A kaya toast inspired tea, over 200 blends and a brew bar – here's why T2 Singapore has won us over
In a city of endless cafes and coffee connoisseurs, tea as a caffeine fix falls behind on the popularity ranks. And it’s easy to see why – a cup of Joe offers a quick bolt of energy and, for many, is a lot more satiating on the palette thanks to its myriad renditions. But all that may change with the recent opening of T2, an Australian tea behemoth – with over 200 blends to its name and 20 years of brews under its belt – that finally finds its home in Singapore.
Once just a single store in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, T2 has now over 75 stores worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, UK and the United States. At its 313@Somerset store, expect all the nuts and bolts of its counterparts abroad, including its colossal range of tea blends, immersive store experience and wide range teaware. We trooped down to the store, and found out why this tea giant has a cult following from all over the world.
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Imaginative tea blends
If you’re new to T2, here’s the first thing you need to know: what sets it apart is its imaginative renditions of tea. Take the Singapore Breakfast – created specially to celebrate the store’s arrival into Singapore – for instance. On the first sniff, I immediately detected kaya, which won nods of approval from Fabi, the store’s tea master. The local-inspired concoction melds puerh, GMC, coconut and pandan, forming a rich, coconut-y homage to the country’s breakfast staple of kaya toast. Other hearty breakfast teas are available, including New York and Melbourne, but if you’re feeling adventurous, go with the quirky Banana Bake or Gorgeous Geisha, which combines green tea with strawberries and yoghurt.
A wide range of classics
More of a classic tea drinker? Go for the store’s plethora of signatures like the French Earl Grey and chamomile. Alternatively, choose from an assortment of tea types, including black, green, fruit, oolong and matcha. If you prefer your tea iced, there’s a range that’s perfectly suited for cold brews, which includes teas like Watermelon or Lemon Sorbet and Very Berry Fruitea Loose Leaf.
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Totally immersive: See, smell, taste
At T2, you’re invited to smell and taste until you find the perfect blend. The most striking feature of the store is an island brew bar, where tea masters create six types of hot and iced teas daily for customers to sample. All around the store are little sniffer boxes placed beside each tea blend, so you can smell its components first-hand. With its whopping number of teas in-store, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. But relax and enjoy the experience – take your time to explore the different tea varieties and talk to a tea master on-hand who’ll help match your needs to the right blend.
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All you need for the perfect brew
The number one trick to making T2’s perfect blend of loose leaf teas? The Teamaker. Simply scoop your desired amount of tea (don’t worry, all instructions are printed on the boxes of tea blends) into the jug, add water and brew for a recommended duration. Once done, watch the magic shut-off system happen as you place the Teamaker onto your cup. There’re tools aplenty for all types of tea, including a handy matcha flask, sleek tea jugs for cold brews and quaint daisy pots for tea time.
Want a closer look? Here’s a sneak peek at what to buy and try in store.
Shop T2‘s tea blends and teaware at 313@Somerset, #01-20, Singapore 238895.