It was a brilliant event organised by the team at Bolt public relations. How do you get journalists engaged in a company adding a new line to the products they offer? Adding candles? Well, for me, it was easy - the Romance of Travel. I'm hooked. A company with an intriguing history - I'm in. I was already aware of 1872 Clipper Tea Co. - they lay on some quality tea.  From Sri Lanka - call it Ceylon if you wish.

Send me a Passport. Passports are an iconic symbol of the Romance of Travel. Give me cocktails - everyone gives me cocktails or craft beer or single malts - but not everyone names them Love in Paris, Singapore Sunrise, London Carrousel. With the haze we've been experiencing I'd call the sunrise the Big Smoke and London Carrousel was appropriately named because it made your head spin. Love in Paris - we all need love wherever we can find it.

About The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.

In 1872, a young man named Balage Porolis de Silva embarked on a journey into the world of luxury. He set up a jewellery boutique along High Street, Singapore, presenting not only the finest gems, but also serving the best Ceylon tea to his customers. Hailing from Sri Lanka where having tea is a daily ritual for relaxation and enjoyment, he wanted to enhance his customers’ appreciation of jewellery with tea.

Gradually, the B.P. de Silva brand name grew in reputation and became synonymous with artistry and craftsmanship. The family continues to extend the very same values and philosophy of fine jewellery into tea, elevating tea beyond a simple beverage to a premium gift. This led to the creation of The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., whose name pays tribute to the historic Clipper ships that raced to carry chests of the freshest teas to all corners of the world, at the same time acknowledging the year we planted our roots in Singapore. Today, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. blends are widely appreciated for its consistency in quality, signature aroma and refined taste.

So I was looking for a tissue to wipe my hands and I passed Rehan Amarasuriya who gave me the look and I stiffed him. How could I shake the Director's hand when it needed wiping? I did it quickly and made an u-turn and made apologies. He stiffed me. No he did not. He is much too nice. We had a pleasant chat about Sri Lanka, about tea and about his new lines of candles. "We are going to add a new standalone store to sell our products. At the moment we are in other shops. And when we can find the right location we will open a cafe where we can showcase our tea."

Brilliant. Look for the new shop in Raffles City on the lower level.

Make a Candle

I was enthralled with the idea of making my very own candle. I've never done that. Cherylynne Clews, Managing Director of To Be Calm, introduced me to the wax scents and then to the aromatic oils. We were to combine the wax and the oil. I picked Southern Summer - the smell of freshly cut grass, with an oil that was quite strong with ginger and more. I thought they might clash so I asked Cherylynne what she thought.

"I tested these earlier and I really liked that combination. I am going to make it a commercial candle.

Make a Tea

Adorable. Mix your own tea. Under the guidance of Jacintha Chia and her team, I was showed a variety of teas: chamomile, bergamot, passion fruit, black and green tea and told I could mix whichever I pleased. I passed on the chamomile, I don't like it, and loaded up on the others.

What an arsenal I had - a special aromatic candle, a tea the gods would have lusted after. My love didn't stand a chance - she was mine.

The Romance Of Travel

Relive your most amorous travel tales with 1872 Clipper Tea Co.’s enchanting

collection of tea scented candles. They say the best things in life are the people you love, the places you’ve seen and the memories you’ve made along the way. When all these three elements come together, they create an incredible and unforgettable journey. Remember the time you took their hand in yours and los t yourselves in the romance of discovering an unknown city?

Melding The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.’s refreshing tea blends and the expertise of local

perfumery To Be Calm, the Romance of Travel collection is an ode to those precious

memories. A delicate set of three tea-scented candles, each fragrance is inspired by the three cities of Sing apore, Paris and London – a part of e very true traveller’s itinerary.

The Romance of Travel

The perfect gift to yourself and the one you love. Let the subtle glow and rich scents of these charming candles guide you back to the best travel tales you’ve shared.

Taking the time to sip and smell a favourite tea is one of life’s simple pleasures that helps a busy urbanite unwind and be in tune with one’s senses. Sparking the beginning of 1872 Clipper Tea Co. as a brand that extends far beyond the tastebuds, exquisite scents have been created with tea-based notes such as chamomile, bergamot, passion fruit, black and green tea – each combination representative of a different kind of love story. Whether you’re looking for a morning perk-me-up, or simply seeking respite from a long day at work, these scents are a treat to the olfactory, rejuvenating your soul while igniting the wanderlust in you.

Singapore Sunrise

Like the adrenaline rush of your first love, this blend of passion fruit, mango and refreshing green tea is sure to make your heart beat faster. Pulsating with the vibrancy of this fast-paced city, this scent will remind you once again of the greatest adventure in life – falling in love. The fragrance of green tea is also known for its healing effects and revitalising freshness.

Love in Paris

A sultry blend of roses and chamomile, this scent evokes the ultimate rendezvous. Evocative of the city where some of the greatest love stories were spun, Midnight in Paris is sure to remind you of your greatest romantic escapades. The subtle, sweet

fragrance of delicate chamomile also relaxes both mind and body to ease away the tensions of the day.

London Carousel

Sweet, classy and elegant – this scent is combination of caramel & cream, black tea and bergamot. Whiffs of this will take you to a place between the childlike innocence and dignified strength of true love. Lighting banked fires, keeping you warm in the chilly London rain. A trending ingredient in perfumery, black tea is a slightly smoky, exotic note; perfectly complementing the spicy-floral scent of bergamot — the key ingredient of Earl Grey tea that that calms and soothes.

1872 Clipper Tea is available at:

Tangs Orchard, Basement 1

Robinsons The Heeren, Basement 1

Gardens by the B ay gift shops

Singapore Botanic Gardens gift sho ps

Night Safari Village Craft 

w. clippertea.com.sg

f. facebook.com/1872ClipperTea

i. instagram.com/1872ClipperTea