Wisdom in a Tea Cup

Tea sommelier, Anamika Singh, discusses India’s favourite cultural drink. Tea, of course...

- Vinay Agrawal

I know many people in my circle who can’t function without a cuppa tea. Still preferred to its cousin, coffee, tea is the desi beverage consumed across people from varied socio-economic strata as opposed to coffee, which has a slightly upmarket image. A cup of tea sparks off discussion, heated debates, forges connections and bonds, or simply creates a leisurely moment! Though we often consume tea on a regular basis, how well do we know our cup? Are we aware of the difference between chai and tea? Perhaps not! Tea sommelier, Anamika Singh, breaks down this miracle beverage for us.

She retails tea under the brand name, Anandini Himalaya Tea. Speaking on her best-selling blends, Anamika says, “Over the years, there are a few that our guests have grown to love. We have a tea that smells of bonfire, some refer to it as the tea that smells like smoked cheese, for many, it takes them back to their childhood—it is pinewood smoked tea. We smoke this blend for over four hours in our factory back in the Manjhee Valley Tea Estate in Dharamshala. We have an infusion, Firdaus, which means heaven in Urdu. It is a combination of classic green tea infused with cockscomb, saffron, marigold flowers and a hint of cardamom. I was inspired to craft it when I was in the mountains of Lidderwat in Kashmir.”

At some point in our life, we have found ourselves at the helm of a tea vs coffee debate, extolling the virtues of either. So, are we moving away from coffee, I ask. “People are becoming more aware about tea. They have been travelling worldwide and they come back wanting to try new kinds. The fact that sipping tea is healthy has now sunk into many. They would much rather have a cup of loose leaf tea instead of a tea bag or tea with milk and sugar. The tea rooms are making this available for their guests,” she states.