First Glance: Papp's Tea Lab, Sanlitun Soho

It may seem a bit "coals to Newcastle," but Papp's Tea has its sights set on bringing a new experience to tea drinking in China, starting with their international tea experience lounge, or Tea Lab, in Sanlitun Soho.

Founder Martin Papp started Papp's Tea in 2014 after visiting China for the first time in 2006 while sourcing tea for an American business. He aims to bring the tea lounge concept, made popular in the US by companies such as Starbucks' Teavana, while at the same time localizing the experience for experienced tea drinking palates. 

The Tea Lab carries 60 varieties of tea, herbs, and spices from around the world, including pu'er and longjing from China, Darjeeling from Sri Lanka, rooibos from South America, and French lavender. In addition to the Tea Lab, they have two tea lounges in the works, and are already looking for more locations.

The Tea Lab also offers custom tea blending classes (RMB 99 per person), every Sunday from 2-3.30pm. Taste a bunch of teas, along with herbs and spices, and learn how to blend their flavors together. You'll get to take home 30g of your very own tea blend at the end of the class.

Follow them on WeChat at PAPPsTeaChina to buy tea and sign up for the tea blending classes.

Papp's Tea Lab
B1-529, Bldg 5, Sanlitun Soho, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8590 0951)
朝阳区工体北路8号三里屯Soho 5号商场B1-529

More stories by this author here.

Email: robynnetindall@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Robynne Tindall, courtesy of Papp's Tea