MERCHANT NEWS

The Merchant adds spice

In his constant quest for the world’s finest teas, the Merchant has added an exotic flavour to his extensive menu. It’s a tongue-tingling refresher that fuses black tea leaves with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, garlic and nutmeg. True to its roots, he has named it Masala Chai; “masala” is the Indian word for “any spice combination” and “chai” means tea.

The special Masala Chai Latte is concocted by mixing loose leaf Masala Chai with a hint of cinnamon, cardamom and a pinch of raw sugar to enhance the flavour. Milk is added and a sprinkling of cinnamon powder completes the picture.

Masala Chai is as delicious as it is healthy. Unlike commonly used tea syrups, the Merchant prefers loose leaf tea which provides natural health benefits. It helps with digestion and results in a warm soothing effect and a sense of well being. 

An international sensation

If spice is not quite your cup of tea, the Merchant has introduced another new flavour to charm your senses. It’s an extraordinary tea from China that’s making headlines the world over – White Tea.

A unique picking and curing process gives this tea a fresh, mellow, silky taste taste. Only immature tea leaves are plucked when they are fresh, young and tender. At this stage the buds are still covered in a white fuzz - hence the name White Tea. The leaves are then not fermented or dried like other varieties, but steamed very gently. 

It’s not merely the taste that has made this tea such a star. Everyone from chefs to medical researchers is praising its medical benefits. It has less caffeine and more antioxidants than any other tea. A study at Pace University concluded that White Tea can help the body’s immune system and its fluoride content can help prevent the growth of plaque.