Sipping tea has been taken to a whole new level with the opening of an exclusive 'tea bar' that is offering connoisseurs a place to enjoy their favourite beverage in 40 varieties both hot and cold.
The Planters Tea Bar and Cafe set up in Aminabad area here quite recently aims to rack up the brew's popularity with the younger generation, among whom the culture of bars and cafes are more popular.
"My father started this tea business in 1956 when he used to go on a cycle selling tea. At that time there were no loose tea counters in the city. In 1961 our firm was officially registered as one of the first tea retailers in Lucknow and since then 'Planters Tea' has been continuing as a legacy," says Rajendra Kumar Gupta the owner.
"Here we have numerous tea stalls which sell only one or two types of tea. Our motive is to let tea lovers discover the varieties available. Even the normal CTC tea that we have here is the third or fourth variety of tea leaves. The first one is exported to different countries and the second one goes to bigger places like Gujarat, Mumbai and Kolkata.
"So we wanted the even Lucknowites to try the export quality ones which we have recently bought from Kolkata, says Rajendra Gupta," says Kumar.
The cafe stocks a plethora of varieties of tea ranging white tea where the brew is silvery white instead of brown and the cafe's self-made Planter's Voodo, which is served iced.
"The 'white tea' is very expensive and is rare to find with any seller in Uttar Pradesh. Priced Rs 12,000 per kg, the tea is white liquor and the best part is that its leaves can be used thrice to make the beverage," says Udit Narayan Gupta of Tea Bar.
Gupta points out that white tea is an antioxidant and helps cure ailments of heart, knee, and cancer apart from being good for the teeth.
Other varieties of tea include mixed fruit tea which is
made with added flavors and can be served both icy and hot.
"We are yet to add some south Indian teas, the best of which are grown from January to March. So we will limit it during that time period when the best of variety is available. Then we are also trying to get tea from Sri Lanka which is also a kind of flavoured tea," says Gupta.
'Methi tea' is advertised by the cafe as being good for diabetics.
All the various varieties of tea have been collected from various places. While the white tea and Oolong tea has been sourced from Darjeeling the flavoured teas come from Sikkim and Delhi.
Located amidst the hustle-bustle of the old city, the rates of beverages at the tea bar range from Rs 35 to Rs 65.
"Frankly speaking, we would have earned more profit had the tea bar been in Hazratganj but we have deliberately started with Aminabad because it is a wholesale market and commodities here are more affordable for everyone," says Gupta.
Another reason in favour of the location is that the property is the owners' own.
"We own the property where we have set up this bar and so we don't have to cover the cost of any rented place from our customers," says Gupta.
Future plans include opening another branch "within two or three months" in an area like Hazratganj or Gomti Nagar which is more accessible to youngsters.
"However, the rates may vary a bit from here as those areas are more expensive," says Gupta.
Snacks to go along with the cup of tea range from pan pizzas to different rolls and customised bakery products. Eatables like momos are also on the anvil.
