In my perfect world, I will be surrounded by a lot of teapots and kettles of varying shapes and sizes. There will be steaming hot cups of tea in different flavors waiting to be tasted. Tea strainers, tea pots, tea cosies and the intoxicating smell of the dark brew everywhere.

When I chanced upon TPot on Petercelli street one afternoon as I was wandering around aimlessly, I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn’t walked into a dream or a scene out of Alice in Wonderland.

The afternoon light filtered through the high windows on the wall, creating some cosy corners and giving the whole place an interesting effect. Inside, there was a yellow orange light that lit up the teapots and kettles all around. They were everywhere : on the walls, on the cabinet, some even hung from the ceiling.

I found myself a cosy corner and settled in for my tea. After tucking into some fish curry and fluffy appams, I had a chat with the owner Sanjai who was sitting inside.

Collecting tea memorabilia took him a few months (my mom thought I had lost it, he reminisced). A lot of the things : tea cosies, strainers, pots, kettles – around have been sourced from Jew Town and a few other areas where he would go and forage the old markets for interesting things. On the wall, are photographs, also around the tea theme.

Sanjai admits to me that he’s never been much of a tea person. It’s just an idea that took wings and a few months later, along with the able help of a partner, he had a full-fledged “tea room” open to the public. The interiors of TPot has been designed in a rustic theme and evokes a kind of old world charm. Including the tables, which have been put together using the boards that come out of tea chests. Even the chairs are slightly ancient looking, but rather comfortable. In the main seating area is a big table that is supported by a huge tea bush. In case you want to throw a big tea party.

In TPot, besides tea you can also get coffee (surprise!) and some food in case you’re hungry. And since the place is open from morning till evening, you can have any of your meals here. I take a walk up to the “attic” area which has a view of the downstairs section from amidst more tea kettles. Here, you can settle down with a book or just spend some quiet time by yourself.

My mustard flavored fish and fluffy appams (pancakes made of rice flour and coconut) is rather delicious and I wash it down with another cup of tea. Of course, I am totally charmed by the place and come back several times during my 3-day stay in Fort Cochin. I especially love the quiet no nonsense ambience of the place. I’m sure you will too if you happen to step into the place.

If you’re roaming around Fort Cochin, you know who told you about the TPot.
There’s more:
The Teapot Album