Balasore: Every town has its own popular restaurants, fast food centres and tea stalls. In Balasore town, the town denizens’ favourite haunt is Manu Bhai’s tea stall.
The tea stall’s claim to fame is its herbal tea.
Situated near the Fakir Mohan roundabout in the town, Manu Bhai’s tea stall has been here since 1984. The tiny tea joint experiences hundreds of footfalls every day of the week.
A 68 year old, Muna Bhai says he adds ginger, cinnamon powder, small cardamom powder, clove powder, black pepper powder, bay leaf, molasses, lemon juice, honey, rock salt, raw turmeric, basil leaves, Shunthi, Pippali, Juani, Ashwagandha and Muesli in their proper proportion to the tea.
Manoranjan Das, who is fondly known as Manu Bhai, is a native of Simulia. In search of livelihood, he along with his family shifted to Balasore town in 1984. Then he put up a tea stall near the Fakir Mohan roundabout.
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, he was selling milk tea and snacks. The pandemic induced lockdowns and shutdowns hit him hard.
“As the restrictions were lifted and shops were allowed to open, I opened my tea stall. But I could not get customers for milk tea. I noticed people demanding for red tea. Then the idea of selling herbal tea occurred to my mind,” said Manu Bhai.
In order to save his business, he went through several Ayurvedic books and collected some roots and herbs. “Adding these Ayurvedic ingredients in their proper portions, I prepared Ayurvedic tea. And people started liking my tea,” he admitted.
He said he is selling over 200 cups of tea a day, with a cup of tea selling at Rs 5. He opens his stall at 7:00 am and keeps it open till 10:00 pm. “Whatever I am earning toady is enough to meet my family expenses,” he said with a smile, suggesting his satisfaction.
PNN