David Rio - This is us

Since our founding in 1996, we have been dedicated to crafting the perfect chai, offering you authentic blends made from high-quality, natural ingredients. We combine tradition with innovation, place great emphasis on sustainability, and have supported the protection of endangered species from day one.

Discover more about our history, our vision, and how our family-owned company passionately stands for exceptional chai and a better world.

Our history

David Rio was founded in 1996 by Rio Miura and David Scott Lowe. In the beginning, we focused on selling rare tea specialties, coffee, and accessories in Rio's home country, Japan.

Our first chai, Elephant Vanilla Chai®, was originally intended only for the Japanese market. However, the unexpectedly high demand in America—from both consumers and wholesalers—inspired us to establish our office in San Francisco and officially launch sales in Scott’s home country.

Building on the success of our Elephant Vanilla Chai®, we created a new blend: Tiger Spice Chai®, a bolder chai with stronger spice notes, which quickly became our signature blend.

Since then, David Rio has developed a range of innovative chai blends under the "Endangered Species Line" to highlight its commitment to wildlife conservation. Each product is named after animals that are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable.

David Rio annually supports the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), specifically contributing to their elephant and tiger programs. Additionally, the company engages with local organizations in the Bay Area, partnering with the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA since 2002 and the Cat Tales Zoological Park in Washington since 1999, where it adopted Atlas, a Bengal tiger.

Today, David Rio’s premium chai and specialty tea products are available in over 50 countries and can be found in cafés, restaurants, and specialty stores worldwide.

Our mission

At David Rio, we strive to offer our customers exceptional taste experiences that blend tradition with innovation. Our mission goes beyond delivering premium quality and unique blends—we are committed to sustainable practices and dedicated to wildlife conservation. Every product is crafted to create an unforgettable experience, delighting the palate while making a positive impact on the world.

Through the David Rio Foundation, we actively support the protection of endangered species and fund initiatives that help preserve elephants, tigers, and other at-risk animals. Our continuous efforts and creative approach to the chai market allow us to spread the love of chai while also giving back to the communities that support us. In recognition of our unwavering dedication to wildlife conservation, IFAW, the renowned international animal welfare organization, honored us with a special award in 2024.

We are incredibly proud of this recognition, which reinforces our passionate commitment to authentic enjoyment, sustainability, and wildlife protection—ensuring that our business makes a meaningful difference.

Our values

1. San Francisco Spirit

We are deeply connected to our Californian hometown, valuing its diversity, liberal spirit, and historical contributions to civil rights movements in America.

2. sustainability

We strive for environmentally friendly packaging, using materials that ensure food safety and aroma preservation while minimizing our carbon footprint. Wildlife conservation remains a top priority in our collaboration with IFAW.

3. education and awareness

By actively advocating for wildlife protection, we foster a deeper understanding of environmental conservation and sustainable practices, encouraging people worldwide to contribute to preserving nature.

4. inclusivity and diversity

Our family-owned company is predominantly led by women. We embrace a diverse team of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions. This diversity has made us strong and shaped us into who we are today.

5. AUTHENTICITY and NATURALNESS

We didn’t invent chai. That’s precisely why we honor the tradition of authentic Indian chai enjoyment, using natural ingredients from the most sustainable sources possible.

6. innovation

We promote creative solutions to meet the challenges of environmental protection and nature conservation and maximize the impact of our work.

Instant chai? Never! What's special about David Rio Chai ...

Our chai is real. It contains real ground tea, real ground spices, plus honey and cane sugar and natural flavors. We want the full chai flavor to unfold from the authentic ingredients used in traditional chai preparation on the Indian subcontinent.

David Rio Chai is not an instant product.

The natural ingredients do not simply dissolve immediately in milk. They need to be stirred well, preferably with the aid of a small whisk. Or you can use the steam wand of an espresso machine. But you will be rewarded for this little extra effort with the very first sip.

Try it now and enjoy the tradition with every sip

David Rio - Power Chai Matcha *vegan* (398 g)

A special combination of black tea and Japanese matcha green tea with a finely balanced blend of spices. Sweetened with cane sugar and flavored with ginger, this invigorating chai is vegan as it contains no milk components.The classic and well-known tin of Power Chai Matcha comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Orca Spice Chai *zuckerreduziert* (337 g)

David Rio - Orca Spice Chai *reduced sugar* (337 g)

With black tea, sucralose, cinnamon and cardamom. For the preparation of a sugar-reduced, typically Indian, creamy chai.David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known Orca Spice tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 337 g.

Contents: 0.337 kg (€38.43* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - White Shark Chai (398 g)

The White Shark Chai is a blend of white and green tea that refreshes with a crisp citrus note and a subtle pepper kick.David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known White Shark tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

Tip

David Rio - Tiger Spice Chai (398 g)

A strong Indian black tea spice blend that becomes a creamy drinking experience with dairy-free cream and honey. The classic among chais. With black tea, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known Tiger Spice tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Power Chai Espresso *vegan* (398 g)

A well-rounded combination of black tea and espresso with a finely balanced blend of spices. Sweetened with cane sugar and flavored with ginger, this invigorating chai is vegan as it contains no milk components.The classic and well-known tin of Power Chai comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Tortoise Green Tea Chai (398 g)

A light green tea-based chai with honey, exotic spices and cinnamon.David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known tin of Tortoise Chai comes with 398 g of content in a practical household size.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Toucan Mango Chai (398 g)

A fruity chai with black tea, exotic spices and natural mango flavor.David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known Toucan Mango tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Tiger Spice Chai *decaf* (398 g)

David Rio - Retail - Tiger Spice Chai *decaf* (398 g)

Caffeine-free, full-bodied chai. Black tea spice blend with a hint of cinnamon and other exotic spices, completely caffeine-free. David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known Tiger Spice decaf tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 398 g.

Contents: 0.398 kg (€32.54* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Black Rhino Cocoa Chai *vegan* (456 g)

A harmonious chai made from black tea, fine spices and cocoa.The Black Rhino Cocoa Chai combines David Rio's signature masala spices with high-quality, rich cocoa to create an indulgent chocolate treat that can be served ice cold or steaming hot.Every delicious cup helps to protect rhinos in their natural habitat. Because David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink.The classic and well-known Black Rhino Chai comes with 456 g content in a practical household size.

Contents: 0.456 kg (€28.40* / 1 kg)

€12.95*

David Rio - Flamingo Vanilla Chai *decaf + zuckerreduziert* (337 g)

David Rio - Flamingo Vanilla Chai *decaf + reduced sugar* (337 g)

Sugar-reduced chai blend made from decaffeinated black tea, vanilla flavoring and exotic spices. Comparable to Elephant Vanilla, but sugar-reduced and decaffeinated.David Rio has always been a guarantee for an exceptionally good chai and, on top of that, you support endangered animal species with every cup you drink. So every time you enjoy a David Rio Chai, you feel twice as good.The classic and well-known Flamingo Vanilla tin comes in a practical household size with a content of 337 g.

Contents: 0.337 kg (€38.43* / 1 kg)

€12.95*