OldTown White Coffee @ Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

They started off as only a mere coffee shop in Ipoh. As the business is passed on to the younger generation, the brand of Old Town White Coffee just keep on growing. Not only that their product of white coffee is getting so popular in the supermarkets, you will also notice that Old Town White Coffee is blooming out like a mushroom all over the place in Malaysia.

Operating in a franchise manner, every OldTown White Coffee shop offers the same signature drinks and food. Each of the shop are designed alike too, resembling the old-fashioned coffee shop layout but with a modern twist; air-conditioned and the availability of free Wi-Fi connectivity.

OldTown White Coffee in Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

Recently, I was at Central Market accompanying my cousins, Judy Jie Jie and Jin Sern to shop for souvenirs for their friends abroad. Not being home for more than 6 years, Judy Jie Jie just can't had enough of Malaysian food, she decided to had the tea time at Old Town White Coffee in Central Market.

Hot White Coffee (RM 3.50)
The signature drink of Old Town White Coffee. The coffee tasted decent to me, but I find it slightly on the sweet side with less coffee aroma.

Hot White Coffee Gao (RM 3.50)
I'd definitely prefer this. The sweetness is just great, blending well with the richer coffee aroma.

Here are some of the their signature food that we ordered.

OldTown Rendang Chicken Rice (RM 10.50)
One of a local delight, the rice is being served with sambal, cucumber, papadam (fried chips) and a piece of rendang chicken. Similar to nasi lemak, a greatness of this local delight is determined by the taste of the sambal and rendang gravy. The sambal here were thick and were cooked with a decent amount of anchovies and shallots. Coupled with the flavourful and aromatic Rendang chicken, it has to be one of a better Rendang chicken rice that you can find around.

Supreme Nasi Lemak (RM 10.90)
It comes with a decent piece of curry chicken and a small portion of sambal sotong. While the sambal sotong was decent, the curry chicken however was lacking in flavour. Fortunately, the sambal taste were of the same like the one in rendang chicken rice.

Curry Potato Paratha (RM 5.50 per set with a hot drink)

Also known as roti canai. Nothing great and given a choice, I would prefer the one served in mamak anytime. The dhal (gravy) were disappointing too-very diluted.

My both cousins enjoyed the food and drinks here a lot which is not surprising as they are abroad most of the time. Certainly, OldTown White Coffee did offer decent local delights with a better ambiance than of a conventional coffee shop. Minus the pricier price tag, OldTown White Coffee is an ideal place for a yumcha(drinking tea) session with your buddies.

Hot White Coffee: 5/10
Hot White Coffee Gao: 6/10
Oldtown Rendang Chicken Rice: 6.5/10
Supreme Nasi Lemak: 5/10
Curry Potato Paratha: 4/10

Atmosphere: 5.5/10
Price: 4.5/10
Verdict: Their hits are certainly the White Coffee, Nasi Rendang and Nasi Lemak.

Oldtown White Coffee Central Market
No. F & B 1,
Ground Floor, Central Market
Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50050
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 - 2260 6000
Business hours: 8 am - 9 pm daily
http://www.oldtown.com.my/

Bharat Cameron Valley Tea Plantation @ Ringlet, Cameron Highlands

Cameron Highlands Boh's Plantation may be more well known among the people. Only the locals and a handful of people know about the Bharat Cameron Valley Teas.

If you take the old winding road to Cameron Highlands via Tapah, you will notice that there is a huge tea plantation on your left side along the main road. At this time you know that you are reaching Cameron Higlands but not all know that the tea plantation is actually the Bharat Cameron Valley tea plantion.

Bharat Cameroon Valley Tea Plantation

Bharat also operates a tea house in the name of Cameron Valley Tea House which offers Cameron Valley teas to those who are seeking some refreshments after a winding journey up or before heading down.

Bharat Cameron Valley Tea House

This Cameron Valley Tea House is a popular stopover for tourist due to the excellent view of the Bharat Tea Plantation. Not only that, it is way easier to access here as it is just located at the trunk main road of Cameron Highlands as oppose to the narrow bending road heading to Boh Sungei Palas Tea House.

Popular spot for a stopover

Panoramic view of Bharat Cameron Valley Tea Plantation

You will tend to forget about the hustle and bustle of a city life thanks to the soothing view of the green sea tea plantation and the smell of the fresh air.

Green sea of tea plantation

After you had enough of admiration at the tea plantation, maybe it is just time to grab some tea at the counter. It's a self service though, and you have to carry your own tea back to your table.

Self service counter

Can you finish a cup of tea at this size?

I would love to have a English breakfast style by having some scones. However, I had to hold back after getting to know the price of a scone set.

Cameron Valley Tea House Scones
Man, you kid me not? RM 12 for a set, this is definitely a daylight robbery!

Disappointed at the price of the scones, we ordered something else.

Chocolate Cream Cake (RM 8 per slice)
A pretty small slice of a chocolate cake that is topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Fortunately, it was a quality chocolate cake that comes with a thick infusion of chocolate.

Strawberry Cheese Cake (RM 6.50 per slice)
Just a very ordinary cheese cake with a coating of strawberry jam. Nothing to shout about.

Cameron Valley Black Tea (RM 4 per mug)
It was thick, rich and full with the fragrant of black tea. Try sipping it without sugar to enjoy the real kick of black tea.

Do continue to pamper your eyes by viewing the spectacular soothing sight of the Bharat Cameron Valley tea plantation.

The calmness of the valley of tea

When the cloud shed the sunlight

From the verandah of the tea house, you can notice that the tea plantation is accessible to the public.

Accessible to the public

Most of the people will get themselves closer to the tea plantation after their tea break. Perhaps, it's a good idea to follow suit to capture some pictures as memory.

Steps heading down to the tea valley

The staircase will only lead you to the front valley of the tea. You can pick a less crowded spot for some shots of pictures. However, do exercise caution as certain stretches of the valley terrain can be very steep and slippery.

More and more tea

Let's pluck some tea leaves

Drown in the sea of tea

Old time buddy at Bharat Tea Plantation

This Bharat Tea Plantation offers an alternative option for those who dislikes driving on the narrow road to Boh Sungei Palas Tea Plantation. You will understand and feel the term of holiday better when you sip on a cup of teh tarik here while enjoying the breathtaking view of tea plantation. Just awesome!

Do make sure you grab some Bharat Cameron Valley tea products be it for yourself or as a gift because up til now, it can only be purchased in Cameron Highlands, making it more exclusive than of the Boh tea products.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Tea: 7/10
Food: 5.5/10
Price: 5/10
Verdict: You will not want to miss out their teh tarik if you are a fan of one.

Bharat Cameron Valley Tea House
Along the Main Road between Ringlet and Tanah Rata
Ringlet, Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia
Tel: 605 - 491 1133
Website: http://bharattea.com.my/bharat2/

Sungei Palas Boh Tea Centre @ Cameron Higlands, Pahang

Boh Plantations is the largest black tea manufacturer in Malaysia, boasting some of the largest tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands with plantations in Habu, Fairlie Tea Garden and Sungai Palas.

Amongst all the plantations in Cameron Highlands, Boh Tea Centre in Sungai Palas is the plantation most visited by the tourists. This is simply because not only it does offers the tourist a chance to visit the tea factory, but it has a cafe where tourists can enjoy a cup of tea with a panoramic view of the lush green tea plantation.

Boh Tea Centre Sungai Palas, Cameron Highlands

Panoramic view of the tea centre

This tea centre can be very packed especially during the weekends and holidays. At times you got to be a little patient to get a table and your cup of tea.

Crowded during the holidays

Cakes and tarts

Tea time in an English way

The best spot to enjoy the tea would be at the verandah of the tea centre, overseeing the lush green tea plantation. It's really down to the luck though on how quick you can get a table here.

At the verandah

We definitely enjoy sipping some of the Boh Tea here.

Cameronian Gold Blend Full Set (RM 4 per person)

Cameronian Gold Blend
Although I'm not really into tea, but this tea definitely has the uummph with a very thick and a strong taste of a black tea.

If you are fan of flavoured teas, do check out their Seri Songket flavoured teas series.

Lychee with Rose Tea (RM 3 per teabag)
I tasted more rose fragrant than the lychee fragrant. Nonetheless, the flavour blends well and tasted even better with a pinch of sugar.

Passion Fruit Tea (RM 3 per teabag)

Not my cup of tea. I'm still not very passionate about the taste of passion fruit.

Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Infusion (RM 3 per teabag)
It was a sweet scent and it tasted sexy. Those dislike strawberries might find them scented a little like antibiotic syrup though.

Strawberry Cake (RM 6 per slice)
At it's price, I could definitely get better cakes elsewhere.

Chocolate Chips (RM 4.50 per bag of 4 slices)
I had hard time tasting any chocolate chips in the cookies. Given a choice, I will definitely choose Chipsmore anytime.

Keith was too into the tea

Please take note

Here are some of the panoramic view offered at the verandah tea centre.

An eye soothing view

Can you spot the dried up slot?

The blanket of tea

It's sunny!

After some tea, you can opt to pay a visit to their walkway leading to the tea factory.

Some information boards will greet you along

We need some shed

On my way to the factory, I bumped to some flowers which caught my attention.

Red wild flower

Yellow wild flower

Fact Sheet, 820k cups of tea per day!

The entrance to the tea factory

At here, you can witness some of the process going on to produce a teabag.

Processing the tea leaves

View of the unique walkway from outside

The verandah need my support!

When Chee is busy taking pictures

Says what?

The crew for our Cameron Highlands 2010

I still enjoy sipping some tea at this place very much though I've already been a few times. The tea was good, but as for me, the best was still the breathtaking view of the lush green tea plantation. Definitely not a place to miss out should you be in Cameron Highlands!

Atmosphere: 7/10
Tea: 7/10
Food: 4.5/10
Price: 5/10
Verdict: The tea somewhat tasted nicer thanks to the ambiance of the place. Food however are rather forgettable.

Sungei Palas Tea Centre
Jalan Gunung Brinchang
Brinchang, Cameron Highlands
Pahang
Malaysia
Tel: 605 - 496 2096
Business hours: 9am - 4.30pm daily. Closes on Monday.
Website: http://www.boh.com.my/