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New brands pour into Singapore's growing tea scene
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(Clockwise from left) Teas from ChaPanda, Origin Teahouse at Kada and Petale Tea.
SINGAPORE – Tea is brewing up fresh excitement in Singapore's beverage scene. Once overshadowed by coffee, it is now embraced for its health benefits and as a lifestyle drink.
Riding on themes of health, wellness and mindfulness, a new wave of tea purveyors is enticing customers with fruit-laden brews, fragrant leaves and modern presentation.
The market has seen an influx of entrants over the past year. These range from Chinese brands such as ChaPanda and Luli both making their Singapore debut, to home-grown concepts like LimCha Teahouse Cafe and Golden Seed, which focus mainly on Chinese tea with a modern spin.
Floral and herbal infusions, as well as tea balls incorporating Chinese and Western teas, are also gaining popularity.
Fresh fruit teas are a major draw. ChaPanda – which has close to 9,000 stores in China and overseas, including in Malaysia, South Korea, Australia and France – opened its first two Singapore outlets in July at youth hub *Scape and Northpoint City.
Ms Joanna Jia, 36, country manager of ChaPanda Singapore, notes that the brand has evolved from bubble tea to focus on tea beverages based on fresh fruit.
The Mango Pomelo Sago ($5.90 for medium, $6.90 for large) is the brand's bestseller, containing about half a mango and plenty of red pomelo in every cup.
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Ms Jia says: 'Sixty per cent of our customers go for fruit tea. We maintain strict control over product quality, using fresh fruit delivered daily and prepared on site.'
ChaPanda Singapore's country manager Joanna Jia with the brand's Shine Muscat Grape Jasmine Tea and Mango Pomelo Sago at its *Scape outlet.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Singaporean Jovalene Teo, 44, introduced Chinese tea brand Luli to the local market to offer a healthier, functional alternative to sugary bubble tea.
Ms Jovalene Teo, chief executive of Luli Singapore, which opened its first local outlet at Marina Square on Aug 10.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Luli Singapore, which opened its first outlet at Marina Square on Aug 10, sells modern lifestyle beverages rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.
An example is its Lingzhi Dragon Ginseng ($9.80), which is exclusive to Singapore. The blend of lingzhi and ginseng is said to support immunity, reduce fatigue and promote longevity, while jasmine tea and milk are added to make the drink palatable to younger consumers.
Luli Singapore's Lingzhi Dragon Ginseng.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
F&N Foods Singapore managing director Siew Peng Yim, 57, has observed tea making a comeback as milk tea continues to grow in popularity.
The trend inspired F&N Foods to launch its F&N Magnolia Limited Edition Earl Grey Low Fat Flavoured Milk ($2.52 for 475ml, $3.63 for 946ml) on June 2. Made with black tea powder and infused with the distinct citrusy, floral scent of bergamot, the milk is available in stores and online until November.
The F&N Magnolia Limited Edition Earl Grey Low Fat Flavoured Milk was launched in June.
PHOTO: F&N FOODS
Mr Siew notes that tea is trending in Singapore due to a combination of factors, including changing consumer preferences and the rise of speciality tea shops.
'Singaporeans are increasingly seeking out unique and high-quality teas,' he says.
Beyond taste and flavour
New home-grown teahouses and brands are also promoting tea as a mode to appreciating Chinese tea culture, and as a path to mindful living.
LimCha Teahouse Cafe, which opened in the Joo Chiat enclave in May, is on a mission to preserve and promote Teochew gongfu tea culture with a modern twist.
It offers five varieties of Chaozhou Dancong – a type of oolong – brewed in gongfu tea tradition, iced teas, cold brews and housemade pastries, such as Strawberry Dancong Cake ($11.90+ a slice) with tea-infused fresh cream frosting and jelly.
LimCha Teahouse Cafe in Joo Chiat offers teas brewed in the tradition of gongfu tea, cold brews and tea-infused pastries.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
At Millenia Walk, premium tea atelier Golden Seed, which opened in February, offers tasting flights of high-quality teas to encourage customers to appreciate aroma and flavour layers. Prices start at $36+ for a set of Xi Hu Long Jing.
Ms Abby Lim, 42, marketing director of Golden Seed, says the cafe is aimed at both tea enthusiasts and non-tea drinkers.
'We want to cultivate a deeper appreciation for exceptional teas by blending heritage with modern sensibilities,' she says.
Ms Abby Lim, marketing director of Golden Seed at Millenia Walk, says the brand is aimed at tea enthusiasts and non-tea drinkers alike.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Herbal and floral infusions are also stirring up renewed interest.
Tea Therapy Singapore, an online retailer specialising in caffeine-free floral, herbal and freeze-dried fruit teas was opened in September 2024 by Ms Sheena Lim, 53.
'Tea has gone beyond flavour and taste,' she says. 'It is about inner peace and calm, and what tea can bring to your health, both physically and mentally.'
For some, tea is an entry point to healthier daily habits. 'Coffee gives an energy boost, but tea is about slowing down and socialising,' says Ms Jia.
Despite growing competition, sellers see the increased visibility as positive. 'Having more competitors raises the profile of tea and benefits all sellers,' adds Ms Jia.
LimCha Teahouse Cafe's owner, Ms Gladys Lim, 24, welcomes the variety that new tea sellers bring.
'There are so many facets to tea, from traditional to floral to herbal infusions. It is a welcome change from the coffee scene and the trend of syrupy bubble tea,' she says.
Ms Glady Lim, owner of LimCha Teahouse Cafe, is on a mission to preserve Teochew tea culture.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
From mass-market launches to niche ateliers, here is a closer look at seven purveyors brewing a distinct presence in Singapore's tea scene.
ChaPanda: Fresh fruit in every cup
Where: 02-07 *Scape, 2 Orchard Link, and B2-162 Northpoint City, South Wing, 1 North Point Drive
Open: 10am to 10pm daily
Info: @ on Instagram
ChaPanda entered Singapore in July with a splash, opening two outlets within a week to introduce its fresh fruit tea drinks.
Founded in 2008 in Chengdu, Sichuan, the Chinese brand has shifted from bubble tea to offering fruit-based tea beverages alongside milk tea.
Founded in 2008 in Chengdu, Sichuan, ChaPanda entered Singapore in July with two outlets, including at *Scape.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
The Singapore menu features 18 drinks, with the classic Signature Taro Ball Milk Tea ($4.50 for medium, $5.50 for large) made with Mei Zhan Hua Kui tea leaves from Yunnan. This black tea has slightly bitter notes and a floral fragrance that pairs well with milk.
The brand's top sellers here, as in China, are fruit teas.
Besides the popular Mango Pomelo Sago ($5.90 for medium, $6.90 for large), customers are also drawn to Shine Muscat Grape Jasmine Tea ($5.90 for medium, $6.90 for large).
Shine Muscat grapes from China are delivered daily.
Each drink is prepared to order, with grapes muddled by hand to release the juice, then blended with jasmine tea and ice. Chunks of grape and jelly give the drink a chewy texture.
ChaPanda's Shine Muscat Grape Jasmine Tea (left) and Mango Pomelo Sago.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
No artificial colouring or preservatives are used, with the drinks' colour coming from tea or fruit. Customers can choose sugar levels ranging from zero to 120 per cent.
The *Scape flagship spans 1,000 sq ft indoors and 2,000 sq ft outdoors, seating up to 15 inside and 70 outside.
Expansion plans include a Chinatown Point outlet in October and more outlets in the next three years.
Luli Singapore: Tea meets TCM remedies
Where: 02-184/185 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard
Open: 10am to 10pm daily
Info:
Ms Jovalene Teo, chief executive of Luli Singapore, at the brand's first outlet in Singapore at Marina Square.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Ms Jovalene Teo, 44, chief executive of Luli Singapore, holds the Singapore master franchise of the Chinese brand of modern beverages rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with the aim of providing consumers here with alternatives to sugar-laden bubble tea.
The concept from Nanjing, launched in 2023, has about 500 outlets in China and one each in Malaysia and Vietnam.
At Luli Singapore's first outlet at Marina Square, consumers can choose from 22 drinks, with the signature range being caffeine-free 'remedy brews' made without tea leaves.
These herbal infusions use ingredients such as ginseng, dried pear slices and fresh Namshui pear. Other offerings include milk teas and fruit teas made with jasmine green tea, osmanthus oolong and honey-scented black tea.
The formulations for the TCM-based remedy brews are supported by Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Research Institute.
A popular choice is Roselle Tangerine Peel Zest ($5.90 for medium, $6.90 for large), with a tangy-sweet base of aged tangerine peel, plum, roselle, licorice root and hawthorn. In TCM, these are said to aid digestion, support spleen health and soothe the throat. Perfume lemon, imported from Guangdong, adds an aromatic citrus lift.
Roselle Tangerine Peel Zest at Luli Singapore's Marina Square outlet.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
In September, the store will launch an AI Mirror, which uses artificial intelligence to scan a customer's face and tongue, and provide a diagnostic report on body constitution and recommend suitable brews. The device will also give lifestyle tips on herbal tonics and recipes for herbal soups.
Luli Singapore will soon launch an AI Mirror, which customers can use to get TCM-based diagnostic reports on their body constitution and recommendations on brews.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Luli Singapore will open a second outlet at Keppel South Central in Tanjong Pagar in October.
LimCha Teahouse Cafe: Modern spin on Teochew tea culture
Where: Level 2, 93 East Coast
Open: 11am to 8pm (Wednesdays and Thursdays), noon to 10pm (Fridays to Sundays), closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Info: Go to @limcha_teahousecafe on Instagram or call 8509-2526
LimCha Teahouse Cafe in Joo Chiat invites customers to slow down and savour traditional Teochew tea culture in a modern space.
Opened on May 1 by owner Gladys Lim, 24, the 1,200 sq ft cafe offers five varieties of premium Dancong teas from Phoenix Mountain in Guangdong, China. Dancong is a type of oolong prized for its aroma.
Prices start at $8.90+ for teas such as iced Longan Ya Shi Xiang and go up to $79.90+ for the Signature Premium Cold Tea Set. Good for up to four people to share, the set includes two 500ml bottles of cold brew Honey Orchid and Orchid Vanilla teas, desserts, fresh fruit and snacks.
The iced Longan Ya Shi Xiang blends longan flavouring with Ya Shi Xiang tea, known for its earthy, woody notes.
Iced Longan Ya Shi Xiang at LimCha Teahouse Cafe.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
For a traditional experience, the Gong Fu Cha Dancong Hot Tea Ceremonial Set ($35+) features Mi Lan Xiang Dancong with a rich scent of honey and fruit, paired with Chaozhou-sourced spiral nut biscuits and roasted peanuts.
The Gong Fu Cha Dancong Hot Tea Ceremonial Set at LimCha Teahouse Cafe.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
For a lighter entry into the world of tea, try the Dancong Milk Grass Jelly ($8.90+), a tea-infused dessert of grass jelly. Ya Shi Xiang tea is added to the whole milk, which tops the grass jelly.
Dancong Milk Grass Jelly is a tea-infused dessert at LimCha Teahouse Cafe.
ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN
Golden Seed: Sleek take on artisanal teas
Where: 01-71/72 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard
Open: 11am to 7pm daily
Info: Go to
or call 9477-4610
At Millenia Walk, Golden Seed brings together old-world tea heritage and contemporary presentation.
Opened in February, the premium tea atelier offers 12 handpicked varieties from across Asia – including the sought-after first flush of Xi Hu Long Jing and the smooth, fruity Li Shan High Mountain Tea – brewed with precision to showcase their aroma and taste.
Golden Seed's teas are split into two categories: five premium options under the Tea Awakening Journey, and seven award-winning or aged teas – some more than 20 years old – served as Grand Tea Experience sets.
Each set comes with snacks, and most teas yield four to five brews without losing flavour.
The Xi Hu Long Jing ($88+) is sourced from Hangzhou's West Lake, using only the first spring shoots and is prized for its refreshing, nutty and slightly sweet notes.
The tea is served in a glass teapot to display the leaves, which float to the surface at the start of the brew – a mark of quality and freshness.
Xi Hu Long Jing Grand Tea Experience at Golden Seed.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
The Li Shan High Mountain Tea ($88+) is a Taiwanese oolong with a velvety, fruity profile preserved through delicate roasting.
While each Grand Tea Experience set serves up to two, each Tea Awakening Journey set serves one, such as the Liu Bao ($36+), a fermented tea from Guangxi that has earthy, medicinal notes.
Liu Bao Tea Awakening Journey at Golden Seed.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Beyond the drinks menu, the space includes a retail section with the in-house designed Harmony Teapot ($108), made of glass and created to make tea brewing accessible at home without complex rituals.
Origin Teahouse: Natural tea beverages
Where: 01-05A Kada, 5 Kadayanallur Street
Open: Noon to 8pm (Mondays), noon to 9.30pm (Tuesdays to Sundays)
Info: Go to @originteahouse on Instagram or call 8089-1608
At Origin Teahouse, the Roasted Tie Guan Yin Latte ($6.80) offers a coffee-like experience without the jitters or crash.
Roasted Tie Guan Yin Latte at Origin Teahouse at Kada.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Co-founders Lee Wenxi, 31, and Ethan Keng, 33, came up with a process of deep-roasting tie guan yin leaves from China's Fujian to bring out chocolatey, toasty aromas before grinding them into powder for a 'tea espresso'.
Mr Ethan Keng (left) and Mr Lee Wenxi, co-founders of Origin Teahouse at Kada.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Extracted using a calibrated Taiwanese espresso machine, the concentrated shot is blended with fresh local milk from Viknesh Dairy Farm and Madagascar vanilla beans. French Elle & Vire cream, not non-dairy creamers, goes into the blend for a silky finish.
Origin Teahouse, which positions itself as a 100 per cent fresh and natural tea beverage brand, does not use artificial flavourings, additives or sweeteners in its beverages.
Opened in December 2024 at Kada, the 30-seat teahouse reflects the founders' commitment to transparency and accountability to customers in terms of the source and quality of ingredients used.
The duo took numerous trips to China's tea-growing regions for research and development of their products over a period of 16 months.
Also on the menu is its signature Berry Nice Tea ($9.20), a lively brew of gardenia green tea with fresh strawberry puree, finished with the distinct floral citrusy scent and flavour from perfume lemon slices. The perfume lemon, a hybrid lemon, is air-flown weekly from Guangdong.
Origin Teahouse's Berry Nice Tea features perfume lemons.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
The brand launched its second outlet, a takeaway kiosk at The Arcade, in June and has a third outlet at Tang Plaza in Orchard set to open on Aug 18.
Tea Therapy Singapore: Caffeine-free infusions
Info: Go to
or call 9844-1415
Online store Tea Therapy Singapore focuses on floral, herbal and freeze-dried fruit infusions, which eschew tea leaves, are free of caffeine and are best consumed unsweetened.
Launched in September 2024 by Ms Sheena Lim, 53, it is dedicated to sharing plant-based remedies, with a focus on the restorative benefits of herbal and floral infusions.
Ms Sheena Lim, owner of Tea Therapy, an online tea retailer which specialises in caffeine-free floral, herbal and freeze-dried fruit teas.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Her interest in these began in 2018 after she suffered a mini stroke triggered by stress, during which she was unable to see out of her right eye for 30 minutes. She was subsequently hospitalised for four days.
Not keen to take the prescribed blood thinners on a long-term basis, she learnt to prepare folk remedies for herself using plants and herbs.
Eventually, her interest in plant-based remedies developed into a business plan to sell floral and herbal infusions online.
'I am not just selling tea for drinking. I want to promote a healthier lifestyle with more thought to incorporating plants into the diet in the form of floral and herbal infusions,' she says.
She notes that preparing and drinking tea can be a meditative and calming ritual, appealing to those seeking moments of peace in their busy lives.
Start with the nine-piece Flora Sampling Set ($18.90), a discovery box of 'tea bombs' featuring flowers such as rose, roselle, jasmine, lily, osmanthus, yellow and white chrysanthemum, peony and butterfly pea.
The balls of tea are handcrafted in Yunnan.
Tea Therapy's floral tea bomb made of rose petals and roselle.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
For a night-time wind-down, try the herbal Bonne Nuit ($33.90 for a box of 10 sachets), crafted as a sleep-supporting blend. It combines longan, Poria cocos, tangerine peel, red date, barley, wolfberry, hawthorn, lotus seed, rose and rosemary – a gentle, caffeine-free option aimed to help one relax before bed.
Tea Therapy Singapore's Bonne Nuit is a herbal blend crafted to aid sleep and made with ingredients such as longan, tangerine peel and rosemary.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
Petale Tea: Sip on stories
Where: 05-33 Ubi Techpark, 10 Ubi Crescent
Open: Pick up of orders by appointment only
Info: Go to
call 8065-7687 or e-mail
enjoythemoments@
Opened in 2018 by founder Rosemary Kwa, 42, Petale Tea specialises in handcrafted blooming teas aimed at making tea-drinking a mindful, sensory ritual.
Petale Tea founder Rosemary Kwa with a selection of handcrafted tea at her Ubi Techpark office.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Its newest launch, the Classic Storytelling Tin series, brings narrative flair to premium tea. Released in June, the 10-flavour collection is named after attributes such as Elegance, Passion and Resilience.
Each tin by Petale Tea, which specialises in gift sets, contains eight blooming tea balls and loose tea leaves.
One standout is Gratitude (launch price of $58 until Sept 30, usual price $63). The ondeh ondeh-inspired tea promotes the value of noticing what is going well and using that awareness to shift one's outlook.
The tin has eight blooming tea balls made of lily and gomphrena, hand-sewn with cotton string to green tea leaves. When steeped in water, the tea ball unfurls into a floral display. The loose tea leaves are a blend of black Ceylon tea with mint, coconut bits and pandan extract.
Petale Tea's best-selling Gratitude is inspired by the flavour of ondeh ondeh.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Another tin is Growth (launch price of $58 until Sept 30, usual price $63), which stands for how personal growth happens gradually, just as how a tea bud slowly unfurls.
The tin has eight blooming tea balls in muscat and apple flavour, made with carnation and jasmine flowers, and green tea leaves. The loose tea leaves are a blend of muscat white tea, marigold and rose petals.
