Tea has evolved to become an everyday indulgence in peoples’ lives. From mass market options to higher-quality tea bags, loose teas and tea leaves sourced from single estates, the appreciation of fine tea has increased over the years. The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. launches its flagship standalone retail store at ION Orchard on 8 Apr 2016 to cater to this rising demand, and to make tea readily available for tea drinkers.
“At 1872 Clipper Tea Co., we aim to kindle curiosity for tea by providing rich, exploratory experiences that bring people together. We want to trigger and engage the different senses of our customers to provide that experience. More importantly, we want to break the traditional mindset that tea should be consumed hot. There are endless possibilities as to how tea can be enjoyed,” says Rehan Amarasuriya, Director of the company.
With a space of 743 square feet, the new ION store not only includes a retail space, but also boasts a first-of-its-kind in-store tea bar. Besides serving a variety of hot teas from the Essentials, Herbal & Blossoms, Tropics and Luxuries range (tea bags and loose tea available for retail), this takeaway retail concept would also include a range of specialty teas and tea-infused pastries and desserts.
Serving Ceylon’s finest black tea since the founder’s early days in 1872, the experienced tea tasters at 1872 Clipper Tea’s factory in Sri Lanka tastes more than 2000 cups a week to ensure the quality and consistency of its tea leaves. A novelty in itself, the single-origin cold brew pure Ceylon black tea used in the specialty teas is steeped for more than 24 hours and served straight off the tap. This creates a sharper mouthfeel, delivering a cleaner taste profile. Combined with different home-made syrups made with natural ingredients, a variety of iced tea mocktails and iced milk teas are created.
Quench your thirst with hot favourites; Apple Pie which combines cold brewed tea with fresh apple slices, cloudy apple juice, cinnamon syrup, and the Lemongrass-ginger which pairs cold brewed tea with candied ginger and lemongrass syrup. For something milky, opt for the Gula Melaka Tea Latte which uses fragrant gula melaka and crème. All specialty teas are priced at $6.50.
Pick from a myriad of tea blends available, and be impressed by the Alpha Dominche Steampunk machine as it prepares the perfect cuppa hot brew. This innovative machine blends artful craftmanship with state-of-the-art engineering to produce a quality and consistent brew from cup to cup. From classic flavours to fruit-flavoured teas and caffeine free herbs and blossoms, 1872 Clipper tea has all kinds of tea blends that is suitable for all types of tea drinkers. Priced at $4.50 and $6.50 (luxuries range) per cup, don’t forget to try the signature blends Timeless Earl Grey and Cranberry Sunrise, winners of the Great Taste Awards.
If you are feeling peckish, pair the tea with a variety of pastries including the zesty Lemon Yuzu Eclair, $7.50, Matcha’misu and indulgent Earl Grey Truffle (5 pieces) priced at $8.50 each. Customers can also revel in a high tea set which includes a choice of pastry and a Hot or Cold tea drink, priced at $12 and $14 respectively.
On the retail end, 1872 Clipper Tea launches its Signature Destinations range, which features the most luxurious teas that are hand-selected across 10 key destinations around the world. All selections are single-origin tea leaves that are indigenous to each of their beautiful gardens. The teas are weighed and dosed in store, allowing customers the flexibility to select the quantity they require. Some notable flavours include Yunnan Silver Tips, Milk Oolong, Gyokuro, Finest Darjeeling and Nuwara Eliya. Information on the region and estate where the tea leaves are sourced from can be found on each individual packaging.
“The name, 1872 Clipper Tea Co., pays homage to the historic Clipper ships that raced to carry the freshest teas to all corners of the world. We want to bring the best tea leaves from these beautiful gardens to our customers, which we hope can transport them on this imaginary voyage with us,” explains Rehan.
Besides this luxurious collection, 1872 Clipper Tea continues to provide a myriad of teas from its different ranges: Essentials, Herbals and Blossoms, Tropics, Travel and Heritage. A selection of tea ware and accessories are aslso available for purchase.
