Kolkata: You can soon make your favourite Flurys
tea and sip it leisurely at home. The country's oldest surviving
tea room on Park Street is set to launch three varieties of tea by the end of next month.
Speaking to TOI,
Flurys associate director Samit Ghosh said specially crafted Darjeeling, Green and Assam teas will be sold in 100gm caddies or tin boxes at Flurys outlets in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai and Delhi, as well as specialized tea stores in the country.
"Having a pot of fragrant tea accompanied with Flurys' delectable cakes and pastries is a tradition that endures to this day. A selection of teas will now be available to take home so that you can recreate that magic," said Ghosh.
The tea room had been founded by the Swiss couple, Mr & Mrs J Flurys, in 1927 and later bought over by the late Jit Paul of Apeejay Group. It has a dedicated clientèle comprising connoisseurs of food and beverage. Nearly all of them enjoy the blend of tea served at the flagship store on Park Street. Many among them have been keen that the store introduces packaged teas so that they can have it at home or gift it to someone while travelling to another city.
"We have been toying with the idea for a while. We began addressing the market seriously a year ago and are now ready to launch the much-awaited teas," Ghosh said.
The teas have been developed by sister company Apeejay Tea. While the Assam tea will be from the company-owned garden at Budlabeta, second flush Darjeeling tea will be sourced from Namring Upper Tea Estate. The Green tea will be sourced from Darjeeling as well.
"While the Assam tea will be rich, full-bodied and smooth with a malty character, Darjeeling tea - the champagne of teas - will be naturally fragrant and flowery. Green tea, which is the new kid off the block with its health USP, will be all about freshness and subtle flavour," said Flurys executive chef Vikas Kumar.
Flurys is also developing a tea set complete with tea, milk, sugar pots, strainer, cups and saucers that will have the logo embossed on them.
Incidentally, Flurys had packaged Assam tea around 50 years ago. An old advertisement has group chairman Surrendra Paul promising selectively picked high quality pure Assam tea directly to consumers from its gardens.
In the 60s, 70s and 80s, the company had diversified into, among other products, ice-creams, and then exited to focus on confectionery, its core business. In recent years, Flurys has again acquired the diversification streak. It now sells packaged chocolates, cookies and plum cakes.
These teas will join the racks shortly.Likely price of Flurys teas (100 gms)
Darjeeling: Rs 380
Green: Rs 280
Assam: Rs 180