Golden Tips Tea

The latest addition to an ever growing chain of prestigious Tea Boutiques from Golden Tips Tea is now fully operational at the City Centre Mall located at New Town, Rajarhat, set amidst a fast developing satellite township within the city of Kolkata, India. This Tea Boutique, like all the others under the Golden Tips stable, is uniquely and aesthetically decorated and is stocked with a huge range of fine estate teas from all the tea producing regions of India, along with over 150 varieties of teas in innovative handcrafted Gift packaging under the GOLDEN TIPS brand, the widest and most exotic range available anywhere. Apart from this, various paraphernalia on tea such as Books, Tea pots & sets, Kettles, Tea boxes, Tea Spoons, variety of Strainers & Infusers, Tea cosies, paintings on tea etc, and other tea regalia, are on display and also available for sale at this boutique.

This Golden Tips Tea Boutique was
officially inaugurated on the 18th of September, 2010 by Professor Sougata Roy, Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Government of India, and was graced by the presence of the many dignitaries, amongst whom was the Chairman Tea Board, as also attended by a large number of invitees and special guests from the business community.

Following the inauguration of the Tea Boutique an Audio Visual presentation was also organized showcasing the journey of Golden Tips from a modest beginning as a Tea Trader of Darjeeling in the year 1933, to a present day multi-faceted company with pan Indian and global presence.

This memorable occasion was also marked by the official release of an audio disc titled “ Mesmerising Melodies”, a collection of lilting and immensely popular old melodies from Hindi films of yesteryears, whistled by Madhav Sarda, the CEO of Golden Tips, a passion which he has perfected over the years. Accompanied by background music the tracks in this disc transport you to the bygone golden era of Hindi films and make one truly nostalgic with the pleasant whiff of the beautiful past.



Coverage in Hindustan Times

Ht Live

Sip & buy address in town.

HT Correspondent
letters@hindustantimes.com

Bengalis traditionally prefer leaf tea and so such promotion of speciality tea is great. Kolkata is a good place for such a boutique – SHIVAJI SEN Vice president, JV Gokal.

The tea industry is on the rise once again as most of the tea gardens have reopened. Darjeeling produces the best quality tea - BASUDEB BANERJEE Chairman, Tea Board.

KOLKATA: If you are one of those who knows the first flush from the second flush, then Golden Tips is where you should be. The brand new tea boutique at City Centre II at Rajarhat, New Town, not only sells tea, but also allows customers to sample before making a purchase.

Kolkata has traditionally been a tea drinking city, but with a spurt in coffee shops and bars, caffeine has gradually gained popularity. There are some addresses that cater the tea-loving people – Chaa Bar at Oxford Bookstore or Flury’s across the road and Dolly’s in south Kolkata – but they are few and far between compared to coffee shops.

Political conflict and trade union trouble have also deterred smooth functioning of tea gardens in North Bengal with many remaining closed for months. Another common complain is that the best quality leaves are exported.

Golden Tips may be have solutions to all these problems. The company’s first tea boutique in the city will showcase more than 250 varieties of tea. Tea can be brought in packets or even in small quantities since the boutique will also sell loose tea.

Krishna Purkayastha, a tea connoisseur, was ecstatic at the news of another tea boutique. The 61 year-old Ballygunge resident, who buys her tea from Gariahat market, said “Though it is a little out of the way, I will be going to the City Centre II soon to buy my favourite fix.”

The store will also sell various tea accessories and books on tea.

Shivaji Sen, a tea taster for the past 34 years and now the vice president of JV Gokal, a tea company with tea operations in Kolkata, said, “Bengalis traditionally like leaf tea and so this kind of promotion of speciality tea (leaf tea) is great. Kolkata is a good place for such a boutique. In addition, there is good scope for flavoured tea with the young generation mostly opting for green, herbal and flavoured tea. Another outlet I know which sells speciality tea is Dolly’s.

Gopaldhara, Oaks, Long View Highlands, Balasun, Teesta Valley, Sungma, Margaret’s Hope, Namring Upper are some of the tea gardens, whose produce will be available at the tea boutique. “The price would range from ` 400 per kg to ` 16,000 per kg” said Sumant Mimani, an executive of Golden Tips.



Golden Tips Tea has also branched into operating niche ‘Tea Bars’ at the underground Stations of Park Street and Kalighat of the Kolkata Metro Railway system. These are precursors to many more of such ventures Golden Tips Tea intends to expand with in the future. The Tea bars have already earned the appreciation of the madding commuters for a brief stopover to taste a 'cuppa' of the stimulating and varied teas served hot and chilled as instant infusions. Designer packets of selected teas as take homes or as gifts are also available for purchase at these Tea Bars.

Kalighat Metro Kiosk

The Kalighat Kiosk was operational from the April, 2009, and is located at the mezzanine level. This Kiosk has the advantage of location, and as this station is one of the most congested in terms of passenger traffic, it ensures a wide exposure for Golden tips and its brands on display.