It started with throwing out the chai.
We refused to serve something we wouldn't drink ourselves.
I'm Jesse. I run Café Meria in Charlevoix, Michigan—a tiny resort town on the shores of Lake Michigan. And the first thing I did when we opened? I threw out the chai.
Other café owners had recommended this pump syrup chai. It tasted fine. But when I looked at the ingredients—"Natural Flavors," corn syrup, things I couldn't pronounce—I knew we had to do better.
"We don't build something to be mediocre. We build it to be the best—the most beneficial product we can create. Because we're humans, and we deserve the cleanest, realest ingredients. Especially when it comes to what we put in our bodies."
So we sourced the highest quality ingredients we could find. We found a supplier who provides batch testing documentation for heavy metals and shares the results—reported levels well below recent FDA recall thresholds. Yes, it's more expensive. We refuse to compromise on quality.
We created a spice powder made with organic ingredients and organic freeze-dried instant black tea. No sugar, no fillers, no mystery ingredients.
This way, no matter your dietary preferences, you can use any type of milk you want—or just water. Add any sweetener you like, or enjoy it with zero sugar at all. Your chai, your way.
— Jesse
Founder, Café Meria & Meria Chai
Making chai at Café Meria
Population 2,500. Home of Café Meria.
The Journey
From café counter to your kitchen
Café Meria Opens
We open in downtown Charlevoix, Michigan. Other café owners recommend a pump syrup chai—we look at the ingredients and throw it out.
We Make Our Own
We source from a supplier that provides batch testing documentation for heavy metals. We create our own chai from scratch.
HeartBeet Chai Is Born
A Valentine's Day special: swap black tea for organic beetroot powder. Customers love the caffeine-free option and the beautiful pink color. It stays on the menu.
Meria Chai Product
Organic spices + freeze-dried black tea. We package the exact recipe we serve at the café.
We Launch Online
Meria Chai becomes available to anyone, anywhere. HeartBeet Chai coming soon.
What We Believe
The principles that guide every batch we make
Our supplier provides batch testing documentation for heavy metals.
Organic Ingredients
We source organic ingredients—the spices and the freeze-dried instant black tea.
Your Chai, Your Way
Any milk (or water). Any sweetener (or none). Works with every dietary preference because we kept it simple.
No Compromise
We don't build mediocre products. We build the best we can—because we deserve clean, real ingredients.
Café Meria
The chai you're drinking at home? We're still serving it every day at our café in downtown Charlevoix. If you're ever in Northern Michigan, come say hi.
101 Mason Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
Open Daily
7am - 4pm (seasonal hours vary)
Ready to taste what we've been making?
Same recipe. Same ingredients. Same care. Just in your kitchen instead of ours.