Latheef Tea Stall

If you spend any time in Koramangala, you might have walked past us at some point. We don’t have a big sign or anything fancy, just the tea stall where we make fresh batches all day long. I start early, usually when it’s still a bit dark out, to get the milk and the ginger ready for the first kettle. People heading to work stop by for a quick cup and maybe a biscuit or two. It’s a small space, so things get a bit cramped when the afternoon rush hits. We don't use any special machines, just the old stove and big metal pots. The smell of the tea leaves usually tells people we are open for business. Sometimes we run out of snacks by four o'clock because the college kids are always hungry. It’s a simple life, standing here and pouring tea, but you get to meet everyone in the neighborhood. We hear all the stories and the complaints about the local traffic. Koramangala has changed so much since we first opened, with all the new buildings and shops popping up, but our tea stays the same. We don’t have seats inside, so everyone just stands around on the pavement chatting. It’s a bit messy sometimes, especially when it rains and everyone tries to crowd under the small roof. We just keep the stove going and make sure the tea is hot. That’s all there is to it, really.