e2000 :: 老茶老東西

I can't get over the name. e2000! Who would have thought! It's a total contrast to what the shop holds. The owner had earlier thought he might do online retail, but never got around to it, and the brick-and-mortar has been around for 12 years.

Helmed by the unassuming owner Mr Liao (廖宜宗老師) and his friendly and knowledgeable manager Ms Cheng An Ting (程安婷), the store boasts of a wealth of excellent teas that have been carefully curated. Offering mainly Taiwanese teas, but there're gems of a Guangdong dancong oolong and pu'er. It's not a cafe or a dessert place, but purely an oasis for tea. So step in if you're interested in what they have to say and taste their fine brews.

While it sells mostly wooden vintage ware, its main business is selling 'old' teas (老茶). Aged teas (more than 15 years old) that the Taiwanese prize- aged in about three main categories: 1) Those left aside to age naturally on their own; 2) Those baked and left to age, and may be baked again over the years; and 3) Those baked and intended to age and taste like black tea, or even herbal concoctions. During the right season (early December or late June/early July), they would also have spring or winter teas for you. The teas aren't horrifically priced. Averaging about NTD1500 per 100 grams or so, each tea is worth every penny and more. There're so many tea shops in Taipei, but not easy to find one that offers tea at the quality we seek.

The girlfriend and I fell head over heels in love with the feel of this place. They don't just do good teas, but are able to concisely summarize and explain the characteristics of each tea and its interlinking components. They were unfazed by our questions and patiently answered every one. We loved chatting with An Ting who at 31 years old, has intimate knowledge of her chosen profession of 10 years. We had such an illuminating time.

e2000 
台北市永康街54號1F
No.54 Yong Kang Street, Taipei City (Nearest Metro train station- Dong Men.)
T: 0936-078595 (Cash transactions only.)
Opening hours: Almost daily, 1500hrs - 2200hrs (Please call to confirm.)