This shop gets 4 stars because it’s adorable, and it’s a tea room… in Utah! If you think that finding a good cup of coffee is hard in a place where the dominant culture believes hot, caffeinated beverages to be evil, try finding a good cup of tea.
That being said, this wouldn’t be a 4 star tea room in any other state. I ordered a Keemun to go, and they poured some hot water over the loose tea and gave it to me in a paper cup. Just like a starbucks, they didn’t seem to care about the ratio between water and tea, nor did they give me any way to prevent the leaves from over-steeping. I tried very hard to do the high-quality Keemun justice by drinking it all between the 3 and 4 minute marker, but failed. Instead, I ended up with an undrinkably bitter cup only ten minutes after receiving it.
I’d still be curious to try this place again to see how they brew tea for their in-house customers. Because, as I said before… it’s a tea place… in Utah – so it’s well deserving of second, third, and even fourth chances.
- 2030 South 900 East
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- (801) 466-8255
- http://www.tea-grotto.com