The Loka Chai fountain and how to get it flowingUpdated 2 months ago
What is the Loka chai fountain?
The chai fountain is a signature feature of the Loka Chai Maker. When your chai reaches a simmer, foam rises up and flows into the central strainer, then drops back through the tea leaves and spices, boosting flavour. The cycle repeats—foam, fountain, flavour—and keeps your chai in the pot instead of spilling over your stovetop.
Not every stove will create a steady fountain, and that's okay. Our fine mesh strainer and the way heat naturally circulates mean flavour still flows beautifully, even without a fountain. You might just need to simmer for a minute or two longer.
Either way—fountain or no fountain—your Chai Maker is designed to deliver a rich, delicious cup.
How do I improve the flow of my fountain?
Turn up the heat, but carefully.
Too much heat can cause:
- Foam ups (chai blend rising above the strainer) or even worse, foam overs (spilling outside the pot)
- Milk burning at the base
- Damage to the handle if flames or burners go beyond the pot's base
More heat = more steam = more foam = a stronger fountain. But before you push it, remember: a steady fountain isn't always necessary.
What if my fountain is only a trickle?
Even a trickle of a fountain filters about a cup of chai per minute through the strainer. That's more than enough to infuse plenty of flavour. If you'd like more flow, you can increase the heat (with care).
Why does my fountain stop and start?
This is normal. It happens because:
- Some stoves cycle on and off to regulate heat
- Foam naturally builds, collapses, then rebuilds again
An intermittent fountain brews a beautiful chai. It can help stir the blend and speed up flavour infusion.
What if my chai maker isn't fountaining at all?
Low heat or lower protein milks may prevent the fountain from starting. However - flavour still develops:
- The fine mesh strainer has been carefully designed to allow good diffusion, even without a fountain
- Heat naturally circulates the chai and spices
- Just brew for a minute or two longer to match the flavour of a fountaining chai