What to do in and around the Cape
THE original artisanal hot beverage, tea, is making a comeback in a big way. Countering the myriad coffee shops that have dominated the hot beverage takeaway landscape for the past two decades, tea shops serving tea and selling leaves are quickly springing up.
One that popped up a month ago in Church Street, between Adderley and St George’s Mall, in Cape Town’s CBD, is a tea lover’s dream.
Boasting 36 teas from around the world – both virgin and blended – the shop also has a steam-powered espresso machine-like device to make its tea; the only machine of its kind on the continent. Kapatée is an oasis nestled between the dreary ancient high-rises in that pocket of town.
Back to the machine. Controlled by an app on a tablet, the unit heats the water up to the perfect temperature, forcing the steam-heated water through the upper chamber of the glass cylinders.
You see, some teas need water of only 58°, while others only need water up to 99° - it’s not advisable to use boiling water (100°) as this could ruin the delicate flavours of the tea.
The Alpha Dominche machine is a revelation, and will change the way you look at and experience tea.
Co-owner Bruno Rabaca – an Angolan born to Portuguese parents – will take you through a tasting before you decide on your preferred tea. You can sample the flavours with your nose before deciding on which tea to purchase. And if you’re after tea-related paraphernalia, look no further.
Kapatée is the perfect spot to while away countless hours and enjoy the infinite pleasures tea can bring.