Taking a break from coffee and cocktails, our Editor Elaine turned to the next best thing – tea – until she realised: it might actually be THE best thing.
I was never a “tea person”. Don’t get me wrong: I do love an occasional Earl Grey, or sipping on some pu’er when I go yum cha with my fam. But, like any other hard-pressed city dweller, I depend on americanos and adrenaline (and a bit of alcohol, ahem) to get through my week. That is until I realise: I need something to drink during my downtime, too – when I want a peace of mind, or switch up my morning/afternoon tea routine. So, hoping to find something fresh for my palate, I took up the task of tasting some tea offered by Chinese Tea Gallery – and giving you my honest thoughts.
Trying the tea-riffic teas from Chinese Tea Gallery
Chinese Tea Gallery is a trusted brand founded all the way back in the 1950s, so I knew I was in safe hands when they sent me some of their products to sample. The teas came to my door one morning, with the Peppermint and Lychee Rose tea sachets packaged in chic, light orange cylinders; beside them were two elegant little tins of loose leaf teas (I later found out that they’re aptly named “Tea-riffic Tins”), one containing Camellia Oolong and the other, Japanese Genmaicha.
Then, it was time to brew when the clock struck 3:15! As expected, the tea sachets were super convenient to use – perfect for those of us in the office or constantly on the go. What I didn’t expect, though, was how little tea dust there was, compared to regular tea bags. This certainly explained why the teas were so packed with flavour! The Lychee Rose tea was a light, calming brew, with an excellent balance of fruity and floral notes (this truly brightened up my day!). On the other hand, the Peppermint tea was less intense and minty than the other ones I’ve tried before; rather, they carried a deeper, more soothing flavour, with herby and grassy hints. Each sachet lasted a good couple of brews.
For those of you who are a bit more serious about steeping your own cuppa, I’d recommend the loose leaf teas at Chinese Tea Gallery (be sure to have an infuser or strainer in hand!). Containing a generous amount of roasted popped brown rice alongside whole green tea leaves from the Shizuoka prefecture in Japan (yes, Chinese Tea Gallery sources premium teas from outside of China, too), the Genmaicha was nutty and almost savoury – but also toasty and left me feeling pleasantly zen.
Finally, I introduce to you my absolute favourite: the Camellia Oolong. It’s my first time having this combo, and I must say: I love it. The oolong was enhanced by a lovely floral fragrance, making the tea smooth and refreshing to drink. I think this is a great entry-level tea, as it’s subtly sweet. Plus, the Tea-riffic Tins come with cards that give detailed, bilingual instructions on how to brew the tea, depending on how strong you want it to be. So, don’t fret even if you’re an amateur tea drinker (like me)!
A taste of Hong Kong history
Knowing about the history behind Chinese Tea Gallery has made me appreciate its teas even more. Established by the present owner’s great-grandfather, the brand started out as a wholesaler in this city, and has since been passed down across four generations. Continuing its commitment to tea, Chinese Tea Gallery is now hoping to attract a younger audience – that’s you and me! – with modernised designs, unique gifts, and blends – all at an affordable price.
Discover your favourite cuppa today with Chinese Tea Gallery
Are you looking to explore the world of tea, or just down to try something new? Pamper yourself with a cuppa from Chinese Tea Gallery. Or, treat your mum this Mother’s Day!
Shop Chinese Tea Gallery online.
Physical store: Room A, 6/F, Yam Hop Hing Industrial Building, 40-44 Kwai Wing Road, Kwai Chung, Hong Kong, p. 2816 2659
Pop-up: Women in Work (WIW), Shop 18, Tsim Sha Tsui East MTR Station, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong
This post is sponsored by Chinese Tea Gallery.
