Boulder Tea Houses | In the Cups

We all love a good cup of tea, especially during the winter months. Besides a heart and body warming experience, tea has long been a ceremonial ritual in many countries across the world. Whether you’re drinking tea as a way to stay warm, as part of a ceremony, or as an alternative to coffee or alcoholic drinks, there are many great tea houses in and around Boulder. Each one offers a unique experience, with the common thread of good tea.

Tea can be a great addition to your routine. Health benefits are plentiful, and the rituals and history that accompany traditional tea houses can be a refreshing break from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

Chinese tea houses date back to the Tang dynasty where they first served as ritualistic spaces. Since then, an entertainment component was added, and it was common to see jugglers, storytellers, actors, singers perform in these spaces, much like bars today. China is not the only country with a rich culture of teahouses. Many countries have their own traditions and rituals associated with tea. While tea houses may not be as popular as bars or coffeehouses, Boulder County offers a variety of tea houses representing several different cultures, countries and traditions. These tea houses range from The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House in downtown Boulder to the Day Day Up Tea in Lafayette.

Dushanbe offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in a traditional experience from Tajikistan, all in a beautifully artistic space. The Dushanbe Tea House is a part of the Boulder Dushanbe sister city project, and is named after Tajikistan’s capital city, and is a word meaning “Monday.” Traditionally, Mondays are the days that bazaars are held in Tajikistan. Dushanbe is also part of the Three Leaf Family concept, which also includes the following Boulder establishments: Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, The Chautauqua Dining Hall, Zucca Italian Ristorante, The Huckleberry, Three Leaf Farm, and The Boulder Tea Company.

If you’d like to visit the Dushanbe Tea House, it is best to make reservations. They offer lunch, tea time, and dinner reservations.

Dim Sum, another traditional tea house staple is part of the experience here and one you will not want to miss.  Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal consisting of small plates of dumplings and other snacks. It is normally accompanied by tea and served during the brunch hour. The tradition of dim sum is thought to have originated in China in the later half of the 19th century after opium dens were banned. Today, dim sum is served across the world and enjoyed both as a tradition, as well as simply for the enjoyment of the delicious dumplings, teas, and other small plates it offers

Day Day Up Tea is a relatively new, traditional Chinese teahouse in Lafayette. It is a casual teahouse which offers a full menu of Kung Fu teas, as well as bubble teas. The Day Day Up Tea House is open to the public and no reservations are required. Try stopping in for an afternoon tea time treat in the winter, or a refreshing bubble tea during the warmer months. In addition to being able to enjoy a cup of tea at the tea house, Day Day Up Tea House also offers online ordering of loose leaf tea for delivery or pick up. You can head to their website for a full menu which includes green, white, yellow, oolong, black, red, and herbal (technically an infusion) teas. The food menu here also does not disappoint with an assortment of traditional Chinese foods, including dumplings, springs rolls, and moon cakes, served daily. If you are looking for a more immersive experience, Day Day Up Tea House offers reservations for tea tasting classes, Chinese Gonfo Tea Art, and “A Taste of China” menu. This last menu requires a 2 day in advance reservation.

Just like a good coffee house takes pride in their brewing equipment and ingredients, so does a good tea house. Ingredients are often imported and carefully prepared, steeped to perfection and served just-so to give you an authentic experience in your drink.

With more and more people choosing not to drink alcohol, teahouses could see a comeback as a gathering place–somewhere to enjoy a good (nonalcoholic) drink, spend time with friends, and maybe even enjoy some entertainment. The atmosphere in teahouses provide a relaxing, tranquil space to unplug from life’s busy pace and reconnect with oneself as well as others.

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