Listen, I take my tea very seriously. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur, I’m practically steeped in the stuff. Ever since I had my first taste of tea and its different forms, I was hooked. Green tea, oolong tea, black tea… All of them have their own quirks and characteristics. From fruit teas to tea lattes to just plain ol’ pure tea, I’ve tried nearly every variation under the sun. So what sets the drinks at Origin Teahouse apart?
Before we even get to the actual tea, let’s talk about the vibes! Nestled in the recently opened KADA, Origin Teahouse is a start-up begun by co-founders Ethan and Wenxi, with the space decorated with the cosy aesthetic of white lawn chairs and parasols. Follow the stone steps, and you’ll arrive before the storefront, air conditioning blowing gently from where the counter stands.
Off to the side, collect your order from a window or watch as they prepare your drink step-by-step, precision present in every part of the process. And to round it all off, every drink is packaged into a pretty ombre cup – something that caught my eye from the start!
Origin Teahouse’s main priority is quality and transparency. Each and every facet of the beverages available is meticulously procured. Forget about the fancy toppings synonymous with bubble tea; what you get here is pure tea, fruits straight from the source and 100% milk and dairy cream – no powdered creamers in sight. Mindblowing, but does natural taste just as good – or could it be even better?
Fruit Teas
My first taste of what Origin Teahouse had to offer was their fruit teas – the main event of the media tasting. Usually, these aren’t my first picks at tea chains; they are usually chock-full of syrup and extra additives that completely overshadow the tea itself. Let’s spill on how this bright, summery line of beverages holds up!
Triple Citrus Jasmine Tea
Citrus lovers, this is for you: Introducing the Triple Citrus Jasmine Tea. They aren’t kidding when they say triple citrus, as this contains Perfume Lemons from Guangdong, Sunkist Oranges, as well as Yellow lemons from South Africa – all in a single cup.
As you take a swig, remember to savour it: you’ll be met by the sharp tang of the Perfume Lemons encompassed with the gentle Green Tea. The bright Sunkist Oranges emerge and wash over your taste buds before finishing off with the sweetness of the Yellow Lemons. Here, the floral notes of Hengxian Jasmine bloom fully, the flowers’ aroma absorbed fully by the spring-harvested Green Tea from Zhejiang, China.
Reminiscent of a lemonade, this beverage is perfect for particularly humid and warm days, invigorating drinkers down until the very end. Balanced in both sweet and sour, those who aren’t the biggest fans of tea will have no problem with this one. The mild flavours of green tea fuse with the jasmine blossoms, the stringent taste many dislike eclipsed by the scent of delicate flowers.
Berry Nice
A crowd favourite, it’s easy to see why Berry Nice has won the hearts of so many. This strawberry tea is simple but deliciously effective. Approximately 100g of fresh strawberries from Daegu, South Korea or Liaoning, China, alongside Sichuan Gardenia Green Tea, topped with a slice of Perfume Lemon from Guangdong—in what world could that go wrong?
Take a sip as the tart sweetness of the strawberries hits your tongue. The smooth and silky Gardenia Green Tea envelops the natural sweetness of juicy Korean Strawberries, melding to create a flavour profile that highlights the subtle floral notes of both tea and fruit. As the berry notes bloom forward, a punch of citrus cuts through it all, wrapping the lingering strawberry aspect with an aftertaste of lemon. Make sure not to chug – chew on the chunks of strawberry present in the drink for a little extra texture.
Call me basic, but this is definitely my favourite of the five as well! I’m a sucker for strawberries and strawberry-flavoured things, but more often that not, strawberry beverages are jam-packed with syrup and artificial flavourings. Berry Nice, on the other hand, is filled to the brim with all the strawberry-ness and tea aroma I love, minus all the extra stuff!
Da Hong Pao Perfume Lemon
If you’re a huge fan of tea and love it when it packs a punch, the Da Hong Pao Perfume Lemon is gonna be your best bet. This robust oolong tea originates from the Fujian province and is known for its rich and warm flavour profile. Combined with the Perfume Lemon, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
Crisp and sharp, your taste buds will first be met by the sour citrusy nature of the Perfume Lemon before the lemon makes way for the warm depth of the Da Hong Pao tea. Roasted and almost smoky, the Da Hong Pao balances the bright zestiness with a more chestnut-like and calming flavour.
The only drink I personally think would taste better hot, the Da Hong Pao Perfume Lemon is definitely for those with more seasoned taste buds. Both flavours in this cup could easily tip over to stringent and overly sharp. However, this walks the tightrope of refreshing yet calming easily, providing an invigorating drink while still retaining the complexity of Da Hong Pao tea.
Jin Jun Mei Mango
Want something a little more tropical? Try the Jin Jun Mei Mango! Each cup features a creamy Australian mango mixed with pineapple, accentuated by the Jin Jun Mei Tea. This black tea is a delicate masterpiece from the Wuyi Mountains, with floral, fruity notes that accompany a sweet, honey-esque aroma.
As you tilt the ombre-hued cup, your tongue is coated with this exquisite blend. A mild tang goes hand-in-hand with the creaminess known to mango and pineapple, a tinge of the elegant, welcoming flavours of the black tea lining the undercurrents of each mouthful. Vibrant and revitalising, the play of fruity sweet-and-sour is rounded out by the mellow scent of honey from the Jin Jun Mei Tea – a medley that will keep you hooked!
I am not the biggest fan of mango drinks, even less so if there are pineapples in the drink. Now, before you come for me, I will admit that the Jin Jun Mei Mango absolutely brings out the best qualities of both fruits while still allowing the Jin Jun Mei Black Tea – one of my favourite teas types – to stand in the spotlight. While this isn’t my absolute favourite, this beverage weaves all its aspects into a brilliant masterpiece.
Apple & Peaches Yu Gui
Ooh, of the five, this one intrigued me the most. Apple & Peaches Yu Gui was not only the most complex of the five, it was also the most unique. Apples and peaches tend to overshadow tea in drinks like these and contain very distinct flavours. However, in this cup, the refreshing sweet tartness of the apple and the juicy, aromatic nature of the peach work beautifully in harmony.
Take the crispness apples are known for and add in a little of the floral musk that comes from peaches. Now throw all of that into a base of Yu Gui Oolong Tea from the Wuyi Mountains in the Fujian province. Unlike usual teas, it carries notes of cinnamon-esque warmth with a smooth mouthfeel but a sharp bittersweet aftertaste that is soothed by the apple and peach combo.
Refreshing without leaning into usual citrus notes, this slushy-like beverage has the apple and peach in the limelight at first taste before the distinct cinnamon spice of the Yu Gui Tea emerges as an undercurrent and aftertaste. A blend that isn’t easy to capture in words, the Apple & Peaches Yu Gui is a must-try if you’re a fan of these flavour notes!
Origin Teahouse At KADA
Now, this is far from the full extent of Origin Teahouse’s menu. They have the classic milk teas that are thicker and creamier than anything in your imagination. Added into a fragrant tea that is not only potent but brewed to perfection – it was like paradise in a cup! And, of course, if you want to experience the full profile and discover the traits of all the teas they use, you have to indulge in their pure teas.
If you want to amp up the experience? Choose from one of their options in the Tea In A Pot series, available only for dining in at KADA. Blossoms float about the tea, infusing the liquid with their mellow, floral flavours. Served in a glass teapot accompanied by two additional teacups, the visuals are just immeasurable!
Ombre cups, potent tea, ingredients straight from the source, and a chill set-up – is there anything else you can ask for? Not to mention, it’s less than a stone’s throw away from Maxwell MRT and right beside Maxwell Food Centre, so grab a bite and then take a sip! Pastries from Keong Saik Bakery are displayed beautifully in the store as well.
We all know just how many tea chains exist in Singapore – turn around the corner and there will probably be at least two. With so many brands popping up, sometimes (okay, let’s be honest, most of the time) quali-tea just isn’t guaranteed. As someone who has ducked behind the counter for a spell, I’ve seen firsthand the whole process of making bubble tea and milk teas. Simply put, sugar and sweetener tend to get crammed into every nook and cranny of these drinks.
But at Origin Teahouse, it’s a whole different story. You don’t need sugar to cover up if your drinks are already tasty! A menu full of milk teas and fruit teas that aren’t composed of artificial syrups, that also has quality at the forefront – wait, you don’t believe me? Try it out yourself then! In fact, a little birdie told me that a second outlet is coming real soon…
📍Location: 5 Kadayanallur St, #01-05A, KADA 069183
⏰Opening Hours:
- Monday: 11am – 8pm
- Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 9:30pm
Photos by Zheng Yi of the DANAMIC Team. Additional visuals courtesy of Origin Teahouse.
