New tea lounge offers an antidote to coffee

 

 

Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge with its incredible collection of indigenous and imported tea leaves is here to warm up your imagination. At a time when the youth has become addicted to its mug of coffee, Wagh Bakri aims to reinvent the magic of tea, India’s preferred beverage for centuries. “Coffee is European, tea is desi,” quipped Parag Desai, Executive Director of Wagh Bakri. Wagh Bakri first started its lounge in 2007 and has now metamorphosised into seven outlets, one in Ahmedabad, three in Mumbai and four in New Delhi. The lounge at CP is the latest addition, and we vouch it is worth a visit.

 Among a rich variety of hot tea and ice tea, and tea mocktails, the Wagh Bakri perfect tea and the Wagh Bakri masala tea have emerged as a favourite with guests of all ages. “We prepare the masala chai by mixing Indian black CTC tea with royal cardamom and tingy ginger. This is further accompanied by desirable cinnamon and peeper to give true feel of the Indian spices,” Parag explained.

 The lounge›s menu includes mint, ginger and lemon grass teas, and the exotic cardamom tea. Goodmorning tea is another attraction and is prepared by mixing the finest tea leaves specially handpicked by best tea gardens in the world. Rich in aroma and flavour, this can be the best way to begin a delectable morning. 

“We purchase tea from auction. We don’t have tea gardens abut we have access to the ebst tea leaves across the globe, and our USP is blending,” Parag told The Sunday Guardian. Perhaps that is why in just three weeks since the lounge was inaugurated by Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on 23 December last year, it has been frequented by people of all ages and at all hours from 9 a.m. to 11 pm. “We are thrilled with the response,” the lounge›s PR person Jasleen Kaur said. “Ours is a tea brand that has a history,” she added. “It was floated in 1919 by Narandas Desai, who returned to India on the face of growing apartheid in South Africa. Four years before that, father of nation Mahatma Gandhi had lauded Narandas for his skills and honesty in tea business.”

 Among the mocktails, Tea Mojito is worth a mention. A combination of green tea, mint leaves, lemon chunks, lemon juice, mojito syrup and bottled fizz, its the beverage that can truly unwind you after a tiring day at work. The lounge also sells rare tea bags. Classic Assam, English Breakfast, Earl Grey tea bags are out of the world to taste.

 Among the gourmet teas, white tea stands out. “This exclusive tea from high elevation is picked and harvested at the buds stage, made entirely from downy buds picked early spring. The tea is naturally dried without any fermentation and makes up for a very delicate, flavoured cup,” said Jasleen.

 Parag said that their choice of appetizers has been made with the view what would blend well with tea. “We offer some special sandwiches, quik bites, muffins, and cookies which you can enjoy along with tea.”

 Baked vaada paav and Achari Paneer in multigrain sandwich are nice. Among the cakes, Banana Walnut cake and Apple Cinnamon Slice Cake are the ones that would leave you craving for more. 

“Hamesha Rishtey Banaye,” with this TVC Wagh bakri is in town to make a lasting relation with Delhites. While their tvc has already won the 2015 Dada Saheb Phalke Award for best ad film, we do hope the lounge wins people’s admiration too.