Ami Pandey

Karak Culture in the UAE A Unified Sip of Identity By Ami Pandey In the heart of the UAE’s cosmopolitan cities, where glass towers and luxury lifestyles dominate, karak chai stands as a powerful cultural thread. This humble cup of spiced tea has transcended its role as a beverage to become a daily ritual, a social equaliser, and a symbol of shared identity in a diverse society. The Story Behind Karak Karak chai, derived from the Hindi and Urdu word “kadak” meaning strong, is a rich blend of black tea, milk, sugar, and aromatic spices like cardamom. Its variations can include saffron, cinnamon, or cloves. Priced accessibly between 1 to 5 dirhams per cup, karak is both comforting and convenient. Widely available at roadside kiosks and specialty cafés alike, its popularity cuts across all communities, Emirati youth, South Asian workers, executives, and tourists—who often gather in informal queues or drive-thru lines to enjoy this creamy, fragrant tea. Tradition in a Modern World Karak found its way into Emirati culture through South Asian migration during the 1960s and 70s. Since then, it has woven itself into the fabric of everyday life in the UAE. Cafés like FiLLi and Project Chaiwala have helped elevate its profile, balancing authenticity with modern branding. For many, karak is not just a drink but a small moment of pause and connection, offering familiarity amid the UAE’s rapid development. More Than a Beverage From humble roadside stalls to trendy tea lounges, karak is present everywhere its warm scent mingling with conversation and city noise. On social media, karak photos are shared widely, reflecting its cultural charm. New-age variants with rose, honey, or saffron reflect how it continues to evolve while maintaining its essential identity: a drink that’s as much about connection as it is about taste. Its modern appeal has also reached the attention of entrepreneurs and influencers, with the beverage becoming a central feature in fusion menus, artisanal tea offerings, and themed branding campaigns. Some outlets now offer karak in eco-conscious packaging or pair it with premium snacks, targeting a more lifestyle-oriented demographic. At the same time, the experience remains rooted in street-level accessibility, where community, casual interaction, and cultural appreciation intersect. In residential neighborhoods, office districts, and even luxury malls, karak stalls have become fixtures of daily life. These spaces, however modest, provide moments of connection between friends, between strangers, and between cultures. They reflect a uniquely UAE phenomenon: a fast-moving society anchored in the simplicity of shared tradition. Tea vs. Coffee UAE and Global Consumption Trends Tea holds a dominant place in the UAE’s beverage culture. As of 2025, tea accounts for 92.8% of the UAE’s hot drink spending, dwarfing coffee’s 7.2% share. Local tea consumption averages around 6.1 kilograms per person, notably higher than the global average of 4.6 kilograms. The market has been growing steadily with a compound annual growth rate of over 5% in recent years, reaching a value of $373 million in 2021. Organic tea, in particular, is gaining momentum, expected to grow by 15% annually and reach $30 million by 2030. The UAE has also emerged as a major tea exporter, with 2023 figures placing its tea exports at nearly $400 million, making it the fifth-largest in the world. Globally, tea remains a powerhouse in the beverage sector. The global tea market is valued at over $100 billion and is projected to grow at a steady rate of around 6.5% annually. Six billion cups of tea are consumed daily across the globe, with China and India producing nearly 70% of the world’s tea supply. Though coffee slightly leads in global revenue, tea surpasses coffee in daily servings and is consumed by roughly 80% of the global population, compared to 57% for coffee. Coffee is growing marginally faster in financial terms, but tea’s affordability, versatility, and health perception give it a unique edge, especially in emerging markets and health-conscious demographics. In the UAE, tea’s cultural and economic relevance continues to grow. It is both a nostalgic comfort and a modern symbol of multicultural identity. From traditional karak to premium organic blends, tea has firmly entrenched itself not only in the local lifestyle but also in the country’s international trade and hospitality sectors. The challenge for coffee to overtake tea in this region remains steep, as tea continues to define community, culture, and daily life in the Emirates. Karak is more than a drink, it is a living tradition. In a country of over 200 nationalities, it acts as a common denominator, one that requires no translation, no protocol, and no status. Whether in a sleek café or from a roadside kiosk, the karak experience is intimate, familiar, and enduring. Its legacy, built on inclusion and simplicity, positions it not just as a cultural staple but as a long-term economic opportunity in both domestic and export markets. As tea culture grows globally, the UAE’s embrace of karak may well serve as a model of how tradition can adapt, thrive, and unify in the modern age.