Kolkata: Did you know that the only beverage touching the hearts and minds of people from the lowest income strata of the society to the absolute elites would cost thousands at this roadside tea stall in West Bengal!
Indeed, the chaiwala with a difference, Parthapratim Ganguly’s one cup of tea sells at Rs 1,000.
Ganguly had a lucrative job when his love for tea made him quit it and turn his energies into setting up a tea-stall which is no less than a tea-bar.
Talking about his high-cost tea Ganguly was quoted as saying by News18, “I sell the Japanese White Leaf tea for Rs 1,000 a cup. Tea connoisseurs understand that it’s not a very high price to pay for such premium tea.” Given his popularity, some patrons even call him in advance to ensure his shop is open.
“My stall has about 115 different types of tea from all over the world. These include the expensive lot – Japan’s special Silver Needle White tea selling at Rs 2.8 lakh per kg, as well as Bo-Lay tea which is sold anywhere between Rs 50,000 to 32 lakh per kg,” he added.
According to the report, other slightly more affordable varieties include Chamomile tea (Rs 14,000 per kg), Hibiscus tea (Rs 7,500 per kg) Roobios tea (Rs 20,000 per kg), Okayti Tea (Rs 32,000 per kg), Lavender tea (Rs 16,000 per kg), Bai Mudan tea (Rs 20,000 per kg). Others such as Yerba tea and Mudan tea start from Rs 14 per kg and can go up to over Rs 20,000 a kg.
“We also sell other variants like chocolate tea, white tea, Maize tea, Blue tea, and a variety of other teas,” Ganguly said reportedly.
“100 out of 1000 people who pass my shop are bound to stop here and grab a cup. Those who come for the first time will come back only to taste the tea,” said the tea-seller.
Ganguly also sells raw tea to attract tea lovers to purchase bags of their favourite tea from around the world, all in the comfort of his homely shop.