A light-hearted video by Romanian content creator Gabi Neshto has gone viral on Instagram after he joked that Indians may have developed a “superhuman resistance” to caffeine. His playful observation strikes at the heart of India’s long-standing cultural love for tea and coffee—beverages that shape morning routines, late-night conversations, roadside breaks and family gatherings across the country.

A culture powered by chai and coffee

In his clip, Neshto humorously remarks, “I think Indians are like immune to caffeine. Indians drink tea and coffee at any hour.” He playfully points out how Indians can accept a cup of chai or coffee regardless of the time—be it early dawn, late at night or in the middle of a workday.

“10 PM coffee? Yeah, sure, why not? Midnight chai? Let’s do it,” he says, adding that Indians seem to have “so much caffeine in their system that it really doesn’t even affect them anymore.”

The video is captioned “Indians and their superhuman caffeine resistance”, a nod to India’s unique beverage habits that have become cultural rituals spanning generations.

A viral hit with millions of views

As of the latest update, the video has crossed 4.7 million views, drawing thousands of comments from social media users who saw themselves—and their families—in Neshto’s observations. Many joked that they genuinely feel sleepy after coffee, while others shared anecdotes of how deeply caffeine blends into India’s daily social rhythm.

Some of the popular reactions included:

  • “At this point, we feel sleepy after having coffee.”
  • “In college, we used to drink 3–6 cups of tea at 3 am after Counter-Strike games.”
  • “I sometimes have hot coffee before sleeping.”
  • “I drink two or three cups of coffee at 2 am to stay awake for work and still fall asleep within minutes.”

The comments reflected a shared humour and pride in the country’s beverage culture, with several users noting that chai and coffee are more about connection and comfort than caffeine alone.

The social heartbeat of Indian beverages

India’s relationship with tea and coffee is deeply rooted in everyday life. Whether it is the morning cup that signals the start of the day, an afternoon break at a roadside stall, or the late-night chai brewed during study sessions, beverages often act as social glue.

Tea remains the dominant drink across most states, while coffee is deeply cherished in regions such as Karnataka, particularly in Coorg, Chikkamagaluru and the coastal belt, where coffee estates and traditional filter coffee continue to shape local identity.

Street-side chai tapris, South Indian filter coffee houses and modern cafés have all contributed to India’s caffeine-rich cultural atmosphere.

Neshto’s humorous take resonated widely because it captured this familiar rhythm—one where the invitation “chai kaisa?” (tea?) is less about the drink and more about togetherness.

(For more cultural stories, see:
How South Indian filter coffee remains a timeless tradition
The role of chai in India’s social culture)

Why caffeine affects people differently

While Neshto’s observations are meant in good humour, they also reflect how individuals respond differently to caffeine. Over time, regular caffeine consumers often develop tolerance, meaning the stimulating effects decrease with habitual intake.

Nutritionists note that factors influencing caffeine sensitivity include:

  • genetics,
  • metabolism,
  • frequency of consumption,
  • and lifestyle habits.

For many Indians, regular chai or coffee consumption begins in childhood, which may explain why many report minimal jitteriness or sleep disruption—even after late-night cups.

A viral moment that celebrates everyday India

The popularity of Neshto’s video underscores how ordinary aspects of Indian life continue to fascinate global audiences. His light, affectionate tone struck the right chord, reminding viewers that cultural quirks—even something as simple as how often Indians drink tea—can spark joy and connection across borders.

As the video continues to circulate, many Indians embraced the humour, proudly declaring themselves life-long devotees of chai, coffee or both.