The accident occurred on Friday night near Sector 150 when the victim, Yuvraj Mehta, was returning home from work, according to an NDTV report. In a tragic incident, a 27-year-old software engineer lost his life after his car collided with a drainage boundary and plunged into a deep ditch amid
A 20-year-old Kuki woman who was gang-raped in Manipur in May 2023 died on January 10 of a prolonged illness linked to her injuries, Newslaundry reported on Saturday. Her family said she never fully recovered from the physical and psychological trauma of the assault
Almost five decades following a theft of ₹7.65, a Mumbai court has concluded a 1977 dormant case involving two anonymous suspects and a plaintiff who stayed missing despite years of law enforcement efforts. This decision represents one of several recent judgments in ancient proceedings that
Davos is under unprecedented security for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Thousands of armed forces, drones, and special tools are deployed. Global leaders, CEOs, and civil society members are attending. Protests are planned, with authorities ready to manage demonstrations
The IPO will open for subscription on January 20, 2026, giving investors a chance to bet on the fast-growing logistics sector, and will close on January 22, 2026, with the company slated to make its debut on the BSE and NSE on January 28, 2026. New Delhi: Shadowfax Technologies Ltd
Ditch matcha, try Fu Cha
Ditch matcha, try Fu Cha
Through the lens of tea, the year is yet to begin. Spring is some time away and we are still in a period of quiet dormancy in tea gardens—especially in the north and the North-East, where no plucking or production takes place during this time—and preparing for a new start. That's my mood too. I find that I am loath to set resolutions or make grand plans, preferring instead to mull over things. Keeping me company is a five-year-old tea fermented with a fungus. It's one of the most comforting teas I have ever had.
Now that I turn to pu-erh in late monsoon and through winter, I was well stocked this season, with three pu-erhs, a Singpho falap (a compressed and aged indigenous Assam tea), and a Hei Cha or dark tea from Shaanxi, China, much of it owed to generous tea friends. I went through a lot of pu-erh during the last couple of months while the box of dark tea remained in the wings. This week, with the rains returning to Puducherry, I decided to crack it open.
The name on the box is Jing Yang Fu Cha, and it was sent by Gautam, one of the readers of this column, from his travel to China last year. It was compressed in a brick, but not as tightly packed as a pu-erh usually is. (With compressed tea, we use a tea pick to find that spot where it gives a little easily to pry the leaves loose.) I expected the taste to resemble that of the pu-erh, and was surprised by its milder, mellower flavours. Pleasantly woody, but the big takeaway was how calming it was. I brewed it in a few short steeps and then a longer last steep. It is such an effortless tea, in both how it produces a great liquor no matter how you brew it, and in how pleasant it is.
I knew little about the Hei Cha or dark tea, in which category this tea falls. Now Googling the Fu Cha, reading about its origins from the 14th century, and of the probiotic enzyme-producing Eurotium cristatum that is used in the post-fermentation step, I just had to stop. To think that someone sat before a pile of tea leaves and decided to wither it, roll it, and in a controlled environment offering the right humidity and temperature, allowed a fungus to ferment it just enough but not too much, allowing it to age without spoiling… it boggles my mind. And then to find ways to compress it, design tea picks to break it away, a gaiwan to make for a proper brewing vessel, a bamboo tray to keep the tea brewing clean, and other paraphernalia to elevate the whole experience… there's so much to appreciate and also learn from the world of Chinese tea. And mind you, this tea is made from the larger and coarser leaf of the bush, and not the two leaves and a bud we so favour as the finest and flavourful—showing us that no matter the leaf, there's also the fine art of tea making that can transform it.
As the world chases the matcha, I am reminded that it too bears Chinese origins. Of course, credit must go to the Japanese for refining the process to create what is so loved today, but undeniably, its beginnings lie in the heartland of tea. I am still brewing little cups of the Fu Cha tea as I finish this column; each infusion a delight. To a year of discovery and appreciation of tea.
1001 Teas is a fortnightly series about the many stories hidden in the world of tea. Aravinda Anantharaman (@AravindaAnanth1) is a tea drinker, writer and editor.
Source: LiveMint
Related Posts: How India's largest airline lost control and threw air travel into chaos Try these lip care products to treat dry and chapped lips this winter Festive Vegan Recipes To Try For Christmas And New Year Abhishek Banerjee's 'Kumbh stampede' defence against Kolkata stadium chaos 7 AI portrait styles ChatGPT users can try with GPT Image 1 Gautam Gambhir In Spotlight As Rohit Sharma’s Explosive 155 Sparks Chants Italy watchdog orders Meta to halt WhatsApp terms barring rival AI chatbots Come and try to catch me…’ President of THIS country challenges Donald Trump after US’ military action in Venezuela New Restaurants That Have Been Launched In Mumbai That You Need To Try This January Samsung Galaxy S26 might finally ditch slow charging
In the wake of the BMC election results, actor Govinda, who is also a prominent Shiv Sena leader, expressed his aspirations for a thriving Mumbai. He emphasized that effective governance is crucial for the city's ongoing prosperity. With an optimistic shift in the creative landscape
Just now
The Budget was presented during the tenure of Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, when economic growth was slowing and investor confidence needed a boost. New Delhi: The Union Budget of 1997–98 holds a special place in India's economic history. Presented on February 28, 1997
1 minutes ago
India is set for a power-packed representation at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in this Alpine resort town that will see the global elite discuss "a spirit of dialogue" in a fragmented world for five days beginning on Monday (January 19, 2026)
1 minutes ago
On Saturday, office-bearers of the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation Employees' Union met with Municipal Commissioner Vikramaditya Singh Malik and other senior officials to discuss an 11-point demand letter. The meeting covered key issues, including cashless medical facilities, employee promotions
1 minutes ago
Delhi airport plans to shut its third runway starting mid-February for at least four months for infrastructure upgrades, officials said. The closure of runway 11R/29L, which is expected to reopen by June, may slow down operations and cause delays at the IGIA, one of the country's busiest airports
Just now
Emerging evidence is reshaping how clinicians understand women's bone health after menopause. A new wave of observational data suggests that women with a history of infertility, recurrent miscarriages, stillbirth, or low parity face a significantly higher risk of osteoporosis once they reach
Just now
While Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde keeps his 29 corporators at a five-star hotel, seemingly to prevent poaching following NDA's win in the BMC polls, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised the suspense by saying that ‘the game is on,' according to a report by NDTV
1 minutes ago
European Union leaders on Saturday (January 17, 2026) warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” over U.S. President Donald Trump's vow to implement increasing tariffs on European allies until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland
1 minutes ago
Through the lens of tea, the year is yet to begin. Spring is some time away and we are still in a period of quiet dormancy in tea gardens—especially in the north and the North-East, where no plucking or production takes place during this time—and preparing for a new start
1 minutes ago
Greenland has never fought a war. But its shadow looms large over the mineral-rich Arctic island, which apparently requires American takeover for the purpose of “national security" if US President Donald Trump is to be believed. Trump's claims? Russia and China are trying to control Greenland
1 minutes ago
Australian Open organizers came under fire on the Grand Slam's opening day on Sunday (January 18, 2026) as frustrated fans sweated in long queues to the gates of Melbourne Park and complained of confusion over the suspension of ticket sales
1 minutes ago
Vivo is all set to launch the Vivo X200T in India with a focus on wooing camera-focused buyers. While the official launch date of the device hasn't been revealed yet, the leaked specifications and pricing of the phone suggest that it will be a direct competitor to the recently launched Oppo Reno 15
Just now
Thousands of people took to the streets across Greenland on Saturday in the largest coordinated protests the Arctic island has witnessed, pushing back against renewed calls by US President Donald Trump to take control of the territory and reaffirming support for self-rule
1 minutes ago
Gurugram, Jan 18 (PTI) Haryana Cabinet Minister Rao Narbir Singh on Sunday took a dig at Union Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh, saying his political career started after defeating the latter in the Jatusana Assembly poll in 1987. Rao Narbir said this during a press conference while countering
1 minutes ago
Legendary Usain Bolt is plotting for a huge Olympic return after 12 years in Los Angeles in 2028 but in a totally different sport. With eight gold medals at the Olympics across three editions and 11 yellow metals at the World Championships, Bolt cemented his legacy as the fastest man on the planet
Just now
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government's negligence for the deaths linked to the contaminated drinking water in India's cleanest city, Indore, calling it a new smart city model with no drinking water. Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore on Saturday to meet patients and
Just now
Soldiers are on standby for possible deployment to Minneapolis, a US defence official has told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. The official said the 1,500 soldiers, currently in Alaska, are an option for US president Donald Trump if he decided to use active duty military personnel
Just now
Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana lauded her team's bowling performance after a commanding victory over Delhi Capitals in the 11th match of the Women's Premier League 2026 season on Saturday. Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Smriti Mandhana lauded her team's bowling performance
Just now
As the T20 World Cup kicks off at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Saurabh Netravalkar, a fast bowler born in Mumbai and now representing the USA, can't help but feel a surge of nostalgia. His path has been unconventional—transitioning from cricket in India to delving into computer science in the
1 minutes ago
In a major anti-narcotics crackdown, Central and state security forces have destroyed more than 306 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipur's mountainous Kangpokpi district within six days, effectively foiling an attempt to manufacture opium worth several crores of rupees
1 minutes ago
Zeynep Sonmez's first-round win at the Australian Open on Sunday came with a moment that reminded everyone what sport looks like at its best — calm, human, and instinctive. The world No.112 Turkish qualifier was in the middle of a tight match against 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova when play
1 minutes ago
Music composer AR Rahman on Sunday addressed the criticism about his recent comments about a possible “communal” bias in the Hindi film industry in the past eight years, saying he never intended to hurt anyone's sentiments. In a video shared on Instagram
Just now
Varanasi police have registered eight FIRs against individuals, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Congress leader Pappu Yadav, for allegedly spreading AI-generated images and misleading information about the Manikarnika Ghat redevelopment. The authorities claim fabricated content was circulated to
Just now
As Republic Day 2026 falls on a Monday, the holiday conveniently falls close to the weekend allowing travel-loving Indians a rare four-to-five-day escape by taking a break from work. The upcoming long weekend on Republic Day 2026 has triggered a surge in holiday planning
Just now
After Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya triggered a political storm with his remarks, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan weighed in, blaming the influence of the internet and alcohol for sexual crimes. Reacting to Baraiya's controversial statement
Just now
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate development projects in Singur, West Bengal. BJP leader Biman Ghosh criticizes the state government, accusing it of betraying farmers and shutting down industries. Ghosh also condemned recent incidents of violence and stated that the public will remove the
Just now
Shadowfax IPO GMP: Shadowfax Technologies Ltd, a logistics company, will launch its initial public offering (IPO) this week. The company is planning to raise up to Rs 1,907.27 crore from the primary market. comprising a fresh issue worth Rs 1,000 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of Rs 907
Just now
