Learn the tricks of the tea trade with The Palace Downtown Dubai’s tea sommelier

How did you become a tea sommelier?

In India, tea is an integral part of our social lives and I have fond memories of sharing a pot of tea with my family. Noticing the growing popularity of tea, I decided to pursue this skill further to learn about the various kinds of tea and techniques to brew them to bring out the best flavour.

What’s your favourite tea and why?

Red Of Arabia, a sumptuous blend of Far East, African and Arabian flavours. This Red tea, with malty nuts and warm spices, reunites rare and precious flavours to create an unforgettable cup of great sweetness.

Which country makes the best tea?

Teas produced in India, Sri Lanka and China are the best as they have the ideal climatic and environmental conditions for the cultivation of tea.

2017 is the year of what kind of tea?

I think people are now looking to incorporate tea into their daily lives as a ‘wellness’ aid. 2017 is the year of herbal-infused teas that are high in antioxidants and have a number of health benefits.

What’s the best food accompaniment for a cup of tea?

I think tea and desserts are a wonderful pair and complement each other very well.

Fruit tea or black tea? Why?

Fruit tea. There’s a variety of flavours and it can be blended in several ways.

What’s one thing people don’t realise about tea?

Allowing it to steepis very important. The more you leave it open the better it is as it heightens its characteristics. Allow the tea to sharpen its flavour.