Saturday, September 10 2005 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Beverage drinkers could now have a taste of the world's best teas with the kicking off of 'My Tea House' a unique tea-drinking outlet here today (Sept 10, 2005).

The Tea House would offer consumers an opportunity to taste the different ways in which the beverage is prepared world over including different parts of India, Anil Rawat, Chief Executive, My Tea House said.

Spread over 1500 square feet, the tea house would enable tea drinkers to experience how tea is prepared in various countries and participate in the tea serving ceremony of some of these countries, including Japan, he said.

The unique flavour of Tibetan tea with the combination of yak's milk, the high tea concept from UK with its assortment of sandwiches and cookies, the Kullad tea served out of the earthern pot from North and East of India can all be experienced at Tea House, he said.

For early morning joggers and those visiting temples, the House would offer special discounts for that early morning cup of tea after a vigorous workout or an hour of prayers.

The House would also target youth who can sip the brew along while they play computer games or exercise at the gym located on the premises, he said.

Those interested in savouring a slice of the culture, can enjoy events like the tea drinking ceremony of China or the exotic Arabian Tea ritual, which would be held at regular intervals, he said.

Prepared by specially trained personnel, the tea would be served along with assorted accompaniments, typical to that culture.

The popular teas from around the world like Green Tea, the Black, Red, Orange, White tea as well as the Oolong variety of tea would find its way on the tables of those ready to enjoy a hot cup of tea.

The beverage would be served in tea sets typical to that culture to ensure authenticity of the tea drinking experience, Rawat said.

"The concept behind the Tea House is to take the dhaba culture of tea to a higher level to enable tea drinkers enjoy the flavours of the rest of the world", says Rawat an avid tea drinker, who guzzles down around 20-25 cups of tea daily.

According Rawat, Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world. Only water is rated higher in world consumption than tea. An estimated 18 to 20 billion six oz cups of tea are drunk daily around the world.

India ranks second in tea consumption, next only to US which imports tea heavily, he said.

Grown in 30 countries, tea is consumed worldwide with a per capita world consumption of 0.12 liter per year.

There is not only energy brewing in the teacup but a lot of prospects of making good business, he admits.

"If the concept clicks in Bangalore, we hope to extend to other cities as well", he said.