“It’s not just a job, it’s a passion”

For the first of our “Five Minutes With” we spoke with Safia from Chaii Coffee, Prenton. Safia and her husband Ibrahim opened Chaii 11 months ago, a move not without risk in the middle of a global pandemic.

It’s walls adorned with photographs and portraits — it tells a story of family, a story of their life so far. Chaii has quickly become a popular, warm and family friendly café. A small menu (that’s largely vegan and vegetarian friendly) with a focus on authentic homemade food, plus a range of original cakes and goodies with ingredients and flavours we were blown away by.

Before we did anything, we had to try the Chaii. We had high hopes and they were absolutely, and without doubt, exceeded. It’s the perfect balance of spicy and sweet, it’s authentic and it is if we can be so brave— the best we’ve ever tasted. It’s not only the unique blend of spices or the secret ingredients that make their Masala Chaii so spectacular, it’s the fact that it’s made on the stovetop fresh to order. Every single time. Safia’s passion and enthusiasm were clear, we spent 5 minutes with her to find out more about Chaii, about to turn 1 on February 15th.

HOW DOES YOUR DAY WORK?

My day starts at 5am, I make breakfast and packed lunches for the family, then I go straight to work. I bake the cakes and prepare ingredients for the food and daily specials before we open at 9am. I pick up the children from school and bring them back to the café where they stay with me until roughly 6pm, we go home and have dinner as a family. I always have one day a week off, although I try to get two. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN A COFFEE SHOP?

It was my husband’s idea, I thought it would be a risk in the pandemic. I started with the baking and cooking; and then started to learn more about the coffee from your coach Andreas.

Chaii use our Single Origin Indian Tiger Stripes Coffee . A rich and intense coffee with notes of cocoa, liquorice and all spice.  

WHERE DID THE CHAII RECIPE COME FROM?

My mother made chai as I was growing up, the spices are different for everyone, we all have different recipes and I started to develop one unique to me.

IF YOU WERE A CUSTOMER IN YOUR OWN CAFÉ, WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

The Chaii. Also the Masala Chips, I like it when they’re made for me instead of me making them.

Chaii are located at 324 Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead and are open 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am – 5pm on Sunday.