While I do not frequent the shop, I have been a couple times. I feel adequate in my critique, that this shop gets the lowest ranking out of the three shops. It even furthers, a frowny face. :(
I think one of the biggest problems this shop has faced is its location. Located across from the Odeon theater, on Lothian road, it is in the middle of the pubic triangle. I.e. where the highest concentration of sex shops is in Edinburgh. Arguable this gives them a special niche for strippers wanting their cupa, however I did not view any in my times there.
However while it is easy to criticize, it is harder to create, and I will say that I am impressed by the local artists, and by the knitters that have been there every time I have. Senses of community are hard to come by, and for them, it embodies a good Scottish/Edinburgh vibe.
Two more factors that added to its poor grade, were small tea pots, and the poorest selection. The selection on the menu was very poor, and even mis-located teas. This lack of knowledge on tea will be discussed further on. However the tea pot size is a disgrace. One of their teapots, which they charge quite high for (aim around 3 pounds) will fill about a mug. Maybe the mugs I am use to are quite big, but you could only fill your tea-cup twice, making it one of the most expensive per cup teas around. Its selection was further very poor, the poorest out of the three, and while the other two shops I will actually have to count the number of teas (and it will number above 30, here I doubt it will number above 15.)
Another issue, that does not really bother me, but may bother other people, is the serving of coffee. While some warn that coffee ruins the smell and flavour of teas, I think in this café it is perfectly fine for two reasons. 1.) They lack any truly delicate teas 2.) They serve food, which gives it more of a café vibe, which coffee is a necessity in a café.
The last point was perhaps the most shocking to me. And perhaps I should issue a disclaimer first….
** Any views expressed in here are the subject of me, the writer, not that of any organization or company I work for **
Perhaps I should also give a brief explanation about me? I do love teas. I love all teas. I do have a much stronger affinity for loose leaf (and then for oolongs), but I will drink all tea. I am in fact currently drinking a tea bag tea, Irish Brew, that I stole from a Hotel when I was in Dublin. Point being, I am quite a tea-snob, but will “suck it up” and try to appreciate all teas.
That being said, Tie Guan Yin (Guan not Quan) is a tea that originates from China. That’s how it got its name. That’s where it originates from. That is probably where you got the tea from. While I do recognize that Taiwan also grows this tea, probability states that you will be getting it from China, so please do not classify all your Oolongs under Taiwan.
Another point of distress, and will allow for me to be remembered thus I hesitate to write about it on here, (but I doubt anyone actually reads this), is when you are out of Keemun. A nice tea, that sometimes has a hint of Orchids in it (or I at least think I can taste them). Do not suggest Russian Caravan to me. Informing me, the “stupid” customer that they are both very similar. No. no.
Two other points that acted against Tea Tree Tea, was the first time I went, I received an over-steeped Sencha (and those that know me, know that I never take my tea out of the pot). This seems to be a re-occurring theme in other shops, Eteaket is also guilty to a lesser degree. Anteaques never, however they do weight each tea before putting it in the pot, something no other shop I could see did.
However one point that is worth mentioned, and should be realized as it has acted as a point of bias, was an instance, not too long ago, when a certain Edinburgh University society, Bedlam, held a tea tasting to raise funds for their Alice in Wonderland, they hired Tea Tree Tea to put on the tea tasting. They forgot. Even though Bedlam had called earlier that day. I was attending the event so can issue all of this on a first hand basis, but Bedlam was then required to make a mad-dash to Tesco where they purchased every twinning tea bag they could. I called a friend, and they furthered the small selection by bringing some of her own. Regardless, the poor student that didn’t know much about teas, was required to do a tea-tasting using the information on the back of the boxes, and from information she had read 10 minutes before on the internet.
This has acted as a bias on a lot of students, my friend who was at the tea tasting with me, has a very grim view of them, and I too would have a grim view too, but I try to give second chances.
And second chances held through, I made a booking recently, over the internet, and they honored it, even when less people came (though they hadn’t set up tables for us, it was just 4 people in the entire shop).
Regardless Tea Tree Tea is a decent enough shop. If I had found a shop like this back home, I would probably have frequented it. However the stakes are higher, and Eteaket and Anteaques push the bar to a level that makes Tea Tree Tea look like it isn’t trying.
Saying this, Tea Tree Tea has some things over other tea shops, larger space than Anteaques (but not than Eteaket), and has bathroom facilities that Anteaques is lacking.
I would encourage others to visit the shop, and to make their own judgments, however if you are quite busy and lack the time, I would save this shop for a day that you are truly bored, and not wanting to look for something new, or different, or a decent cup of tea.
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