Holistic heritage brew

WHEN your family once owned sprawling tea plantations and have the knowledge and capability in manufacturing tea, then reading the tea leaves at the bottom of the tea cup is easy.

The dregs can only read "Build a tea brand" - which is what Singapore's BP de Silva Group's fifth-generation scion Rehan Amarasuriya, 27, was tasked with and set out to do. With the explosion of interest in branded and designer coffees in the last couple of years, he sees Singapore consumers wanting more quality in their teas as well.

BP de Silva Group's 1872 Clipper Tea was launched earlier this year, pitched at a cut above supermarket grades. The brand has been making an impact in boutique settings such as PasarBella and Tangs' recently revamped basement store.