I am off to England with a bottle of Cinnamon essence, to experience the tranquil of the hills of Darjeeling. Do I seem like I have gone mad? Mad I was, with the experience I had. Never had one given me an explanation this lame, so confidently. I was laughing (at the explanation) and crying (on being the chosen one to receive it), at the same time.
There's a coffee shop near my place that I believe in patronizing. One, it is a good concept - coffee and coffee table books, together with good stuff to munch on, in a relaxed minimalist setup. Two, it was an entrepreneurial venture - who knows it could have been me behind the counter trying my hand with Espresso. Almost for the last 2 years since it was founded, and since I found it out, I have been a regular there - most of the baristas recognize me, or so I guess.
Today, for a change, I thought of trying some tea, something I usually prefer over coffee, unless I am in a coffee shop that is. It was a debate between the aroma of Darjeeling against the strength of Assam. After lengthy deliberation that only tea lovers are capable of, aroma won over strength and I opted for the D-Tea, specially brewed to get the flavour of Darjeeling.
To say I was taken aback to see that the 'special brew' was only a tea bag in hot water is an understatement. But what really got me mad was that the tea bag read 'English Breakfast'. For so much of deliberation and anticipation, I was served an 'English Breakfast' tea bag under the guise of 'special brew Darjeeling'. Any guesses what would have been different if I had opted for 'speacial brew Assam' instead?
Not the one to let go such lapses, I checked with the Barista what would have been different if I had ordered Assam tea.
He : "The flavour sir".
Me : "Fine then, and I suppose it would be the tea bag that gives it the flavour"
He : "No sir, the tea bag would have been the same". The series of lies start here.
Me : "So is it the water that adds to the flavour?"
He : "No sir, both the tea bag and the water are the same in both teas, only the flavour is different"
Me : "So, something has to introduce the flavour. If it is not the tea or the water, and since sugar was already at my table, can you please tell me what is making my tea 'Darjeeling'?"
He (pointing to a counter) : "Sir, the flavour is kept there. I added it when 'preparing' the tea"
Me : "So you added it to the water?"
He : "Yes sir, I added it to the water."
Me : "Please can you show it to me, and also show me the one you add to make it 'Assam'."
He (pulling out a bottle from under the counter) : "Sir, I think we have finished the Assam flavour, this one is for Darjeeling."
And there it was, a bottle of Cinnamon. To rest any doubts that the label did not read what was inside the bottle, I reconfirmed that it was actually Cinnamon that he added to make my tea 'Darjeeling'. And would I not know if there was even a minute trace of Cinnamon in my drink?
Well then, am I ever returning to this coffee shop? But of course, why would I not? But before you think I have actually lost my senses to go back to them, let me tell you, I am returning to let my displeasure known to those who run it. They can't take their customers for granted, at least not me.
