In Bengal, the word “cha” is almost always accompanied by “ta”, referring to the sweet and savoury accompaniments that come with the cuppa. CC&FC on Saturday turned this Bong tradition into a tea-and-food pairing session with t2 columnists Rakhi Purnima Dasgupta, Shaun Kenworthy and Nondon Bagchi.

The Kewpie’s lady picked five flavours from Te-A-Me, a premium range of tea bags launched recently in the Indian market, which the guests had to rate on the basis of “aroma, taste and body”.

After the first variant (mint green tea) was served, five guests at a table gave five different answers! “Exactly my point. Tea is a very personal experience,” said Rakhi Purnima. No wonder the tagline of the brand Tea-A-Me is “A tea for every me”.

“Each of us today lead many lives filled with unique experiences and varying moods. Wouldn’t it be great to have a special tea for every moment?” asked Sumit Shah, executive director of Madhu Jayanti International, which has launched 17 “mood-inspired” Tea-A-Me tea bags.

“It’s as amazing a subject as wine. You can pair different kinds of food with your tea, from shingara and kochuri to kebabs and cupcakes. But it’s the companionship and bonding of a bunch of people enjoying their tea together that goes best with tea universally,” said foodie Nondon Bagchi.