirit, Dalgona showcases South Korea’s digital prowess. Both, consumed by 60% of global youth per a 2024 YouGov survey, weave national pride into everyday rituals, proving beverages are potent carriers of identity.
-By Manoj H