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As the morning air turns
nippy , and the thirst for a steaming cuppa over a lively adda grows on
you, give your good ol' milk tea a rethink. Yes, the Darjeeling, Assam
and Nilgiri varieties will always be around, but when did you last sip
international teas like Silver Needle, Smoky Chinese Lapsang, Mate and
the likes? Now you'll say these are not available in Kolkata stores.
True, but they can be easily bought online. So, here's a look at the
options you have...
BUBBLE
This Taiwanese drink contains a tea base, mixed with froth or milk and chewy tapioca ballspearls or even fruit jellies. Usually served cold, this tea has a slushy consistency and is blended using ice. It is available in fruity or milk tea varieties. In India, however, this tea is popularly sold in flavours such as green apple, mango and tapioca.
PRICE: Rs.150 to Rs.200 for one sachet of a flavour plus tapioca pearls
SILVER NEEDLE
This Chinese variant of white tea is also one of the most expensive varieties. Lightly oxidised and best brewed in mild boiling water, it has a sweet, vegetal and delicate taste and is mostly opted by those who are not too fond of drinking strong teas. Silver Needle should not be brewed for more than five minutes and should be left in the water for about three minutes before poured into a cup.
PRICE: Rs.500 to Rs.900 for 10 tea bags
GENMAICHA
That’s the Japanese name for green tea, though this variant comes with roasted brown rice as an ingredient. Often referred to as ‘popcorn tea’, this variant is brewed in way slightly different from the usual green tea. It has to be boiled and not dipped, with the brewing time not exceeding 30 seconds.
The tea has a mild yellow hue and has several health benefits like improving skin texture and cardiovascular health.
PRICE: Rs.300 to Rs.500 (for 16 tea bags)
SOUTH AFRICAN RED
Also known as Rooibos, this herbal or bush tea is typically consumed in South Africa. The leaves are oxidised and thus get a reddish-brown colour.
Though it’s a variant of the popular green tea, it has a malty and slightly grassy flavour and is typically consumed without milk. Apart from tea, the South African Red also has its variety of coffees, which are served as red lattes or cappucinos.
PRICE: Rs.450 to Rs.550 for 250 gm
MATE
Mate or Yerba Mate, as it’s popularly known, this South American caffeine-rich drink that’s consumed especially in Argentina, is traditionally prepared by brewing dried leaves of yerba mate in hot water and is served with a silver straw. However, one can also prepare it by boiling it in water for about 20 seconds.
The health benefits of this hot beverage are many — it increases blood circulation and prevents gum and tooth decay.
PRICE: Rs.450 to Rs.800 for 250 gm
This Taiwanese drink contains a tea base, mixed with froth or milk and chewy tapioca ballspearls or even fruit jellies. Usually served cold, this tea has a slushy consistency and is blended using ice. It is available in fruity or milk tea varieties. In India, however, this tea is popularly sold in flavours such as green apple, mango and tapioca.
PRICE: Rs.150 to Rs.200 for one sachet of a flavour plus tapioca pearls
SILVER NEEDLE
This Chinese variant of white tea is also one of the most expensive varieties. Lightly oxidised and best brewed in mild boiling water, it has a sweet, vegetal and delicate taste and is mostly opted by those who are not too fond of drinking strong teas. Silver Needle should not be brewed for more than five minutes and should be left in the water for about three minutes before poured into a cup.
PRICE: Rs.500 to Rs.900 for 10 tea bags
GENMAICHA
That’s the Japanese name for green tea, though this variant comes with roasted brown rice as an ingredient. Often referred to as ‘popcorn tea’, this variant is brewed in way slightly different from the usual green tea. It has to be boiled and not dipped, with the brewing time not exceeding 30 seconds.
The tea has a mild yellow hue and has several health benefits like improving skin texture and cardiovascular health.
PRICE: Rs.300 to Rs.500 (for 16 tea bags)
SOUTH AFRICAN RED
Also known as Rooibos, this herbal or bush tea is typically consumed in South Africa. The leaves are oxidised and thus get a reddish-brown colour.
Though it’s a variant of the popular green tea, it has a malty and slightly grassy flavour and is typically consumed without milk. Apart from tea, the South African Red also has its variety of coffees, which are served as red lattes or cappucinos.
PRICE: Rs.450 to Rs.550 for 250 gm
MATE
Mate or Yerba Mate, as it’s popularly known, this South American caffeine-rich drink that’s consumed especially in Argentina, is traditionally prepared by brewing dried leaves of yerba mate in hot water and is served with a silver straw. However, one can also prepare it by boiling it in water for about 20 seconds.
The health benefits of this hot beverage are many — it increases blood circulation and prevents gum and tooth decay.
PRICE: Rs.450 to Rs.800 for 250 gm
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