While the Yuan Cha franchise is still relatively unknown to many, its steady group of followers is increasing by the day. Having first started off in Bukit Panjang Plaza, Yuan Cha has expanded to open its second outlet at the basement of Far East Plaza, and will soon open new outlets at Jurong Point and NEX.
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Unlike other milk tea franchises, Yuan Cha is a refreshing addition to the industry as it solely specialises in tea and a range of healthier drinks. Inspired by the tea culture in Taiwan, local entrepreneur Mr Goh Chee Cheng started Yuan Cha a year ago, with the intention to spread the culture of tea enjoyment and the benefits of drinking tea.
He also hopes to bring people together through the simple act of enjoying a nice cup of tea. This spirit is embedded within their tagline, a Chinese proverb -『掘井之人，飲水思源』 – which is also the origin of their brand name.
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The premium tea leaves at Yuan Cha are specially procured from Taiwan. Other than the kinds that we are more familiar with, such as Green Tea, Black Tea, Tieguanyin, Pu’er and Oolong, Yuan Cha also introduces exclusive tea leaves such as Lishan, Chai Shao Oolong, Red Oolong and Ziya Shan.
Aside from selling freshly brewed beverages, Yuan Cha also offers other products for sale individually, such as tea leaves, tea sets, and even their very own tumbler! These would make great gifts for any occasion, especially the upcoming Mid Autumn Festival.
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If you are new to Yuan Cha, the Milk Tieguanyin ($3.50 M, $4.70 L) is the one to try. As compared to other types of teas such as Pu’er and Oolong, Tieguanyin is less intense, but its aroma and astringency remains discernible even after adding the creamer.
Yuan Cha stands out from its competitors precisely because of the outstanding flavours and unique concoctions it produces.
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For those with a sweet tooth, the Honey Alishan ($3.30 M, $4.50 L) is the one I would recommend. The sweetness of the honey complements the floral flavour of the Alishan tea, achieving a light, smooth and refreshing finish. This would be a perfect drink to cool you down during humid and hot afternoons, or to quench your thirst after a workout session.
Do note that you can’t choose the sweetness level for drinks with honey, so you might want to ask for less honey if you’re not a big fan of sweeter drinks.
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Other than the Basic Tea and Milk Tea series, adventurous tea enthusiasts can also explore the Fruit Vinegar, Fruit Tea, Osmanthus, and Honey series. Toppings wise, there is a wide range for selection: Herbal Jelly, Konjac Jelly, Snow (milk foam), Aiyu, Aloe Vera, QQ Yam, QQ Sweets, QQ Rainbow and Coconut Jelly.
The prices of the toppings range from $0.60 to $1.00. What’s interesting here is that there are no pearls available, which may be a bummer for those who must have pearls with their drinks. However, their QQ options are great substitutes for pearls – a healthier and less guilty version of chewy delights!
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Undeniably, sometimes you do need a bit of sweetness to elevate the fragrance of the tea. At Yuan Cha, the sugar used is fruit sugar (fructose), which is a healthier option as compared to syrups or other sweeteners. So don’t be too worried about adding just a little bit of sugar to your drink!
You can choose from 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% for the sweetness level. If you’re drinking a normal tea/milk tea, 25% should suffice. However, the Fruit Vinegar series of drinks would warrant a 25% at least – unless you love vinegar, that is. Speaking of which, the Plum Vinegar Oolong ($3.80 M, $4.90 L) is a superb choice after a heavy meal!
Source: @yuanchasingapore
If you are already a regular at Yuan Cha, you would already know about the Yuan Cha Rewards App. For those who are new to Yuan Cha, they have devised an app which allows you to collect stamps for each drink you purchase (1 stamp per drink), by simply scanning a QR code after purchase. You can redeem a free medium or large drink of your choice (toppings will be charged) after collecting 12 or 15 stamps successfully!
Source: @yuanchasingapore
