Tea lovers in Richmond can add one more choice to their collections now. A new Chinese teahouse opens its doors on Friday in south Richmond to introduce a legendary Chinese tea with more than 100 years of history.
Zhang Tao, the founder of the teahouse, said it is the first time the iconic Xiaguan Tuocha tea has been introduced to North America.
“It is well-known for the long history of the processing method and the unique taste. The tea leaves were carefully picked and cured, and were compressed into bricks, which make the aroma and taste very different from others,” he said.
The tea is named after Xiaguan, a small town in the southwest of China that has been recognized as an ideal location for tea processing.
“It’s hard to describe, like a sense of smoke,” Tao said of the tea’s flavour.
Tao became a big fan and collector of tea in 1998 after being introduced by a friend. Since then, he has collected hundreds of different kinds of tea and loves to share them with other tea lovers.
“It is every tea collector’s dream to have a teahouse to showcase his collections and make friends through tea,” Tao said.
His dream has come true eight years after moving here from China.
The Idler’s Teahouse, at 6111 London Road, provides a variety of tea which he has collected over the years, including one that has been reserved for more than 80 years.
For some teas, the flavour gets better over time.
Tao also brought delicate tea utensils from China and decorated the tea room with green plants and artwork. For him, the atmosphere is just as important as the tea for a satisfying sipping experience.
Unlike other business owners, Tao doesn’t see the teahouse as a way to make a profit. He hasn’t even decided how to charge his guests. It’s more like a place for him to meet with people and share the Chinese tea culture, a culture he has grown to love so much over the decades.
“There is a lot of philosophy in tea that has taught me a lot. For example, good tea remains the same from beginning to the end; if someone can remain the same no matter how life treats him, he is respectable.”
Tao said nowadays the pace of life is fast and fewer people like to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea. He hopes his teahouse can be a place where people can take their time and have a moment of peace.
“Everyone is welcome to walk in. I will serve you tea and bring you to the culture. After that, you will be more ready for your work and life.”
