Tea ceremony, expertly demonstrated by staff

Verdict: Run

Memorable experience that will stay with us whenever we think of Jiufen. The peaceful moments in the upstairs teashop and beautiful views from the teahouse alone are worth the visit, however the price of the eats will keep it as a once in a while treat.

Type: Teahouse

Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan (Jiufen)

Address: No. 308號, Qingbian Rd, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224

Cup of tea, complimentary postcard, & tea container

Item: Tea and tea-flavoured desserts - cashews, chocolate, oolong cheese cake

Cost: ~$2500 NT (~$100 CAD) for 4 people, 1 tea, & 3 desserts

Comments:

Spectacular view of the coast and the little town that inspired Spirited Away. Huge win was being secluded from the crowds on the famed lantern staircase.
Memorable experience to first watch a demonstration on how to properly make tea, then do it ourselves. The profile of the tea changed with each iteration with a single batch of tea leaves - you start with a 5 second steep time, then subsequently increase by 5 seconds more until reaching 25 seconds.
There’s a flat fee for each person in your party, then the cost of the tea - which varies between $300-2000 NT ($12-80 CAD). You get 37 g of tea total, but only use a portion of this for each teapot batch. Anything remaining will be packaged for you to bring home. They recommend 1 type of tea for parties of 1-4 people, 2 types for 5-7 people, etc.
We tried the 2007th Aged Shanlixi (Traditional Roasted) Tea - one of their signature teas.
Don’t worry if you don’t know Mandarin - our tea master explained the importance of each step in English, but we overheard her giving her lesson in Japanese at the next table over.
Of the desserts we tried, most recommend the tea-flavoured chocolate & the date oolong cheese cake.
A lovely touch at the end was the commemorative artistic postcard that shared the history of the teahouse.
It’s a must to visit their shop on the upstairs level. A large variety of beautiful ceramics and tea.
Definitely on the pricier-side, but a worthwhile experience.

Artist Teahouse

Cuiqu Coffee

Rufous Coffee