Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water and has been enjoyed for centuries the world over. This aromatic, flavourful brew has its roots in ancient China dating back 5,000 years and has since become synonymous with Chinese culture and tradition. In recent times, this drink has been given a modern twist with Millennials and Gen Zs developing a taste for bubble tea, fruit teas and other variations.  

This is where Ba Wang Cha Ji comes in as it looks to revive and reintroduce traditional Chinese tea culture to the world. Its team of passionate individuals has developed the perfect balance between traditional and modern, preserving the essence of this age-old treasure while appealing to today’s astute consumers.

A trip to Ba Wang Cha Ji is a sensory experience which engages not only taste and smell but also sight, sound, and the feel of drinking a cup of tea.  We had the pleasure of speaking with Sean Choong, Chief Executive Officer of Ba Wang Cha Ji Singapore, who shared with us the experience customers can expect when visiting Ba Wang Cha Ji.

Can you tell us the cultural and historical significance of tea?

According to legend, tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nong in 2,732 BC when a leaf from a nearby shrub fell into the water which he was boiling. Emperor Shen Nong initially categorised tea as medicinal as he felt rejuvenated and warm after drinking it. Although tea was discovered in China, it gained popularity when traders brought this fine commodity to England, India and Japan via the Silk Road. 

How does Ba Wang Cha Ji's tea get from plantation to the cups?

Ba Wang Cha Ji harvests its tea leaves from tea plantations in China. After harvesting, the tea leaves are carefully selected before they are processed to be sent to all our outlets. The processing itself is done in 12 traditional steps. 

By doing this, we are able to ensure the quality of tea leaves that are used so we can present a fragrant and delicious cup of premium tea to all our customers.

What is unique about the teas that Ba Wang Cha Ji serve?

We use the best tea leaves that are grown in the best regions of China. For example, our Tie Guan Yin is from FuJian AnXi and Da Hong Pao is from FuJian Wu Yi Mountain. Currently we are serving 6 different varieties of tea: 

1. Tie Guan Yin (铁观音）
2. White Peach Oolong (白桃乌龙)
3. Da Hong Pao (大红袍)
4. Jasmine Snowbud (茉莉雪芽)
5. Forever Spring Oolong (四季春)
6. Tangerine PuEr (橙柑普洱)

For the drinks in our pure tea series, we use ice cubes made out of the tea itself so that the flavour does not dilute over time. 

Is there a unique method that Ba Wang Cha Ji uses to brew the tea?

We use the cold-brew technique which allows us to control the amount of tannin that is released during the brewing process. As such, the tea we serve is less bitter and dry as compared to traditional brewing methods.

How does Ba Wang Cha Ji make tea drinking a sensory experience?

At Ba Wang Cha Ji, our aim is to invoke the five senses.

1. Sight:  All our shops are done up in traditional Chinese design but with a modern twist. We use light to focus the customers attention to the fine details of Chinese culture.
2. Smell: When you walk into a Ba Wang Cha Ji outlet, you are greeted with a pleasant aroma of tea which helps our customers feel relaxed.
3. Hearing: We play instrumental music at all our outlets, which helps to sooth tension. In China, we play Chinese instrumental music or even have live guzheng performances at certain outlets. 
4. Taste: All our milk teas have a different taste depending on the different tea bases we use in concocting them. You are able to taste the unique flavours and fragrance of the tea which are found only at Ba Wang Cha Ji.
5. Touch: All consumables at Ba Wang Cha Ji are of premium quality, made from recycled and recyclable material. As a company, we value social responsibility and therefore do what we can to limit the impact on the environment.  

The combination of these five senses then triggers a sixth sense – emotion. 

Tell us about your monthly tear cup event and how did the idea come about?

We hold a Tear Cup Event on the 10th of every month where we offer our customers the chance of winning a mystery gift. Customers who purchase any of the large-sized drinks under the Fresh Milk Tea Series will find a surprise at the bottom of the cup. Gifts range from small toys, keychains, branded lipsticks and premium tea sets. 

The idea is a throwback to the good old days when we could buy ‘tikam tikam’ and select a numbered ticket at a provision shop to win prizes such as toys or soft drinks. We used to love the thrill and surprise it offered when we were kids, so we decided to do something similar with the Tear Cup Event, as a fun way of giving back to our customers

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A visit to Ba Wang Cha Ji is a unique experience and highly recommended if you are looking to wind down after a busy day or have a chit chat with friends and family over a flavourful cup of tea – using only the best quality leaves from China. 

So head on down to Ba Wang Cha Ji’s Changi City Point outlet at #B1-04 and give your senses a treat while immersing yourself in one of China’s most ancient traditions. 

Two staff also taste tested some teas from Ba Wang Cha Ji. Watch the video below to find out what they thought of the drinks. 

All information is correct at the time of publishing. Please check with Customer Service or in-store for more details.