Floating Leaves Tea

Wonderfully informative service. Helped me pick out a tea to add to my just starting loose leaf collection, and ended up going with their house blend green tea. Best green tea I've had, will be back for more!

Got there as they had brewed a nice pot of oolong. Their jasmine pearls smelled incredibly fragrant. Also got some of the ‘Oriental Beauty’ tea.

Of all the teas in the world, Oolong is easily my favorite. I fell head-over-heels in love with a floral and buzzing Oolong tea from a little tea shop in Austin, over a decade ago, that turned my morning rituals into something divine. The moment I ran out of that tea, I was on a quest to find more. In the 10 years I've spent looking for an Oolong to live up to this experience, I have found maybe 3 or 4 that really resonated with me in the same way. So when I heard about Floating Leaves a few weeks ago, I was (to put it mildly) intrigued! My first order arrived today. I immediately tried out the Secret Garden Alishan High Mountain Oolong, and...oh my gosh. Incredible. It's like the Nectar of the Gods. The tea leaves are beautiful, and so aromatic. The tea is a gorgeous color, silky texture, and incredibly complex while still remaining delicate and bright. I'm on my second infusion and it is still so full of nuance and flavor! Floating Leaves has found themselves a new and loyal patron in me, all because of their reputation as passionate Oolong Lovers themselves. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this place. There is no better way to greet the new day than with a perfect cup of tea...

About 25 years ago, I began exploring oolong teas, but it wasn’t until Shiuwen opened Floating Leaves Tea in Seattle that I truly experienced how expressive and layered these teas could be. Stepping into the shop for the first time felt like discovering a haven for oolong tea lovers! Sharing their knowledge and passion for tea, Shiuwen and Noah have introduced me to new oolongs that have greatly expanded my appreciation! They always offer helpful advice and thoughtful suggestions. Brewing a tea from Floating Leaves Tea is one of the highlights of my day. Thank you, Shiuwen and Noah, for sharing your wisdom, warmth, and exceptional teas – I am truly grateful for all you do!

Update** We came back for another class and it was wonderful again. So much fun and we learned a lot. If you want to learn more about tea from brewing, tasting, smelling, and understanding quality of tea leaves email them and set up a class. You won't regret the experience!! I can not recommend this place enough. My sisters and I went here for a tea class and the owner was knowledgeable, funny, and extreamly skillful. She taught us a lot and explained things in a way that even a beginner could grasp. Learning this style of tea has become a real source of joy for us and this class helped all three of us expand in that in different ways. We are already looking forward to coming back for another class on our next trip to Seattle. If you are interested in gongfu style tea, Chinese style tea, or Taiwanese style tea this place is a must. Make time for a class on your next trip. You won't regret it.

She was fun to talk to and very knowledgeable about tea, helped me choose one to try(their house oolong). They will have teapots from Taiwan here soon. Everything is high quality!

For fresh tea and meeting friends. It reminds me of the shop in Pike Place where you sit in a coshared space to chat and enjoy tea. It's not fancy but very fair prices and good quality Chinese tea.

It's not about the tea, although Shiuwen and Noah's tea choices start at excellent and go to extraordinary. Rather, it's about the tea journey that drinking good tea can take us on over the years. There is always something new to enjoy and to learn from. I have learned from generous teas and from teas that told me, "You don't know tea! Drink more tea! Learn more tea!" I have brewed pots that have brought out qualities of the tea, and brewed pots badly and "killed" really wonderful teas. I have had teas Shiuwen and Noah have brewed in classes that brought tears to my eyes. Drink good tea, respect the tea, respect the farmers and tea makers, and take the time to simply enjoy the teas that you brew, these teas that S. and N. have chosen to sell and share with us.