Sharing the joy and the appreciation of tea, homegrown brand Yuan Cha 源茶 derived from a famous proverb, 『掘井之人，飲水思源』is literally 'armed' with a purpose to deliver quality tea experiences as each cup is manually shaken by their trained staff. And sourced directly from a trusted plantation in Taiwan, you can certainly get the distinct and full taste of tea from the range - classic black/ red tea, green tea, Tie Guan Yin and Puer tea.

A healthier alternative to the mass bubble teas shops we have, the focus is on more tea than bubble as replacing the usual black tapioca peals is their QQ toppings (+80 cents) made from green tea, sweet potatoes and yam (my favourite). Chewy and imparts a tinge of natural sweetness.

For the serious tea lovers, their basic tea would be right up your alley. And for something sweet but not cloyingly so, have a go at their Honey Series which is customizable with their honey level - the Honey Osmanthus Tea ($4.50/$5.70) we had being pleasantly floral and light but note to adjust the sweetness to 50% for optimal enjoyment. To open up your appetite and to take-on the hot day, their Apple Vinegar Oolong ($3.80/$4.90) from the Fruit Vinegar Series was both tangy and refreshing. Not a fan of vinegar, I overcome the initial sharpness of the fruit vinegar and everything just balanced perfectly after the first sip. However, my pick would be pairing the Snow topping (+$1) with their basic teas as the luscious, creamy layer didn’t overwhelm the tea and instead enrich the fragrance.

What’s more expect a third outlet opening soon at Nex! Be sure to listen out for the rolling and rhythmic sound of their shaking~

Thank you Yuan Cha Singapore for the hospitality and Mr Goh for sharing with us; a huge thanks to Burpple for the kind invite!