Old tea spots keep twin cities brewing

Tea enthusiasts across the twin cities continue to seek the old-timey feel of sipping on a soothing cup of warm chai while exchanging 'tea' (gossip) with friends at tea houses and dhabey (kiosks) in the oldest areas of the capital.

Commercial areas like Lal Kurti bazaar, Ratta Amral, Dhok Ratta, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan, Bagh Sardar, Dhamial Camp, Westridge Bazaar, Raja Bazaar and Syed Puri Gate still sport tea spots where people gather to take breaks amidst daily routine.

The clinking of teacups and laughter during conversations resounds in the bustling and narrow streets of these areas, creating a unique and unparalleled atmosphere.

Even as social media threatens to replace physical space and connection, tea houses still persist as gathering spots where people make a pit stop to refresh themselves while exchanging news and stories.

When seated at tea houses, people finally put their smartphones aside and offer their full attention to the person speaking.

Each day, the tea sellers prepare traditional milk tea blends from early morning till late in the night to families and friends who sit around tables and chat about politics, culture, sports, business and everyday life. For many, tea is not just a drink, but a cultural tradition, a social bond and a link to memories that are older than smartphones, televisions and other modern forms of communication tools.

Although inflation has caused the price of a cup of tea to go from Rs1 to Rs100, the ritual of drinking tea multiple times a day as part routine still remains a popular tradition. Due to inflation, some hotels have also started offering tea kits, which are more like tea shots which amount to a sip's worth of tea.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the owner of a tea hotel, Rashid, said he has been running his small tea hotel for the past sixty years. "I learned the business from my father. I always use pure milk and Kenyan leaves to make fine quality tea," he said, adding that for many, tea is just an excuse to meet and talk.

Tea enthusiast Shoaib Anwar Mughal said Pappu Hotel in Ratta Amral used to be a very good spot for tea and that it was a popular meeting point for friends to hang out in the evening. He added that the hotel had eventually shut down and taken many memories with it.

Zaheerul Haq voiced the opinion that over time the quality of tea has deteriorated. "Since ingredients like pure milk is no longer available, a good cup of tea is hard to fine. I would suggest that institutions should get samples from tea hotels for quality control," he added.