I found this thread
And the follow up comments on comments while looking for anything on Vital Leaf Tea in San Francisco.
I was by there yesterday, the 19th. I agree with the comments on it being smack on the end of tourist row in Chinatown, I found it because I was tooling through on the bike and trying to find some tea while in town.
I also agree with a bit of concern about the (well, some of the) selection being in big glass jars; but then the tin they pulled my puerh from was, er a tin. I'd think you'd almost _have_ to put the wares on display like that to compliment the business model of having 'looky-loos' and the odd passerby stop in and get interested.
As for the actual tea I am only able to report I purchased a small amount of some wood bridge puerh loose leaf, I've only had the one cup this morning (without proper technique, I am sure). I find it earthy and complex and worth investigating in a better manner, following the instructions the sales staff provided.
Things I didn't like:
- The location is great (accessible to discovery), but it is 'touristy' by default.
- Tea buds in glass jars are a dual edge sword of light to see and light to oxidize.
- Hmmm, not too much to report on my 1st visit, quick as it was re: things I didn't like.
Things I did like
- The staff seemed knowledgeable.
- The selection, while initially intimidating, was also exciting to contemplate.
- The offer to taste for free is working as an enticement, I had not enough time that 1st day to accept.
- The ladies behind the counter were lovely to look at and I'm not going to lie, I liked it. I'd go back even if it weren't so, but still...
I'm not accomplished nor experienced enough to be any kind of connoisseur but like the guys said "I might not know Art, but I know what I like...".
In this case I'd just as soon find a hole in the wall place with a wizened character with enough time to teach me things and enjoy tea with. Lacking a mythical Yoda like mentor I'll keep looking around, exploring and stopping by this place to plumb it's depths a bit more.
TBerk huh, did I write all that?...