MillenniumPost
Bengal

New cha bar to serve only ‘first flush’ from Darjeeling

Skip the allure of the biryani for once and walk a few steps from Golpark in the heart of South Kolkata to discover a brand new cha bar that serves all kinds of exotic tea from the gardens of 
North Bengal – picked in their first flush. 

This quaint red and white café, like the ones in the French films of the 60s, banks on a variety of first flush tea leaves picked from the very best of Darjeeling tea estates during the period from March-June. 

“I pick and choose tea myself from the gardens of Darjeeling Himalayas. The first flush from the 
garden preserves the best flavour. I am also launching some offbeat varieties like smoky tea here – the leaves itself will give off the smoky flavour when soaked in boiling water”, says Shubhasis Mitra, Proprietor, First Flush.

The leaves come from the gardens of Giddapahar, Gopaldhara, Thurbo, Castleton, Avongrove and a cup is priced between Rs 70 to Rs 130. The café was inaugurated by artistes like Riddhi Bandopadhyay, music researcher Debojit Bandopadhyay and lead vocalist of the Bangla band, Cactus, Sidhu and Satinath Mukhopadhyay, elocutionist on Thursday evening.

You can order garden-specific tea here and what’s more, you can take home a packet of tea leaves of your choice. 

However, the focus on tea does not shift attention from the coffee which is a must in any cafe. From the deserts of Middle-east to the Latin American flavours, be it Arabian, Brazilian or Colombian beans, your hot cuppa is laced with   an attractive aroma. Coffee is in the range of Rs 70 to Rs 150.

First Flush also serves an assortment of snacks – all Continental delicacies – apart from the popular French fries. Pasta, burgers, grilled salmon, pork chops chicken stroganoff are served.

However, First Flush is not just a café, it is a melting pot of things other than tea or coffee. A small library is tucked in the corner with a range of books for tea-lovers and readers.

The cafe also houses a boutique at the entrance where handmade jewellery and block-printed scarves will be available. A small gallery for exhibiting paintings is also on the cards.
Next Story
Share it