You will think that you are in a time capsule when you enter Pek Sin Choon tea shop. Chinese tea are still hand wrapped in small paper packets and sold in aluminium 'biscuit' tins. This Singapore tea shop, established in 1925, with their famous 'shepherd boy on buffalo' logo has been selling tea to tea drinkers and eating establishments for more than 90 years. Now managed by the 4th generation, Kenry Pek runs this tea business faithfully keeping to the traditional methods of blending and packaging the tea.
Pek Sin Choon has recently produced a commemorative tea box to showcase the company's history of producing Chinese tea. This metal tea box come with 5 of their famous hand wrapped teas and a specially made gaiwan with 2 cups. Notice the 'shepherd boy on buffalo' on the cover of the gaiwan. The box has an incision on the cover that allow the tea box to be used as a mini tea tray or small saving coin bank.
Information on the box detailed the history of their teas. The table tennis, aka ping pong tie guan yin wrapper was designed in 1959 to congratulate China winning the World Champion Men's Table Tennis for the 1st time. Kenry told me that his family was pretty patriotic at that time.
For the tea drinker and collector, make a point to visit Pek Sin Choon tea shop. Located in Chinatown - 36 Mosque Street. Own a piece of Singapore tea history by getting the metal gift box. I got mine signed by Kenry. Do remember to purchase a tin of tea and savour every drop of nostalgia when you brew up a cup of tea.
And....Happy Mother's Day to all Chinese Tea drinking mums.
1 comment:
I spent a Saturday afternoon here drinking tea and having snacks. A very eclectic group with great conversation, hosted by the store owner. Amongst my fondest memories of my time in Singapore.
Post a Comment