TenRen Tea Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
4/5
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ErikDuemig rated this place
4/5
and said Edit

Building off of what Rob said, this place is (to my knowledge) the best place to buy high-quality teas in the downtown area. It’s selection is definitely wide enough for the common tea enthusiast, and thus far, I haven’t been disappointed with any of the teas I’ve tried from them.

So far, I’ve tried some Bi Lo Chun, a loose Pu Er, and a selection known as Kings Tea (a jade oolong with a ginseng glaze).

The Bi Lo Chun is top quality, though it can be temperamental. If brewed correctly, it gives a lovely sweet green-tea taste that’s strong, but not too astringent. The Pu Er was decent—a solid tea, but nothing to write home about.

I bought the kings tea off of a recommendation from the manager (an older, polite chinese lady whom I assume is also the owner or part-owner), and was pleasantly surprised. This tea, I found, is a great after-dinner tea. It gives all the satisfaction of a good oxidized oolong (nice and roasty), but the ginseng glaze leaves a film of sugary sweetness on your tongue and throat, which will stay long after you’re done drinking.

Jade Leaves Tea House in Austin, Texas
5/5
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ErikDuemig rated this place
5/5
and said Edit

Unfortunately this place closed down, but while it was in business, this place had the best tea in the Austin area, hands down. A wide selection of all kinds of tea, almost entirely top-grade, whole-leaf tea.

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