It’s interesting how pervasive SMS-ing has gotten in our lives! Remember the days when it all started with just text-ing someone on where to meet till today where we have weather alerts through SMS or promotional updates from our favourite fashion boutique.

So we thought we’d offer SMS Vouchers for all friends of Essential Brew! But if you thought this is just going to be the regular: ‘Today’s special, try our Seared Jaz Prawns! Succulent King & Tiger Prawns grilled with Jasmine butter sauce… visit us now at…..’ Nope! It’s gonna be a lot more exciting and something we hope you’ll be delighted to receive!

Hence, as a welcome treat for all who want to be on our mailing list, we’re offering 1-for-1 drinks with any main course order! Join only if you’re seriously interested in getting a great offer and if so, check out how on our Dining Promotions page!

As we’re starting this as a trial to gauge response, we’ve only got a simple mobile number which we’ll send out the promotional vouchers from, so don’t be surprised. If anyone would like to offer us a golden number (which we found Singaporeans are so extremely fond of in cars number plates and auspicious dates), drop us an sms or email!

But in the meantime, just drop us a subscription message, tell your friends about it and come by our place to chill with your pals yeah!

SMS ‘SUBSCRIBE <Your Name>’ to 9185 4101

For more details, view our Dining Promotions page!

What if money could grow on trees? I bet many of you would have thought of this fantasy before whenever you dream of striking it rich! Well, in retrospect, money did use to grow on trees, albeit a small tree in the form of a tea bush.

Here’s a an interesting article I found regarding this subject: Tea Money of China. In the 19th Century, various forms of tea bricks(a form of black tea that are compressed into a solid block of tea) were used as a medium of exchange in Central Asian countries such as Tibet, Mongolia and Siberia etc. These tea bricks were highly valued for its medicinal properties and were also popular as it was less prone than cash to robbery from bandits found on the various trade routes. Property such as horses, sheep and swords were traded based on the number of tea bricks they can be exchanged for.

Alas, in modern days, this archaic form of using tea as currency have ceased to exist(otherwise you would have found me growing my own “money”). Nevertheless, it is interesting to know that besides the widely known equities and bonds, a special form of tea(Pu’er tea) has evolved to become an alternate form of investment in its own right(see The rewards of a ‘drinkable antique’). Similar to vintage wines, the value of Pu’er tea appreciates over time thus making it worthwhile as an investment vehicle for some people. According to the article, a new Pu’er tea can expect to double its value in just five years! Not a bad return I’ll say!

Maybe someday I would consider starting my own collection of “tea money”. Would you take the leap?

At a recent staff meeting, I was quite surprised that there are still people who thinks that the various types of chinese tea comes from different species of plants. Well yeah, Pu Er teas does taste so much different from say a Dragonwell tea, but the fact is, all true tea comes from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis plant. The word tea has nowadays been loosely used to include beverages made from other types of leaves or flowers of other plants(known as tisanes), but true tea only comes from the tea bush, the Camellia sinensis. This means your favourite camomile tea, rose tea etc are not really true teas but are actually called tisanes.

The different types of chinese tea tastes the way they are due to the different methods that the raw tea leaves are actually processed, main differences being the level of fermentation:

1) Green Teas

Green teas are teas that do not undergo the fermentation process. In this way, the leaves will retain its iginal green color and natural fragrance and flavour, producing a light coloured tea with a more “grassy” aftertaste. An example of a green tea would be Dragonwell.

2) Red Teas

Red teas are fully fermented tea leaves that gives a robust, strong flavoured and dark colored tea when it is brewed. Most western types of tea such as Darjeeling and Assam tea are red teas.

3) Oolong Teas

Oolong teas are partially fermented teas, giving it the characteristics of both green and red teas. It leaves a sweet and pleasant aftertaste. An example would be Tie Guan Yin (Iron Goddess of Mercy)

4) Black Teas

Black tea is a kind of tea that is left to ferment for many years in an “aging” process. This kind of post-fermentation process imparts to the tea brew a dark color and earthy flavor. One example would be Pu Erh Tea.

Now that you know the basic differences between the various teas, do make an effort to explore and enjoy the many types of chinese teas and I’m sure you’ll soon be able to find you personal favourites among them!