At Bizarre Coffee, we love nothing more than discovering flavors that carry a story—and few companies do it better than The Chai Box. Born right here in Georgia, this small-batch company crafts authentic, spice-filled chai blends that are as comforting as they are bold. We were so inspired by their story, and so in love with their chai that we decided to sit down and interview the founder & CEO Monica Sunny, learning how tradition, family, and passion pour into every single cup. The Chai Box has not only made it’s debut at many coffee shops, notable publications, but Costco as well. With that being said, we’re also thrilled to announce that you can experience The Chai Box for yourself at both our Canton and Woodstock shops!
Meet Monica Sunny the Woman Who Makes Tea Personal
Photo Details: Founder & CEO Monica Sunny and her family.
Q: What did you do before starting The Chai Box, and what inspired you to begin this journey?
A: After completing my Master’s program at Vanderbilt University, I began my career in corporate America with one of the top 10 consulting firms in wealth management. I later shifted my focus to human resource development, helping companies optimize their return on investment. Shortly after starting a family, I launched my own consulting practice, serving clients such as Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Emory’s Goizueta School of Business, Chick-fil-A, and BellSouth.
Q: How did The Chai Box go from an idea to a reality?
A: Chai has always been part of my daily routine. I wanted to share the tradition of making chai with my three boys from a young age. Every Friday after school, we had “chai time,” where I brought out my box of spices and teas—what the boys called “The Chai Box”—and taught them how to prepare the perfect cup.
Because my eldest son, Ethan, had severe allergies, I often invited his friends and their parents to join us at home. They loved learning about authentic chai and even wanted to purchase “The Chai Box” for themselves. Soon, friends, family, and neighbors were asking for it too. One day, we received an order for 50 boxes—and that’s how The Chai Box went from a kitchen hobby to the business it is today.
Q: What makes your blends unique compared to traditional chai?
A: What makes our blends unique is that we do everything in-house. We source whole spices and grind them ourselves, which makes a huge difference in flavor, quality, and health benefits. Powdered spices lose their potency over time, but freshly ground spices bring out the full depth of aroma and taste in every cup. And because not everyone drinks chai the same way, we offer 15 loose-leaf blends along with our Masala Chai Concentrate—so there’s something for every chai lover.
Product Details: Hill Station Chai - Cardamon + Rose by The Chai Box
Q: What has been one of the most rewarding moments for you since starting The Chai Box?
A: The Chai Box feels like a second home. Coming here doesn’t feel like going to work. Everyone I work with is family, a friend, or someone connected through close friends. It truly feels like being surrounded by your best friends, doing what you love – sharing the love of Chai. And the cherry on top? Watching my kids take part in it too.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee order?
A: I usually go for a plain hot latte with whole milk. I love being able to really taste the espresso without adding any sweeteners—it’s simple but perfect for me.
Q: And in Bizarre fashion, what makes you weird??? 👀
A: I’d say my weird superpower is my nose. I have a crazy-strong sense of smell—it’s a family trait on my dad’s side. I can tell when a blend is perfectly balanced or if something’s even slightly off, which comes in handy with Chai!
Product Details: Chai Concentrate - by The Chai Box
If you're local to Canton, Woodstock, and soon-to-be Roswell, GA be sure to check out The Chai Box in our shops! We’ve built a fall seasonal menu with plenty of ways to showcase their chai. From our secret menu favorite, Cozy Core—a pumpkin chai topped with cinnamon-vanilla cold foam—to transforming classics like the Fresh Baked (apple-vanilla latte with cream cheese cold foam) or the Basic Witch (maple pumpkin latte with cinnamon-vanilla cold foam) into cozy chai lattes, the options are endless. Not only do we highly recommend it, we just simply can’t stop coming back for more.
When you come and visit, make a day of it and check out our downtown areas as they gear up for the fall-iday season! We can’t wait to see you!
