We at Fifth Season Restaurants have brought India’s most premium teas to Singapore, and have heeded the call of our connoisseurs to give them the royal experience that our brand is associated with. Bringing the most elusive and prestigious teas from Darjeeling, India, Fifth Season has embarked on a mission to treat the world to the tastes of Indian teas. Check out our Tea Connoisseurs’ Gift Boxes today!
“Cha” or “Chai” – call it what you may, this drink has steeped its way into Indian culture, and has left an indelible impression on everyone’s tongues and minds. Trace mentions of tea existed in Indian history – primarily from a medicinal and digestive standpoint – before the British East Indian Company took matters into its hands. Climatic conditions in Eastern, Northeastern and Southern parts of India were extremely conducive for the growth of tea leaves, and before one could even understand what was going on, India (British India) became the 2nd largest manufacturer of tea in the world. Darjeeling, Assam and the Nilgiri Hills in present day Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, produce over 73.5 million KGs of tea in a year, and satisfy the taste buds of at least 50% of India’s 1.35 billion strong populace. Apart from Cricket, tea is the British Empire’s everlasting return gift to India. Once the Queen’s royal drink, tea is now the 3rd highest sold and consumed commodity in India. Indian teas are heralded for their fresh and crisp taste all over the world. The variance among tea leaves grown in India shines through in the royalty of aroma and taste, and the most popular of these are the varieties grown in Darjeeling. The Himalayan terrain gives the tea leaves grown here a unique flavor, and the nutrients in the soil make each harvest of the teas extremely viable.
Darjeeling First Flush: First Flush is defined as the very first plucking of a tea plant’s harvest season. The new growth leaves plucked during First Flush are the youngest and most tender part of the tea plant and are said to yield the purest and freshest cup of tea that plant is capable of producing. The First Flush is the picking of the brand new two leaves and a bud in the earliest spring growth of the plant, as early as February and often lasting through April. These early leaves are usually more delicate and tender and therefore more light, floral, fresh, brisk, and astringent in flavor. Darjeeling First Flush tea is some of the most prized and expensive on the market. It is so special and exclusive that tea connoisseurs consider the first harvest from this region to be the “Champagne” of teas.
Darjeeling Second Flush: The Second Flush is picked as early as April and runs through May or June. Second Flush yields larger, more mature leaves with a purplish hue and silver tips or leaf buds. These larger, fast-growing leaves yield a stronger yet smoother flavor for the finished tea. Teas from this Flush are known for their full-bodied, muscatel, and fruity flavor. The brilliant orange liquor has notes of honey, toffee, and blackcurrant, giving you a luxurious experience. It has a complex muscatel mellowness with an incredibly rich flavour. Second flush Darjeeling Tea doesn’t need milk or sweeteners.
Darjeeling Royal Green Tea: Green teas are always known for their soothing, earthy tones. When originating from Darjeeling leaves, the flavor is at once calming and rejuvenating. Essentially consumed for medicinal purposes, Green teas are becoming more and more popular as a healthy alternative to the usual thirst quenchers.
Masala Tea: Put together with CTC leaves, green cardamom and – everyone’s favorite tea flavor provider – ginger, Masala Teas are better known as India’s evening time saviours. Boiled and brewed with milk and sugar, masala teas are known for their strong flavor and freshness.
Harbouring a sudden craving for tea? How about getting all of these at once? Head to www.fifthseason.sg now and avail our Tea Connoisseurs’ gift packs to transport yourself to the Darjeeling mountains and sip on the taste of India! Once purchased, be sure to check the brewing instructions to savour these special teas in the best way possible. Chaa chai aapnaake?
