Mumbaikars usually don&rsquo;t have time for more than a quick cutting chai in between hectic work schedules. But if you take your tea seriously and wish to sample a few exotic varieties, San-Cha at Kala Ghoda is your place to be.
<img title="San-Cha also stocks beautiful flowering teas" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/apr/10San-Cha-also-stocks-beaut.jpg" alt="San-Cha also stocks beautiful flowering teas" /> San-Cha also stocks beautiful flowering teas
This is the Delhi-based gourmet tea brand&rsquo;s first boutique in the city (fourth in the country). With terms like tea boutique and gourmet attached to it, we were intimidated before stepping into the store.
<img title="We loved the pretty chairs in cosy corners, the cup lights and a quaint charm that laced the interiors of the store. " src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/apr/interiors_2.jpg" alt="We loved the pretty chairs in cosy corners, the cup lights and a quaint charm that laced the interiors of the store. " /> We loved the pretty chairs in cosy corners, the cup lights and a quaint charm that laced the interiors of the store. Pics/Sameer Markande
But once there, all our apprehensions were brewed away. The boutique doesn&rsquo;t function like a caf&eacute;, which means you can&rsquo;t sit down and order a cuppa, but the staff will be more than happy to offer several free tastings.
<img title="Apart from green and white teas, the store offers a variety of masala teas too" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/apr/masala.jpg" alt="Apart from green and white teas, the store offers a variety of masala teas too" /> Apart from green and white teas, the store offers a variety of masala teas too
The knowledgeable store attendants took us through various types of teas &mdash; green, white, black and masala &mdash; eagerly encouraging us to sniff and sip each variety. As we continued this process and admired the texture of the leaves under a magnifying glass, we were served different teas. Our favourites were the flower-based teas (lavender, jasmine and rose).
<img title="Hand-painted kettles for Rs 2,200 each that come with two cutting glasses" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/apr/kitli.jpg" alt="Hand-painted kettles for Rs 2,200 each that come with two cutting glasses" /> Hand-painted kettles for Rs 2,200 each that come with two cutting glasses
The cheapest tea available at the store is plain green tea (Rs 150) and the most-expensive version is Presidents Black Tea, which is a limited edition tea costing Rs 1,400 for 100 gms. The Yoga Green Tea (Rs 199 for 100gms due to opening discount) that we tried later at home had subtle hints of ginger and a sweet herbed fragrance to it.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2015/apr/kitli1.jpg" alt="" />
We also loved the mild flavours of the different white teas on offer that cost more than the green teas and are supposed to have more antioxidants too. San-Cha also stocks beautiful flowering teas with flowers that open up in the kettle when immersed in water. We loved the brewing accessories as well: the ceramic kettles and mugs with infusers, kettle-shaped metal infusers and ceramic tea sets caught our fancy.
Brew notes San-Cha is owned by Delhi-based brand Aap Ki Pasand started by tea taster and expert Sanjay Kapur. His son, Nikhil tells us, &ldquo;My father used to work with a tea company for 10 years and later, in 1981, we opened the first gourmet tea boutique in India.&rdquo; San-Cha&rsquo;s teas have also been a part of gifts to international dignitaries by the current and ex-Prime Ministers.

Newly-opened tea store, San-Cha is a haven for tea lovers and offers over 60 varieties, as well as cutesy brewing accessories

A pretty tea party

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A pretty tea party

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