It’s Herbs Sense at REXKL
Under the sweltering Malaysian heat, a new drink shop at REXKL offers a refreshing refuge with handcrafted teas inspired by traditional Chinese medicine: It’s Herbs Sense. The latest tea-based concept store in Kuala Lumpur, operated by the well-known TCM brand It’s Herbs, crafts drinks inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.
Here, customers can cool down from the heat while sipping on drinks that not only quench thirst but also carry the soothing qualities of herbal ingredients, which the younger and more modern crowd can appreciate.
TCM meets creative tea blends
When you enter REXKL, you’ll spot It’s Herbs Sense on your right, by the entrance.
Framed by floor-to-ceiling glass panels outlined in bold red, the shop is compact yet stylish, with an interior that blends concrete walls and minimalist furnishings. Those looking to linger in the space a little longer can find a handful of seats for a quick sit-down. The store also offers in-house TCM treatments at the back of the shop, making these services accessible to people in the area, and introducing tourists to the practices and benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.
An open brewing counter takes centre stage, welcoming customers to watch how drinks are prepared, adding a sense of transparency and craft to the experience. Each cup is made upon order by the baristas, who expertly slow-brew the herbal teas to draw out the utmost fragrance, and deftly whip up delicate foam to be poured over the signature craft drinks.
The baristas highly recommend their Signature Crafts (RM18). These drinks are creative concoctions that combine different herbs and unexpected ingredients with teapresso. These combinations may not be typically found together, but at It’s Herbs Sense, experimentation is part of the charm.
Besides the Signature Crafts, they also offer a wide range of herbal beverages, including tea-inspired herbal draughts, traditional herbal drinks and a variety of tea-based options.
What to order at It’s Herbs Sense
Pepper Drama
Green pepper, pineapple, lemon, and jasmine tea being mixed into a drink doesn’t exactly sound palatable at first. The greenish colour of the drink that was served to us did not do much to convince us either. But Pepper Drama, priced at RM18, turned out surprisingly tasty.
True to its name, the drama unfolds when you take your first sip. The subtle kick from the green pepper blends with the slight sweetness of pineapple, creating an unexpectedly balanced flavour. The froth that sits on top of the drink is made from their jasmine tea, adding a light floral aroma with every sip.
The slice of pineapple on top is edible, too. According to the barista, many customers assume that it is a decorative garnish not meant to be consumed, but it should be eaten alongside sips of the drink for an extra burst of sweetness.
Overall, the flavour profile was unlike anything we’ve tried before. The green pepper isn’t overpowering, but instead, adds a unique twist that tastes somewhat bizarre at first, but ends up settling nicely with the rest of the flavour going on.
Hanka Punch
The next signature craft drink we tried was their Hanka Punch, also priced at RM18. This drink features a blend of luo han guo, chrysanthemum, liquorice, teapresso, and dried lemon slices.
The herbal sweetness from the Luo Han Guo hits first, followed by a light tangy aftertaste from the lemon slices crushed into the drink – think fizzy herbal soda with a slight bitterness.
It’s definitely an adventurous drink, and while we were sceptical about the combination of carbonated liquid and Chinese herbs, the flavours work surprisingly well together. The fizziness felt almost like drinking Coca-Cola, but with a healthier twist. That said, it may not be something that everyone may immediately gravitate towards.
Yang
From their Teapresso series, there’s the Yang, priced at RM14. It’s a simple combination of tea and milk, with froth from the teapresso that might make you mistake it for coffee. But there are no coffee elements in any drink at this store.
Reminiscent of your typical cup of milk tea that you can easily enjoy, this one is a safe option. What stands out is their reduced sugar level, so you don’t have to worry about the drink being overly sweet or feeling guilty about finishing the whole cup.
Herbal Drink
We wrapped up with a warm cup of Herbal Tea, going back to the roots of TCM. Priced at RM10, you can choose between hot or cold, but we went for the hot option, as it is usually the best way to enjoy a herbal drink and experience its effects faster.
As the herbal tea is brewed daily, the type of herbal tea served is different each day. On the day we went, it was Luo Han Guo, and it relieved the “heatiness” we felt within as we went about our day.
Relieve heatiness at It’s Herbs Sense in KL
The drinks from It’s Herbs Sense not only quench your thirst. They bring your taste buds on a little adventure.
This relatively new concept of tea fusion drinks at It’s Herb Sense offers something different from the usual cafe beverages, blending flavours in a way that feels intriguing and refreshing. So consider this place if you’re looking to give your body the herbal health it deserves, with some beverages that are a delight to drink up.
Address: Ground Floor, REXKL, 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9.30am-7.30pm, Daily
Contact: It’s Herbs Sense Instagram
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Ming-Xuan.