Don't Let the Chai Boil Over

How to play

1. Press and hold the stove (or hold Space) to heat the milk.
2. Let go early: the foam keeps rising for a moment after the heat is off.
3. Stop with the foam just under the rim for 100 points. Over the rim scores 0.
4. Five pots, each a little less forgiving. Best total is 500.

Mouse:Press and hold on the stove. Touch:Press and hold on the stove. Keyboard:Hold Space or Enter.

About this game

Every home that makes chai on a stove knows the moment. You turn away for a second, and the milk rises in one soft, sudden wave and spills over the rim. The stove hisses, someone sighs, and the pot needs scrubbing.

This game is about the second before that. Milk doesn’t stop the instant the flame goes out: the foam carries on climbing for a moment. So you can’t wait until it’s nearly at the rim. You have to trust your timing and let go a little early.

Each pot behaves differently. The steel pot is patient, the small saucepan isn’t, extra milk is slow and then sudden, induction is instant, and the last stove changes its mind mid-round. Five rounds, about two minutes, and a cup at the end that’s either perfect or a story.

Questions

Why does the milk keep rising after I let go?

Hot milk keeps its momentum for a moment after the heat is cut. Each pot has a different delay, so the trick is to let go before the foam reaches the rim.

I find holding a button hard. Is there another way to play?

Yes. Open the settings (the gear button) and turn on "Tap to start, tap to stop". You can also turn on slow motion, which gives you more time to react without changing how scoring works.

How is my score worked out?

Each round scores the highest point the foam reached. Anywhere in the band just under the rim is a perfect 100. Lower scores less, and spilling over the rim scores 0.

Is my score saved or sent anywhere?

Your best score and settings are kept only in this browser, on this device. There are no accounts. We use anonymous Google Analytics to see how the game is played (for example, how many rounds boil over); you can switch it off on the privacy page.