Fancy a tinge of saffron in your tea?

CHENNAI : Eight years ago, when two friends-cum-entrepreneurs M Kumaaravelan and Prasanna Venkatesh didn’t know where to go to drink a good cup of hot filter coffee, they started Madras Coffee House — a brand that sells authentic quality filter coffee in modern kiosks. Since then, the filter coffee on-the-go concept has caught up in the city, making them one of the most popular names among caffeinators and coffee connoisseurs. 

Now, the brand not only boasts 75 outlets but has also introduced a one-of-a-kind tea — Saffron tea, for the first time in India. As we head to their flagship store in Bazullah road, to get a taste of their newest beverage, we are welcomed by Kumaaravelan and Prasanna. Enthused about the recent launch of the saffron tea, Kumaaravelan says, “About two years ago, we had 25 outlets. Now, we have expanded to 72 including one in Dubai. In fact, our visit to Dubai sparked this idea of making saffron tea.”

Prasanna concurs, “When we visited our shop in Dubai, we got a chance to visit other places as well. We noticed several shops making saffron tea, which is not very common here. We decided to introduce it to our customers as well. But, in Dubai they make it with condensed milk while we do it with fresh milk.” 

Three months of ideation, research, and about 1,000 samples of tea later, the duo zeroed in on the perfect concoction of milk, tea and saffron. “It was a gruelling yet fun process. We made tea with different proportions of saffron and other components. But it was all worth it. We have received good feedback so far,” beams Prasanna. 

The saffron essence is made exclusively for Madras Coffee House in Kashmir and sent on requirement basis. “It’s authentic saffron. We wouldn’t settle for anything but the best for our customers,” he asserts, as he directs S Anandhi and Muthulakshmi to prepare a davara tumbler of saffron tea. We enter the kiosk to see how the tea is prepared and everything from the process to the aroma is pure bliss. Muthulakshmi explains the process: “Measurement is everything. Sixty ml of tea decoction, half spoon sugar, 50 ml milk and three drops of saffron essence is what it takes to make this tea,” she says, and hands us the shiny tumbler. As we take our first sip, the natural, refreshing taste of tea and the warmth of the saffron essence blends perfectly and is comforting.

And before we know it, we have already gulped it all down! “Everyone loves our outlet for the coffee. Now, tea will get its due recognition too!” says Kumaaravelan. With their outlets doing phenomenally well even outside Chennai in cities like Hyderabad, Delhi and Dubai, we ask, what next? Pat comes the reply! “We are planning kiosks at three metro stations — St Mount, Meenambakkam and Little mount (Saidapet). We are also planning to introduce packed rice varieties for people who want lunch on-the-go. That will be launched soon,” shares Prasanna.(The Saffron tea is priced at `35 and is available at all Madras Coffee House outlets)