Kolkata|

First love has an allure not far removed from first flush. First flush what now? It’s the very first plucking of a tea harvest season and comes laden with flavor and aroma not replicated in subsequent batches. Experience of first flush is an occasion of its own – absence of which in city prompted Subhasish Mitra and Tapasi Banerjee to venture into this eponymous meet-spot.

A delicious turn in an alley off Golpark crossing will bring you to this brick red and white 60s’-style French café recently inaugurated by Devajit Bandyopadhyay, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, Ridhhi Bandyopadhyay, Sidhu & Rohaan that does a bit more than just serve tea and coffee.

But tea and coffee sure takes precedence. “During our Uni days we’d find ourselves spending tons of time at the opposite tea-stall. It was there where I first wished of having a cozy tea-spot of mine. Even after the Uni days got over and we’re into our jobs we couldn’t desert this stall – the feeling grew stronger”, explained Subhasish. The naming was but fixed two years ago in one of our regular visits to Darjeeling we’d undertake just to taste tea.”

Apparently Subhasish- Tapasi duo are in first name basis at Glenary’s, Golden Tips , Nathmulls and such where they would collectively sample 18 to 20 cups of tea per day whose prices ranged from 20K INR/Kg (Okayti) 6-7K INR /Kg (Gidda Pahar, Gopal Dhara, Avon Grove), 2-2.5K INR /Kg (Castleton).

Most of these varieties along with Thurbo Moonlight, Smoked Tea are stocked here as is coffee – two varieties of which – Ethiopian and Colombian – I relished in its basic ‘Black’ format. Coffee menu also includes cold and Irish avatars. Then there’s munch options to go with the appointed beverages and while at it one can read a book from library, contemplate a sketching on wall and admire female vestments in a rack – all of which are available to be bought.

All said and done what’s that a good brew maketh? “Tea should be such you can see bottom of the cup”, signeth M.Subhasish.