Return to the Era of Black and White Photos: Bai Hei Shenghuo Tea

In the bustling Zhongshan district of Taipei, if you turn into a quiet alley, you will see this beautiful Bai Hei Shenghuo Tea(Boo's Space), which exudes the feeling of "hidden gem in the city."

"I really miss the era when we used to develop black and white photos and the traditional craftsmanship of the old days," said the owner, Ah Bai, dressed in a stylish white outfit. She loves the simplicity and authenticity of the old era. She listens to foreign operas and old songs from the era of "In the Mood for Love" on her vacuum tube amplifier. The shop also collects large glass jars that were used for storage in the past, and even the name of the shop is based on the words "black and white."

In this atmosphere, people's hearts can easily settle down. We made a reservation for a tea ceremony and, after having a simple meal, Ah Bai generously served us her flagship tea, the Second Prize Oriental Beauty. I have always loved the story of Oriental Beauty and knew how difficult it was to obtain tea leaves that were favored by the small green leaf cicada.

The moment I smelled this Oriental Beauty from Zhubei, I knew I was hooked. The fragrance evolves with each steeping and is incredibly rich: flowers! Flowers! Flowers! Ripe mangoes, peaches, honey, and coconut sugar - it is also very elegant in the mouth.

Moreover, Ah Bai's pumpkin porcelain jar is really beautiful.

This time, I am grateful to have tasted the Dayuling tea, which was brewed in a silver pot by Ah Bai at an altitude of 2,600 meters. Why is it a rare tea? Because the land above this altitude has been reclaimed by the government for conservation purposes and can no longer be used for tea cultivation.

It is indeed delicate and elegant, with a fairy-like quality, and I finally understood the unique aroma of high mountain tea at the bottom of the cup.

There are also snacks between the two types of tea, such as guava and fragrant garlic buns.

It was a beautiful afternoon.

This place is really suitable for us to relax and have a good time enjoying tea and chatting with our companions without the distractions of smartphones. It takes us back to the time when many things were still handmade and time flowed like water, rather than being compressed.

Ah Bai's tea ceremony requires reservations, and five people are just right, but less than five can also be accommodated.

Bai Hei Shenghuo Tea (Boo's Space)

No. 10, Alley 3, Lane 89, Section 3, Nanjing East Road, Taipei City

0923 922 676