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On a Monday afternoon, before entering "Hermit's Hut," I imagined that the tea house would be quiet, with only a few mosquitoes buzzing around. Little did I know that the crowd was gradually surging, including many young people and foreigners.
It was lively but not noisy.
"Hermit's Hut," named after Tao Yuanming's phrase "Three paths lead to wilderness, yet pine and chrysanthemums still thrive," originally referred to the dwelling of a nobleman, appearing simple and almost desolate, yet maintaining its integrity. Similarly, tea is quiet and simple; naming it "Hermit's Hut” reminds us to focus on the enchanting essence beneath the unassuming appearance of tea.
In 2017, Vicky and her husband aspired to establish a contemporary tea house, ultimately choosing a design inspired by European cave dwellings, "like European wabi-sabi." Vicky said. The tea space features a large, stylish bar counter alongside antique pieces, intertwining modernity with historical elements. The antique wooden doors, laden with the weight of history, seem to come alive in this atmosphere, reflecting their original intent: to keep traditional culture alive in the contemporary era.
The tea house offers options for tea-infused alcohol, and the tea menu is thoughtfully designed using numbers to simplify flavor descriptions, making it easy for the general public, especially the youth, to understand. Many tea houses now emulate this model, but back then, they were innovative pioneers.
Vicky, at a young age, has been immersed in the world of tea for two decades! She started learning tea alongside her mother, who eventually stopped, but Vicky plunged into the path of tea and continued steadfastly. Over the years, she has studied various tea arts under different renowned tea masters, gradually finding her own path.
The tea house has a unique feature: the option of "charcoal-fired water." Vicky recalls the time when she learned tea from the famous teacher Shen Wu-Ming, where she spent a whole year tending to the charcoal fire every day, without even touching the tea kettle. Achieving even heat, avoiding excessive intensity or extinguishing the fire altogether, is a technical skill that requires a deep connection with the fire.
When they opened the tea house, Teacher Shen had only two requirements for her: to use charcoal to boil water and to use Yixing Teapots. She has not forgotten these two instructions, and most teapots in the tea house are from the Yixing factory, demonstrating her respect for her teacher.
Their tea selection spans a wide range, covering various types of tea, and they emphasize the traditional craftsmanship of tea production. They also collaborate with tea farmers, and the names of the tea farmers are uncommonly listed on the menu. We tried the "Zhuang Ji's Wild Taiwanese Native Tea" black tea that day; its delicate quality was unforgettable, and the tea could withstand multiple infusions. Anyone who has tried growing and making tea knows how hard tea farmers work; each cup is filled with sweat and effort. Vicky hopes that tea farmers can thrive, and she proudly showcases their names. I love her statement: "We don't haggle with tea farmers, and we don't haggle with artists."
"Hermit's Hut" is also an art gallery; that day, the tea house was adorned with calligraphy and paintings as it hosted a contemporary calligraphy and painting exhibition. Vicky, an art enthusiast, not only aims to introduce the beauty of tea to everyone but also passionately showcases Eastern arts such as calligraphy and ink painting for public appreciation, promoting the integration of Eastern art into the aesthetics of our daily life.
Hermit's Hut
No. 15, Alley 46, Lane 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
+886-2-2746-6929
https://www.hermits-hut.com/
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