Nature & Nashta – A Hidden Gem
Discover the hidden charm of Nature & Nashta in Boral, where tea meets tales. Join the author on a serendipitous journey to Ipshita Sengupta‘s delightful café, a perfect blend of vintage décor, top-notch brews, and an inspiring story behind its inception.
Who knew I will find Nature & Nashta – a hidden gem this way?
It was one of those Sundays where you fancy a lazy drive, no particular destination in mind, just the road and a bit of whimsy to guide you. I was lodging at my Boromashi’s house in Garia and decided, as the evening set in, to steer towards Boral—the very lanes where Satyajit Ray filmed Pather Panchali. Of course, time’s had its way with the place, and much of it has changed beyond recognition, but the drive itself was a treat, like flipping through an old photo album with missing pages.
Soon enough, the craving for a proper cuppa hit me—good tea, mind you, not the watery excuses often passed off as such. But as I looked around I found not a single tea stall. Cursing my fate, I continued driving until I reached Rakhiter More where a signboard caught my attention: ‘Nature & Nashta’ . I was intrigued and checked once again and to my delight found that they serve tea and coffee.
As I went inside I found a charming young lady at the counter. As I started a conversation I realized she was the owner of the outlet. Well the tea was amazing, at Nature & Nashta, but what piqued my interest more was the décor. The walls were covered with burnished newspapers, giving them a vintage yet stylish look. The lanterns were made with bamboo baskets, adorned with hand-stitched cloth.
Continuing my discussion I soon realized that this story had more to it. I ordered for another cup of tea.
“Your place is absolutely beautiful I must confess, I haven’t had such beautiful tea in any shop in town. Could I trouble you for another cup?” I said, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“Oh, thank you so much!” she replied, a delightful blush creeping up her cheeks. “You just had a Darjeeling first flush. Would you like me to bring you the same again, or fancy trying something different?”
“Well, I’m a devout follower of the holy grail of Darjeeling tea,” I quipped, “but out of sheer curiosity, what else do you have on offer?”
Her eyes lit up as she began to list the options, “Oh, quite a few! There’s the regular cha, ginger tea, masala cha, black tea, black tea with ginger, lemon tea, green tea, tulsi tea, turmeric tea with honey… and coffee, of course.”
I held up a hand to stop her mid-flow. “Say no more. I’ll stick to my first flush, thank you very much. So, tell me, how long has this lovely little spot been open?”
“Roughly three months,” she replied.
“And before this?”
“Well, I did my master’s in History but didn’t venture into academics. Instead, I worked as a PRO for a few organisations and later dabbled in their social media marketing. But then…”
Our chat was interrupted by the arrival of another tea enthusiast. After attending to them, she picked up where she’d left off. “But then I fell ill and began to lose my sight.”
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry to hear that,” I said, a touch awkwardly.
“Don’t be,” she smiled. “It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave me the nudge I needed to start something I’d always dreamed of.”
“Do tell,” I encouraged, intrigued.
“It was my sister who suggested I start something food-related since I love cooking. That’s how I opened this place.”
“Well, that’s what I’d call a ‘never say die’ attitude,” I said, genuinely impressed. “You know, I’m chuffed I stumbled upon this place. What’s brilliant is how different it is from the run-of-the-mill cafés with their glitzy décor but lacklustre food and beverages. Here, not only is the tea top-notch, but there’s also this wonderful vibe—a proper adda spot where strangers can natter for hours.”
Rising from my seat, I asked, “By the way, what’s your name?”
“Ipshita. Ipshita Sengupta.”
So, next time you find yourself meandering down the lanes of Boral, do yourself a favour and visit Nature & Nashta, Ipshita’s charming little haven. I promise you, it’ll be an experience you won’t soon forget.
To visit Nature & Nashta’s Facebook page click HERE.
To find the location in Google Maps click HERE.
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