Bahrain
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Print
Email
Discuss this article (0 Comments)Time for tea
by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Thursday, 03 January 2008
zoom
His firm has been in Dubai for almost a year, and its aim is to deliver "the best tea bar none".
"We're constantly working to develop exciting new flavours, and even to rediscover the old classic teas from around about 200 years ago. We only purchase teas from the first flush and the second flush, so we're buying at the prime time. Since Newby Teas started in 1988 it has only offered premium tea to its customers," he says.
The people catering to the mass market are more concerned about saving money than maintaining the loyalty of their customers. - Darren Watson, Newby Teas
Newby says it is not aiming at the mass market, but the hotels and restaurants looking for the best quality tea - those prepared to pay that little bit extra for it.
"The market is massive and we're making inroads with hotels, restaurants and airlines. We're identifying the right partners from inside the GCC and we'll run from there," he says.
Newby Teas currently works with the Dubai Trade Club, one of the most exclusive clubs in the emirate with only 400 members, where a Newby tea room has been set up. It's also in partnership with luxury flight service Royal Jet Airlines in Abu Dhabi, as well as being involved with the Sharjah government, the British Embassy and a string of top-end hotels.
Tea, tradition and exploration
Watson believes that the potential for tea in the GCC is vast, with it already being twice as popular as coffee. And it's the Arab population that's leading the way.
"From the Arab side they really do know what they want. They know the type of teas that they are used to because of their culture and tradition. Also looking at the Middle East, people are prepared to try something new," he says.
And Newby Teas believes in giving the customers the chance to learn about tea for themselves by sampling different types.
"Sampling is very important to us. Most people think tea is tea, but once we can get it into their hands and they taste it there's no going back.
Tea etiquette
Tea selection:
Strong tea: Traditional English tea made from small black leaves, which brew quickly making a dark, rich tea. It is usually served with milk.
Light tea: The best known is Earl Grey, made with larger leaves for a more delicate taste and scented with bergamot to give a citrus flavour.
Milk is optional.
Green tea: A much lighter and paler tea, known for its health giving properties. It is drunk without milk.
Flavoured tea: Traditional black tea flavoured with fruit or flowers. Can be drunk with or without milk, but avoid it with citrus flavours.
Speciality tea: Including Oolongs, Ceylons, Oriental white tea and Darjeeling, these teas all enjoyed in their own unique ways.
Tea selection:
Strong tea: Traditional English tea made from small black leaves, which brew quickly making a dark, rich tea. It is usually served with milk.
Light tea: The best known is Earl Grey, made with larger leaves for a more delicate taste and scented with bergamot to give a citrus flavour.
Milk is optional.
Green tea: A much lighter and paler tea, known for its health giving properties. It is drunk without milk.
Flavoured tea: Traditional black tea flavoured with fruit or flowers. Can be drunk with or without milk, but avoid it with citrus flavours.
Speciality tea: Including Oolongs, Ceylons, Oriental white tea and Darjeeling, these teas all enjoyed in their own unique ways.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM
TOP IN MIDDLE EAST TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
TOP MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS STORIES
ALSO IN MIDDLE EAST TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
From 
SHARE PRICE CHECK
RELATED STORIES
Newby Teas
| 7 stories- Newby Teas debuts in UAE
20 Feb '08 | News - Dubai welcomes new tea in town
6 Dec '07 | News
Mobile
