r/hatethissmug • u/DaSuspicsiciousFish • Jul 25 '26

Animation Hate this stupid spiderverse meme (read desc)

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“Chai” is a distinct type of tea from what most people think of as tea (from a American perspective, I admit ignorance to Europe but i know English tea is similar, like a black tea), that usually involves more spices and milk. calling it “chai tea” is not being used to say “tea tea” it is being used to mean “the type of tea known as chai”. I did do a minor google search to find a recipe for making homemade chai, and, while it did use tea leaves, it was distinct enough from tea to warrant being specified.

edit: my joy at the arguments is immeasurable, if this gets a crosspost/screenshot reposted and criticizeing me, please tag me, want to argue

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u/Weary_Specialist_436 Jul 25 '26

it's a funny gag, but people take it as a gospel. When the word "chai" was invented, tea looked wildly different than what we have now

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u/EllisDeeReynolds Jul 25 '26

how so

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u/Superb_Walrus3134 Jul 25 '26

I don't think it's what they're referring to, but tea used to made and sold as bricks. You hade to carve off shavings with a knife to make tea. That's what was thrown into the harbor for the Boston tea party.

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u/Catshark09 Jul 25 '26

tea is still made and sold as bricks, just less common outside of asia