Hetal Vyas, TNN | Dec 15, 2011, 03.22AM IST
BANGALORE: Exotic international varieties are teasing the tongues of tea-savvy Bangaloreans, with tea joints introducing Egyptian, German and South African types along with the more familiar Chinese and Japanese cuppas. Professional tea brewers have even brought in international organic tea, herbal and fruit flavours. But the cheering fact is that the humble Darjeeling and Assam leaves still rule the roost.
The cost could make the aam aadmi choke on his chai. infinitea, the famous tea joint at Cunningham Road, has introduced new flavours like Vanilla Oolong, an organic tea, which costs Rs 2,500 per 100gm and Blooming Green Tea (China) priced at Rs 165 per flower! The joint, started in 2003, also serves Indian, Chinese, Japanese, South African and Egyptian flavours.
Says Gaurav Saria, owner of infinitea: "People really like our new flavours which include South African tea like Rooibos, German herbal teas and fruit melanges (cranberry and apricot flavour), Egyptian (peppermint and chamomile). We sell about 200-600 cups of tea every day, this includes different types of green teas, herbal teas, milk tea and masala chai."
Fruity flavours like orange and floral flavours like rose and khus are also becoming popular amongst tea lovers. Green Theory, a tea bar at Convent Road, recently introduced these flavours along with basic green tea and masala tea. "Customers have accepted this refreshing idea. Also, the idea of brewing tea at the table is very popular. We sell about 30 cups of tea every day," said Vikas Parik, owner.
What attracts people to tea is the aroma and variety. The style of serving and drinking has literally made them 'teatotallers'. You can sip your tea from a plastic cup, a paper cup, saucer and also a kullad (small earthen pot).
"Tea drinking has gained popularity in the city over the past one-and-a-half years. People prefer this refreshing beverage for many reasons, including its nutritive value. Our customers like the thought of a conversation over a hot cup of tea served in a kullad," said Chirag Yadav, owner of Chaipatty in Indiranagar.
Rs 5 to Rs 60, take your pick
Bangalore, once the capital of filter coffee, is now getting cosy with tea. One can get a cup right from Rs 5 to Rs 60 and more. A humble tea centre at Shivajinagar offers you a cup (rather a glass) at Rs 5, and not far from there, a famous tea cafe serves a pot for two at Rs 175. "We open our joint at 5am every day and by 11pm, I sell about 300 cups of tea, which is becoming popular in the city, thanks to its cosmopolitan culture. I know there are many varieties of tea available nowadays, but I only serve plain Assam tea with milk, water and sugar," said Zakir Syed, owner of Bright Tea Corner at Shivajinagar bus stop.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/A-city-of-teatotallers/articleshow/11113732.cms
BANGALORE: Exotic international varieties are teasing the tongues of tea-savvy Bangaloreans, with tea joints introducing Egyptian, German and South African types along with the more familiar Chinese and Japanese cuppas. Professional tea brewers have even brought in international organic tea, herbal and fruit flavours. But the cheering fact is that the humble Darjeeling and Assam leaves still rule the roost.
The cost could make the aam aadmi choke on his chai. infinitea, the famous tea joint at Cunningham Road, has introduced new flavours like Vanilla Oolong, an organic tea, which costs Rs 2,500 per 100gm and Blooming Green Tea (China) priced at Rs 165 per flower! The joint, started in 2003, also serves Indian, Chinese, Japanese, South African and Egyptian flavours.
Says Gaurav Saria, owner of infinitea: "People really like our new flavours which include South African tea like Rooibos, German herbal teas and fruit melanges (cranberry and apricot flavour), Egyptian (peppermint and chamomile). We sell about 200-600 cups of tea every day, this includes different types of green teas, herbal teas, milk tea and masala chai."
Fruity flavours like orange and floral flavours like rose and khus are also becoming popular amongst tea lovers. Green Theory, a tea bar at Convent Road, recently introduced these flavours along with basic green tea and masala tea. "Customers have accepted this refreshing idea. Also, the idea of brewing tea at the table is very popular. We sell about 30 cups of tea every day," said Vikas Parik, owner.
What attracts people to tea is the aroma and variety. The style of serving and drinking has literally made them 'teatotallers'. You can sip your tea from a plastic cup, a paper cup, saucer and also a kullad (small earthen pot).
"Tea drinking has gained popularity in the city over the past one-and-a-half years. People prefer this refreshing beverage for many reasons, including its nutritive value. Our customers like the thought of a conversation over a hot cup of tea served in a kullad," said Chirag Yadav, owner of Chaipatty in Indiranagar.
Rs 5 to Rs 60, take your pick
Bangalore, once the capital of filter coffee, is now getting cosy with tea. One can get a cup right from Rs 5 to Rs 60 and more. A humble tea centre at Shivajinagar offers you a cup (rather a glass) at Rs 5, and not far from there, a famous tea cafe serves a pot for two at Rs 175. "We open our joint at 5am every day and by 11pm, I sell about 300 cups of tea, which is becoming popular in the city, thanks to its cosmopolitan culture. I know there are many varieties of tea available nowadays, but I only serve plain Assam tea with milk, water and sugar," said Zakir Syed, owner of Bright Tea Corner at Shivajinagar bus stop.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/A-city-of-teatotallers/articleshow/11113732.cms