2018 JB LIFE! Magazine Spring.

I hope that Chai tea
and Lassi will become
as ‘comfortable' a drink
as coffee.
Looking around at each corner of the
café will make one discover something
new. Whether it’s a turban, woodblock
stamps, paintings, and travel photos,
each item contains a story that Park
wants to share just like his love for
Indian drinks. He shares, “Each small
piece in the café is handcrafted, and it’s
not about buying these things. It’s about
the lives of the ones who made them.”
During his trip to India, he was able
to immerse himself in the country’s
distinct culture in the best and most
direct way possible—communing with
the locals. His travel to the South
Asian country may be transient, but
the place and its people gave him a
lasting impression. “It is impressive that
the country of 1.3 billion people, the
seventh largest in the world and one of
the four major civilizations in the world,
Indus Civilization, is living in harmony
with various cultures and religions,” he
shares. But ultimately, for him, it was a
sublime experience. “While I was there,
I felt peace of mind.”
Indian tea culture
He studied the art of making Lassi, a
traditional yogurt-based drink that is
sometimes made with honey, fruit, and
spices like cumin and turmeric. He also
learned how to make Chai tea, an aromatic
Indian blend of spices and herbs.
While the café also offers regular
coffee and beverages, Park wants to
capture the taste buds of customers
with Indian drinks that has deep
origins passed down from generation
to generations. “I hope that Chai tea and
Lassi will become as 'comfortable' a drink
as coffee,” he shares.
Park’s love affair with India began a
few years ago, but he wants to keep
his memories alive and celebrate the
trip that changed his life. “I also hope
that this becomes place where people
can find rest for a while, just like a travel
destination.”
47