SAN-CHA Gourmet Tea 

March 2016 - New Delhi

"Life is like a cup of tea, It's  All in how you Make It". The recent post on SAN-CHA facebook reads thus. To this I would add " The Taste of Tea that one drinks, depends on how one buy It". We buy tea (leaves that I am referring here) in various ways ! pick the packed variety from the local store or sometimes through online shopping. Every one has his / her favorite packed tea which has been consumed in our homes for years and mostly we tend to stick to a particular brand.   

If you fall in this category (which I assume most of us are), then you only need to change this habit and make tea buying an enjoyable activity in itself. I bet you would never regret having made this decision. But, to indulge in this 'tea' activity you need to visit SAN-CHA, the tea boutique in Delhi, DLF Gurgaon or Mumbai. 

San-cha retails the most amazing array of tea from its outlets at Shantushti on Race Course Road or from their main outlet at Daryaganj - both in Delhi, DLF Gurgaon and now lately from their store at Kala Ghoda in Mumbai.

The main outlet at Daryaganj is my go to place when I need to pick my stock of tea and how I look forward to the trip to the bustling Daryaganj at the periphery of the chaotic Delhi 6. Stepping into this boutique through its glass door immediately transfers one to a peaceful and orderly abode while outside chaos prevails with buses, cars, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and a sea of heads jostling for the limited road space. The cacophony gives way to serenity. My eyes smile at the sight of colorful embroidered tea pouches and containers holding the precious goodies neatly displayed on the racks. Two cane sofas with adequate tables arranged by one of the walls have old posters, photographs on tea, its origin and a large India Tea Board poster mapping out the tea producing regions in the country and the characteristics of the tea plucked in each region. The colonial furniture and colors provides just the right ambiance to embark on a tea journey and sense the aroma of tea grown in the lofty Himalayan Darjeeling or Kangra to the more inland Niligiris and Munnar.  

Unlike a store or a mall you do not call out the brand name here. The ever smiling and courteous young hostesses Dibuan would enquire your tea preference and how you like to have it. She picks up some of the best tea basis your preference and gets it instantly brewed (there is a tea brewing counter by the entrance manned by the brewer) and then presents the tea and the pouch or the container of the same tea for you to first feel the tea, smell the aroma and then savor the freshly brewed cuppa before you decide on your purchase.

I am always spoiled for choice here! The tea comes in exotic and unheard of flavors, textures and aroma. The range is vast and one may be tempted to take all . Be it Black or orthodox, Green or White Tea, Oolong or Masala Chai or the the SAN-CHA specials. You can also choose your pick in the regular loose or in tea Bags. Flavors runs through Jasmine, Lavender, Rose, Assam Single Malt, Moroccan Mint, Jasmine, Lemon Grass, Lemon, Cinnamon, Ginger, Vanilla and Cardamom. All delicately blended by the Mater Tea Blender Sanjeev Kapoor from the finest teas grown in India and abroad.

                                         

SAN CHA outlet at Daryaganj is famously known as 'Aap Ki Pasand', started its journey in 1981 and Mr Kapoor spreads a tea platter that can be to the liking of any discerning tea aficionado. Having worked in tea industry for more than four decades, he certainly knows his tea! You do not often come across such exotic tea each distinct for its notes - grassy or woody, flowery or muscatel. 

SAN-CHA's 28 Carat tea , a blend of Assam leaves makes a good daily tea cuppa. They also sell finely crafted tea infusers, metal container that can functions as tea bag, strainers and cups.

Coordinates

Delhi

Aap Ki Pasand 

15 Netaji Subhas Marg, Opp- Golcha Cinema, Daryaganj, New Delhi

Open from 10 am to 7 pm except Sundays

011-23260373

Store No 20, Santushti Shopping Comple

Opp - 7 Race Course Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

Open 10 am to 6:30 pm except Sundays

011-64590373

Mumbai

Store No 2A, 11A Machinery House, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai

Opp - Trishna Restaurant

Open 12 pm to 10 pm except Mondays

022-40020852

Gurgaon

209A DLF Cross Point Market

DLF City Phase 4, Gurgaon

Open 11 am to 8 pm except Tuesdays

0124-4255511