Last Nov I went for a spa in Hill Street, City Hall area. Massage is okay, but I fancied more the service drink they give the customers before the session. It wasn't the usual tea, but rather a white suspension-like drink that is not too sweet. Somehow after drinking it, I felt relaxed. After the massage, I was given another cup again. I dont know whether if it just felt good drinking something hot after massage, or was it the ambience has contributed to the 'cooling' effect that this mysterious drink had on me. I looked for the masseuse and asked her what drink it is, she answered in Mandarin 'i-mi-cha', 'ba-li'. I smiled and said thank you, though deep inside I really wanted 'mangulit' about where can I buy those. Hehe I dont want to sound like a taga-bundok.
Days after I looked for this 'i-mi-cha' in groceries and chinese drug stores near my place, but to no avail. In Chinese, I just know 'i-mi' means some kind of grains, cha is tea. But I don't know what's the direct translation, what specific kind of grain. I didnt find any drink that is labelled 'i-mi' in those that I searched.
Good thing I also bought my friend a spa voucher who's scheduled to have her session after 3 weeks in the same spa salon. I didnt hold back and called my friend to ask the crew where to buy this mysterious drink, because I really couldnt find it. She was told that it should be available in groceries, the staff told her all the drinks that they serve are available here in SG.
So another attempt, I went to a big chinese drug store. Finally they do sell this drink, the attendant showed me several packs of this 'i-mi' drink. The label shows either 'Chinese barley' or 'Holland barley'. Finally I knew what this'i-mi' is in English. I was surprised to learn that it's just made of barley, I have tried cold lemon barley drinks in malls but I didnt find them spectacular. I even asked the staff if they sell other types of barley, 'Bali perhaps or Indonesian barley?', the staff shook her head saying she only knew 2 kinds. I was reluctant to buy it at first, because they only sell the unprocessed version --- meaning I have to boil the grains myself and add water and sugar. I was expecting something instant that I could just flush hot water into it. The staff looked nice, she told me maybe I can find instant barley drinks in NTUC which is just across their store, she also taught me how to prepare the drink. Because she was accommodating, I felt guilty walking out of the store empty-handed so I bought one of this Holland barley grain pack.
Yet indeed so true, in NTUC (big supermarket) they do have this instant barley drinks where you just have to pour hot water. Finally an answered question that has been bugging me for quite some time. Success! :p
As I walked out of the mall with those packs of barley drinks, I suddenly remembered and realized one thing. One BIG realization. After all these, it was really stupid of me not being able to connect the dots. The masseuse already told me what it is in the first place. It's 'ba-li'... My goodness, I forgot it's Singlish. 'Bali' is the same as 'barley'. Haha so nagpasikot-sikot pa ako for so long, ako pala ang SLOW hehe. Anyway, it was worth the effort. :)
Is 'Ba-Li' drink:) recommended?
- I am amazed why a hot drink can have cooling effect at the same time
- I find suspension drink as unique
- it's not too sweet, pag hndi matapang ang panlasa mo this suits you
- good for pasalubong, and it's not expensive
P.S. I recently went for a haircut and was surprised to be served another mysterious drink again. (Seems like SG shops treat their customers generously with nice hot drinks hehe) I've heard about processed dried flowers because it's quite popular here among the locals, but havent really had the chance to taste it since I find it a bit weird or unhygienic. This time in the salon, I saw some dried rose buds floating on my cup, the flowers look clean and drink looks appetizing though. It's served hot and the color is a bit light yellow. The taste is also good, accented with rose flavor. I've discovered a store in Toa Payoh that sells this dried flower drink, mostly chrysanthemum and roses. I'm sure my mom will be glad when I bring these 'mysterious drinks' home hehe.
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