Founded in 2009 by Tao Wu, in the Rosedale-Yorkville area, the shop was born. We offer the community a unique Chinese style tea house experience. Our team consists of Tea Sommeliers who have completed the George Brown College program, and are continuing to learn by being with us. Together we are very happy to share our knowledge and experience with the tea community.more...See more text
Owner of Tao Tea Leaf and certified tea sommelier Tao Wupours boiling hot water on loose-leaf oolong in pre-warmed vessels, then dumps the water quickly. This first rinse, as it is commonly known, is not to clean the tea, as many claim. It is to open up the leaves, the same way wine opens up with exposure to air. Tao inhales the scent, then brews another batch, leaving the water in for no more than a minute.
Tao will happily demonstrate the traditional Chinese way of steeping tea to help his customers get the most out of his award-winning selections. He does not, however, want them to feel constricted by excessively strict methodology. “Drinking tea is a way to relax, to feel restored,” he explains. “You shouldn’t stress about doing it correctly. You should enjoy the calm it brings.”
Boasting a wide range of teas, from green and black to oolong and pu’erh, plus items like gaiwans and yixing teapots, Tao Tea Leaf is probably the closest you can get to an authentic Chinese tea experience in Toronto. The shop even offers workshops where you can experience a tea ceremony for yourself. Tao Tea Leaf is also the founder of the Toronto Tea Festival, so you can thank them for the chance to sample goodies from other vendors at the event.
Being a founder of Toronto’s first tea festival gives this tea house and store some serious street cred. Here, you will find Yixing clay and cast iron teapots, filters and trays and an array of loose leaf in tin canisters (including a whole collection of the past winners from the North American Tea Championship). Stay and relax in the salon while you’re served a traditional Chinese-style tray with a blend chosen for you. If you’re lucky, you may receive a tasting or a Chinese Gongfu tea ceremony that will teach you about the cultural background of tea.