How Chai Tea is Made is a collection of stories in the form of poetry as Chai takes the reader on an adventure through his life of self-discovery, loneliness, and identity. Chai aims to push for the transformative power of community as he tells stories of his life through poetry. Embark on a journey with Chai as he shares his relationship with engineering, nature, the cold, autism, mental health, people, and self. The book is split up into these chapters following the actual process of how tea is made: Step I: Growing Tea Leaves (Tales of Childhood) Step II: Withering (Tales of the Nerd) Step III: Bruising (Tales of the Adventurer) Step IV: Oxidizing (Depression Arc) Step V: Fixing (The Aftermath: Rising) Step VI: Drying (Tales of the Artist) Step VII: Boiling Water (Quarantine) Step VIII: Dairy (Social Justice) Step IX: Sweetener (Romance Arc) Step X: Boba / Bubbles (Reflection) Step XI: Mr. Chai Tea (Identity) "Chai is incredibly brave. He jumps head-first into the unknown without a single flinch. He improvises and adapts until he has the audience in the palm of his hand, whether that's onstage or in everyday life." Jaclyn Lee Yangyuen "Chai is a man of many modes: friend- engineer- creative eclectic- journeying heart- boba enthusiast- terrible pun lover- and now, published author, and a damn good one at that. What you may not yet fully realize is that the tome you now hold in your hands is not just a collection of colorful poems, amusing anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections on life, but a carefully crafted portrayal of everything this man lives and breathes... or at least what could feasibly fit in one volume. Chai is a masterful storyteller and a virtuoso in vivid depiction, threading that ever so delicate balance between the hilarious and heartfelt. This truly is his magnum opus and a clear precursor of even greater work to come." Christian Perfas, author of Play: A Reclamation of Soul "Mr. Chai Tea is a wordsmith wizard with infinite ink to make you think. His poetry is rooted in wordplay intellect, courageous honesty, pure authenticity, and a loving gulp of silly." - Alex Petunia, author Tending My Wild "To experience Chai's work is to be witness to an ever-evolving process. Watching him develop and unfold his perception of the world is nothing short of remarkable. One never knows what or how he will reveal his inner mechanics, but when he does, he delivers every time." Arianna "Lady" Basco Sutichai (Chai) Savathasuk, also known as Mr. Chai Tea, is an autistic 3rd-generation Thai-American spoken-word artist in Los Angeles. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, he combines his love for storytelling, comedy, and poetry to promote empathy and share his unique experiences as a nerd and adventurer. He is an artist who fearlessly embraces his awkward side and thirst for poetic expression, reminding us to find joy in our passions and seek connection and understanding. As a regular on the Sunday Jump, Palms Up Academy, and Sims Library of Poetry mic, Chai captivates audiences with his wordsmithing skills, bringing laughter and inspiration to all who listen. Alongside his creative pursuits, he enjoys rock climbing, 3D-printing, collecting board games, and sharing knowledge. From daring physical adventures to discovering new boba stores, Chai's zest for life shines through. You can find him at your local tea shop and on Instagram: @mr.chai_tea