Can I use this for beverages other than chai?

Yes, you can use it for any hot beverage. Keep in mind that the unglazed interior will absorb flavors over time, so if you brew strongly flavored teas or coffee in it, those notes will build into the cup's patina.

How do I clean an unglazed ceramic cup?

Hand wash with warm water and mild soap. Because the clay is porous, avoid soaking it for long periods or putting it in the dishwasher. Let it air dry completely between uses to prevent moisture absorption.

Will the cup stain from tea?

Yes, the unglazed interior will develop color and patina with repeated use. This is a natural characteristic of porous clay and part of the kulhad tradition. The exterior finish is less affected.

Is each cup exactly the same size?

No, each kulhad is hand-thrown on a pottery wheel, so expect slight variations in size, shape, and finish. These differences are typical of handmade ceramics.

Diaspora Spice Co. x East Fork Pottery Kulhad

The 3-second version

Unglazed interior develops patina with use
Hand-thrown stoneware from East Fork Pottery
Traditional kulhad shape sized for single servings
Unglazed clay absorbs color and flavor
Hand wash only
Each cup varies slightly

Why it's on GiftsFeed

Handmade pottery cup made for brewing chai the traditional way

Most mugs are built for volume and convenience. This kulhad is built for the ritual of making one cup at a time, the way tea stalls in India have served chai for generations. The unglazed interior matters because it holds heat without the slick finish of modern ceramics, and because it changes with you—every brew leaves a trace. If you already measure spices and steep loose-leaf tea with intention, this cup matches that practice.

Good gift when

Chai drinkers who brew loose-leaf tea at home
People who appreciate handmade pottery with purpose
Anyone exploring traditional tea-brewing methods

Skip it if You want a large mug or prefer glazed ceramic that won't absorb flavors over time.

What's included

One handmade kulhad cup

If you're giving it

No sizing to guess

Ships as pottery with no gift packaging; wrap separately if gifting.

The details

This kulhad is a small, unglazed ceramic cup shaped for drinking chai. The form comes from traditional Indian tea stalls, where kulhads were once made from terracotta and discarded after a single use. This version, thrown by hand at East Fork Pottery in North Carolina, is built to last and designed for daily use.

The unglazed interior holds heat well and develops a patina over time as you brew tea in it. The shape fits comfortably in one hand, and the slightly flared rim makes sipping easy. Each cup is individually made, so expect minor variations in size and finish.

Use it for brewing and drinking chai, or for serving small portions of hot beverages. The porous clay interacts with the liquid differently than glazed ceramic or glass, which some tea drinkers prefer. Because it's unglazed, the cup will absorb color and flavor with repeated use, building character as it ages.

East Fork Pottery produces stoneware in Asheville, and each piece is shaped by hand on a wheel. Diaspora Co. sources single-origin spices directly from farmers, and this collaboration brings together their shared approach to craft and traceability.

Diaspora Co.

Diaspora Spice Co. x East Fork Pottery Kulhad

A collaboration between Diaspora Co. spice merchants and East Fork Pottery

$36at diasporaco.com

Quantity

Buy from Diaspora Co.

Ships and sold by Diaspora Co.. About this merchant

The 3-second version

Unglazed interior develops patina with use
Hand-thrown stoneware from East Fork Pottery
Traditional kulhad shape sized for single servings
Unglazed clay absorbs color and flavor
Hand wash only
Each cup varies slightly

Questions

Can I use this for beverages other than chai?: Yes, you can use it for any hot beverage. Keep in mind that the unglazed interior will absorb flavors over time, so if you brew strongly flavored teas or coffee in it, those notes will build into the cup's patina.
How do I clean an unglazed ceramic cup?: Hand wash with warm water and mild soap. Because the clay is porous, avoid soaking it for long periods or putting it in the dishwasher. Let it air dry completely between uses to prevent moisture absorption.
Will the cup stain from tea?: Yes, the unglazed interior will develop color and patina with repeated use. This is a natural characteristic of porous clay and part of the kulhad tradition. The exterior finish is less affected.
Is each cup exactly the same size?: No, each kulhad is hand-thrown on a pottery wheel, so expect slight variations in size, shape, and finish. These differences are typical of handmade ceramics.