Tea Time: TWG Tea, Greenbelt 5

Tea time was a time honored tradition shared by women for the sole purpose of bonding. No matter how busy the women were, they always managed to slow down long enough to share a warm cup of tea and talk about love and life.

For my daughter Aryanna and I, tea time is a way for us to reconnect, slow down and have fun. It’s also a great way to teach children (and sometimes adults too) on proper table manners and etiquette.

For years, Aryanna and I have been having our mom and daughter “Tea Time”. Check out some of our previous escapades: To read, click here and here.

Our first ever High Tea was at Makati Shangri-la. Aryanna was only 13 years old then.

This was during one of our few bonding sessions at Marriott Manila Hotel

Chic and chikahan at Daude

Aryanna and I are very happy that TWG Tea, the world’s finest luxury tea brand, is finally in Manila! Our mom and daughter tea time just got better!

I was invited to have tea a few days ago with the TWG Tea principals. I met TWG Tea’s PR Manager Louise Benzrihem and I learned about company’s history and got some useful tea tips too.

(Photo taken using Instagram)

(Photo taken using Instagram)

What is TWG Tea? TWG Tea, the finest luxury tea brand in the world, was established in Singapore in celebration of the island’s great history as a trading post for fine teas. TWG Tea, which stands for The Wellness Group, is an institution incorporating an international distribution network to professionals, unique and original retail boutiques and exquisite tea rooms.

Since launching in 2007, Singapore-based TWG Tea has established itself internationally as a celebrated tea company with the largest collection of teas in the world, sourced directly and exclusively from the world’s most renowned tea plantations.

Welcome to TWG Tea, Greenbelt 5!

A nostalgic celebration of the voyage of the tea clippers, this timelessly chic wood-panelled TWG Tea Boutique, spiced with brass weighing scales and hard wood tea counters is sure to carry customers away on a journey of sensations.

The intimate Tea Salon, with its signature rattan-backed black velvet chairs and crisp white table linens, recall Singapore’s early days as a trading port.

Plato-platuhan:

Tea Time is suppose to be our mom and daughter bonding time but my husband insisted that having him around would make our bonding time more fun. In other words, merong nainggit! Haha!

Anyway, he’s right. The three of us always have fun when we’re out. Wait till my dahling Dylan grows up, the four of us will be a riot! Goodbye “slow down” sesh!

My family and I decided to do tea pairings with our meals. The staff of TWG Tea are knowledgeable about their products and they also helped us in choosing our own teas.

Foodam:

Tom and Aryanna both ordered the Brunch Set while I had ala carte:

Each of us got our own teapot.
TWG’s special pots keep the tea warm. TWG Tea’s signature teapot is made from porcelain and has a gold plated tea warmer. I wanted this teapot but it cost P22K! NKKLK

TWG Tea’s Rules for Preparing Tea

Tea is the reflection of every culture and civilization; its essence must always be respected, yet it must be adapted to local tastes. Everything must be taken into account to get the best out of tea: climate, water, atmosphere, and the sensitivity of a given nation to flavors and accompanying dishes. The required amount of tea, water temperature and steeping time varies with each tea and our in-house tea advisors or packaging provides clear brewing instructions. It is important, in a tea salon, to monitor these aspects tea by tea and, in this manner, customers are certain to enjoy the finest tasting experience.

1. Pre-heat the teapot after inserting the tea filter by rinsing it with boiling water.
2. Place the required amount of tea in the warm filter and let it stand for a few moments, allowing the steam to begin developing the leaves’ aroma.
3. Pour water of optimum temperature on the tea so that all the leaves are covered to achieve the best results.
4. Let the tea steep for the recommended number of minutes.
5. It is then essential to remove the filter containing the leaves, so that the delicate flavor remains consistent from the first cup to the last. The tea must then be stirred and finally, poured into fine bone china teacups.
Teas from great estates should not be drunk too hot; let them stand a few moments after steeping, so that the palate can better appreciate their subtle fragrance.

Let’s brunch!

All of the food served in TWG Tea are tea-infused

Tom’s choice: Aviator Brunch Set

Aryanna’s brunch set: Ambassador

My indulgence:

All three of us shared the Eggs Benedict

No sharing allowed. All mine. Haha!

Dessert time

Sorry, but I was too full to remember the names of these cakes!

“Tea” Eppersons

(Photo taken using Instagram)

TWG Tea has developed a Tea Salon & Boutique concept — the half part of the area is the tea lounge and the other half is where you can buy all the TWG Tea merchandise.

Time to shop at the TWG Tea Boutique!

TWG Tea tidbit:

Tea offerings include unique harvests from the most prestigious gardens and renowned tea blends, prepared behind the bar according to TWG Tea’s exact specifications and meticulously served in signature TWG Tea Design Teapots & French Teapots, or iced in tall crystal stemware.

Wake up and smell the tea

Shoppingero and shoppingera

Committed to offering teas directly from source gardens, TWG Tea’s collection is the largest in the world, with fine harvests from every tea producing country and exclusive hand crafted tea blends. TWG Tea also offers exquisite signature modern tea accessories and delicate tea-infused sweets and savouries.

The golden brew

The merchandise:

Brightly colored, whimsical packaged teas are aplenty, such as the Haute Couture Tea collection which features unique tea blends handcrafted by TWG Tea innovators according to the flavours of the season and packaged in designer hues that reflect the latest catwalk trends. Collection includes signature 1837 Black Tea and world favourite Silver Moon Tea, a blend of green teas accented with a grand berry and vanilla bouquet.

For Obama

Gift ideas for those “who have everything”

Must try: Tea Jelly and macarons

Elegant tea tins, a myriad of hand-blown glass, porcelain, stoneware and cast iron teapots, fine bone china teacups, saucers, creamers and sugar bowls, as well as tea filters and tea scoops of all varieties can be found in the TWG Tea accessory collection.

Add to cart: TWG Tea’s scented candle collection

Special thanks to Ms. Lucille Tolentino, TWG Tea’s Head of Marketing for accommodating the Eppersons! We’re looking forward to the opening of TWG Tea in Resorts World! I heard it’s going to be a huge tea salon!

Must-try:

TWG Tea wall and rows of signature yellow artisan tea tins filled with more than 450 of the most celebrated fine harvest teas and exclusive tea blends in the world, all of which may be purchased by weight from 50 grams in sachets or perfectly accessorized in one of TWG Tea’s 45 bespoke tea tins.

On my wish list:

Uh-oh…

Shopping at TWG Tea is inevitable. I mean, the packaging and the quality of their products are topnotch. All I can say is, you’ve been warned. LOL

The “damage” has been done:

As you can see, wala akong patawad! Haha!

Aryanna is still in the process of redecorating her room. So far, here’s how my daughter set-up the stuff I bought for her room:

More on Aryanna’s room makeover soon! We’re still looking for a couple of furniture for her room. Tune in!

I hope everyone gets a chance to slow down and “smell the tea” this week. I know that the “ber” months could get crazy but a few bonding moments with your loved ones and some “me-time” will help you survive the daily grind.

Shoppingero/shoppingera, visit TWG Tea at the ground floor of Greenbelt 5 now!

TWG Tea Salon and Boutique
Level 1, Greenbelt 5
Legaspi Village, Makati
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Monday to Thursday); 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday to Saturday); 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Sunday)

TWG Teas are available in Singapore, Australia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Fiji, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turks & Caicos, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Vietnam. European online orders can be made at www.Harrods.com; online orders within the USA can be made at www.DeanDeluca.com; worldwide online orders can be made directly from TWG Tea at www.TWGTea.com.