I was kind of looking for a Taiwanese tea shop after my Taiwanese friends introduced me their tea ceremony but honestly I didn’t think I could get the same thing in Japan until I went here. At this tea place, you can enjoy good tea, sweets and Taiwanese culture all at the same time. They will tell you where their tea came from and how to enjoy it. It was a great experience and I will definitely go back when I’m nearby.

A lovely shop with Taiwanese teas!

I was asked to help with an event at work serving Chinese tea, and though I knew about oolong, I knew nothing about the etiquette, so I visited partly as research. It was a very lovely shop. The décor of Taiwan-related shops is flashy but cute, isn't it? This one also had a cute interior that felt truly “Taiwan.” But the tables were spaced generously, so I could enjoy tea and food calmly and leisurely. When I was shown to my seat, someone who seemed to be the manager asked why I'd come and what I liked. When I said I was a beginner, they explained Taiwanese tea very carefully and clearly. I was surprised by how many kinds of tea there are, and it was completely different from the oolong I knew. The one I had was “High Mountain Oolong Lengxiang,” and first I was surprised that it was a green tea; then the gorgeous aroma, how the taste and aroma change between the first and second infusions, and how truly robust the flavor was taught me that it's a different world from Japanese tea. They brewed the first infusion while carefully explaining how to brew it, and I got to experience how to enjoy Chinese tea, including the teaware, with excitement. For food I had the afternoon tea set (light meals and sweets). It was made very carefully, cute and beautiful to look at, and also very delicious. Thanks to this unexpected surprise, I'm about to get completely hooked on the world of Chinese tea. The work event ended successfully, so I'd like to go back to report, say thanks, and try a different tea. Saying that once you're truly hooked it's as deep as wine may not be an exaggeration.

The owner taught me everything from where the tea leaves are grown to the differences in each one's taste, and with their warm hospitality I could enjoy myself without feeling awkward even alone. I'd had Taiwanese tea a few times, but this was my first time having it with the traditional method. Enjoying the aroma left in the cup, feeling the flavor change, there was a lot to learn. The interior and decorations were carefully thought out and lovely. The tiny teacups are cute and photogenic too♪ I also got a tea-leaf tour stamp card, so I'd like to try various teas and find my favorite cup (*^^*)

That day, since every time I passed by I'd been curious about a cute-looking building among the houses, I worked up the nerve to drop in alone at 桜樺苑, a Taiwanese tea place, at lunchtime! The attention to detail and unified look inside were so authentic it surprised me. When you order, the staff give you a thorough lesson on how to drink Taiwanese tea, from how to pour the hot water to where the tea leaves come from. That day, from among the many kinds of Taiwanese tea, I ordered: High Mountain Oolong Lengxiang　1300 yen Taiwanese-style light meal set　900 yen Total　2200 yen Using the method I was taught, I enjoyed about 4 infusions while savoring the changes in aroma and flavor. The light meal set came with small portions of caozaiguo, turnip cake, and Taiwanese-style sticky rice, which were also cute and delicious. Having deep Taiwanese tea for the first time, I felt I want to go several more times and learn more! If you're curious about Taiwanese tea or want to experience the cute world of Taiwan, please give it a try!