20th July 2016, saw the launch of one of a kind tea lounge by Dilmah in the heart of Khan Market. Located right opposite the Khan Market temple, on the first floor, this tea lounge is quiet a visual retreat. Absolutely loved the quirky interiors of this quaint lounge.
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
Dilmah tea
Born in May 1930 in the tiny a village north of Negombo, Sri Lanka, to a family of modest means, Merrill J. Fernando migrated to Colombo, capital city of Sri Lanka. He was fortunate in being selected as one of the first Sri Lankans to learn tea tasting in London- the centre of the global tea trade was in Mincing Lane, in East London. Ceylon Tea was acknowledged the finest, yet her teas were mostly transferred to London for auction, a practice that persisted to an extent until the 1980s. The young tea taster saw the inequity in the industry, with tea – a finished product – being sold as raw material and therefore disproportionately benefiting traders in developed countries.
Whilst in his early twenties, the young but ambitious Merrill sought change. The odds were stacked against him as even his industry peers opposed any effort at changing the status quo for fear of losing their bulk tea export business. Eventually in the 1980s, Merrill harnessed the resources to buy his first teabag making machine, eventually another and in 1988 he launched his Dilmah branded Tea. It was the first time that tea grown, handpicked, packed at source and branded under a local, Sri Lankan brand was offered to tea drinkers overseas. Merrill overcame enormous difficulties including the lack of quality packaging in Sri Lanka. His packaging was imported from Japan and Europe, in an arduous logistical exercise.
Blessed with the appreciation of his first customers in Australia, Merrill overcame the best efforts of his competitors to push the fledgling brand off supermarket shelves.
ABOUT THE BRAND DILMAH
Dilhan C. Fernando is the younger son of Dilmah Founder, Merrill J. Fernando. The names of Dilhan and his brother Malik form the ‘Dilmah’ brand, the first producer owned tea brand. Dilmah Tea is offered in over 100 countries around the world and maintains its founding commitment to quality and integrity.
The brand was established on the unique philosophy of making business a matter of human service, a pledge that is fulfilled through Merrill J. Fernando’s MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation. A minimum 10% of pre-tax profits from the sale of Dilmah Tea is diverted towards direct humanitarian and environmental interventions. Emphasizing the dignity of beneficiaries and sustainability of humanitarian and environmental projects, the impact of both entities has been felt by thousands across Sri Lanka.
In recognition of the commitment to his exemplary philosophy of making Business a matter of Human Service, Merrill J. Fernando was awarded with the prestigious Business for Peace Award in Oslo in 2015 by the Noble Peace Laureates Committee.
ABOUT THE T-LOUNGE BY DILMAH
Dilmah Founder Mr. Merrill J. Fernando, Franchise Owner Dilmah t Lounge Mrs. Ashumi Jain & Dilmah Director Mr.Dilhan.C.Fernando
The t-Lounge by Dilmah has 4 key propositions for the guest. First fine tea, served hot, chilled, sparkling or in cocktails (where licence permits), mocktails or shooters. These teas are offered with casual, comfort food on the lines of salads, crepes, waffles, toasted sandwiches, cakes and pastries. Some of which have tea as an ingredient while many of which are paired with specific teas. Secondly these are presented for enjoyment on premise whilst selected items including signature crepes of waffles and teas are offered for takeaway. The third element is specialty tea retail -designer gourmet tea in particular and Dilmah Gift of Tea additionally being offered for purchase at the venue. Ongoing tea sampling with at least 2 teas sampled on a continuous basis for consideration of purchase, supporting the retail dimension.
MY REVIEW ON THE LOUNGE
Time for some tea
I quiet enjoyed the concept of a lounge which is wholly solely dedicated to teas. Dilhan explained how good teas are for your health but they are not brewed right, hence the goodness of the tea can’t be enjoyed. Here at the t-lounge, they have tea-timers which keeps the goodness of the tea intact. I tried quiet alot of variety of tea & food items but I am only going to mention the ones I absolutely loved:-
MOROCCAN MINT ICED TEA- The gentle green tea with the sharp taste of Pure Peppermint Leaves, this drink was such a happy delight. I absolutely loved the combination of two with the aftertaste of peppermint leaves.
LADY J- I am not found of mocktails in general because majorly sugar syrups are used but Lady J surprised me in all the right ways. Freshly squeezed orange juice with the Early grey tea, right amount of citric flavor with the goodness of the Earl grey, a match made in heaven.
PANEER TIKKA SANDWICH- I quiet enjoyed the chunks of paneer marinated with Indian spices though I was not very happy with the bread in itself. If it could be brown instead of white and a little more time on the grill, I would have enjoyed it a little more. But absolutely loved the marinated paneer, full of flavor and tasted heaven.
TEA CAKES- Not a big sweet tooth but absolutely loved the presentation of the cakes, so could not resist myself. All the cakes were prepared quiet well- you could taste the zest in the lemon tea cake while the marble cake just melted away.
The cake which stole my heart was the EGGLESS VANILLA. Oh my! Oh my! Oh myyyy! I generally don’t eat the whole cake but this cake was soo delicious that it compelled me to keep on eating it. There is a really gooey sugary layer in between the cake, I just could not stop myself from digging in it like a greedy kid. This one is an absolute must try and I personally recommend!
