I think it depends.

Where I used to live in the Middle East, the culture was very tea (more specifically karak) centric for sure. But it wasn’t a hobby you get so deep into that you become very specific for the average person.

You just drive to your regular place. There’s only one choice and that’s karak. You sip it in your car, chat with your buddies, and you drive off.

Definitely do miss the late nights there. No alcohol, just tea and still an extremely social society.

Seems like karak == chai karak == masala chai == chai tea:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masala_chai#Consumption_beyo...