First Dilmah t-Bar in the country now brewing in Cebu

Photos by Amper Campaña

RADISSON Blu Cebu has brought the tea-drinking culture of Sri Lanka to the Philippines with the opening of the country’s first Dilmah t-Bar. Located in the hotel’s lower lobby, it offers a fine collection of green, black and flavored teas as well as few rare variants and infusions — all of which can be served either hot or chilled, or as cocktails or even as t-shakes. It also serves tea-inspired gastronomy, with traditional high-tea snacks, cakes and desserts available from 3 to 5 p.m. daily.

Dilmah is a brand known for its single-origin teas — that is, teas that are harvested from the same region and usually at a particular season, resulting in a consistent and distinctive taste. Its teas are also packed at origin point in order to seal in the fragrance and flavor. Aside from Sri Lanka, the brand grows teas in China, Japan and South Africa. Dilmah also has a School of Tea in its home country where Radisson Blu’s general manager Nishan Silva and director of food and beverage Ramon Makilan were likewise trained prior to the local t-bar’s opening.

At present, the Dilmah t-Bar in Cebu carries 21 of the brand’s single-origin tea, with more to be added in the coming months. Its current lineup comprises of Moroccan Mint Green Tea, Ceylon Young Hyson Green Tea, Brilliant Breakfast, Rose with French Vanilla, Blueberry and Pomegranate, Lychee with Rose and Almond, Natural Ceylon Ginger Tea, Mango and Strawberry, Rooibos Pure Natural Organic, Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Sencha Green Extra Special, Single Estate Assam, Single Estate Darjeeling, Tie Guan Yin and Rosemary with Peppermint Leaves.

The Dilmah t-Bar was launched last Mar. 3 by no less than the founder and president of Dilmah, Merrill Fernando accompanied by his son, Dilhan, from who (alongside his brother Malik) the brand was actually named after. At the launch, they shared that far more than the fine-quality taste they provide, the brand also stands for the liberation of their country’s tea plantations from foreign exploitation. Aside from production, the 27-year-old brand now operates t-bars and t-lounges in other international locales including Poland, Belarus, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. (FSE)