Tea-sting times

Tea is usually synonymous with relaxation and refreshment, but when you have more than 200 teas to choose from, it can seem like a task.u00a0Brace yourself though, as tea boutique Golden Tips of Darjeeling -- the first tea boutique to set up shop in the state -- has launched in the city, and they have 250 teas to choose from.

"We have boutiques across India to popularise tea as a health and wellness beverage," says managing director and tea expert Madhav Sarda, who hopes that Puneites will seize the opportunity to taste and purchase a variety of teas.u00a0The idea is to engage tea lovers in choosing their favourite flavours from 250 brews. If you find yourself torn between leaves, the staff will be happy to prepare a cup -- or two -- to help you decide.u00a0

Apart from a wide variety of flavours, they also have special items on sale such as tea kettles, tea pots and sets, strainers, infusers, spoons, books and other paraphernalia. The variety of teas on display include Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Assam Nilgiri and specialty Jubilee tea which is a type of u00a0Darjeeling tea with beautiful colours and fragrance. Their Queen of Hills is a special tea with a unique flavour that comes packed in a velvet pouch.

White tea is the most expensive tea at the boutique because of its limited availability and its benefits which include boosting the digestive system and overall metabolism as well as providing protection from cancer.

Our second pick is Rose Herbal which combines green tea with Himalayan herbs.u00a0The Oolong tea is made from silver-tipped leaves and delicate downy tips while Earl Grey tea is scented with natural oil of bergamot.

The teas are packed at Kolkata, Delhi and Darjeeling.u00a0Prices start at Rs 50 for a pack of 10 tea bags; Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 for special teas and assortments; gourmet teas priced up to Rs 20,000 per kilo.