Tea Blog

As I mentioned in the first part of this series, my long-time favorite bookstore tea room has now closed. The shop, Carturesti, still sells loose-leaf tea—in fact, they were once pioneers in Romania for offering higher-quality teas—and for years they were my primary source when traveling there.

Unfortunately, things seem to have changed. What was once a substantial tea section is now reduced to a few displays, and the teas I purchased—a black, a green, and an oolong—all tasted stale, as if they had not been refreshed for quite some time.

Needless to say, I won’t be returning.

A Promising Discovery

Thankfully, new tea shops have begun to appear. A friend recommended one near the University, and curiosity quickly got the better of me.

After briefly fearing it was just another Carturesti location, I was relieved to find, just a couple of doors down,
Demmers Teehaus.

This Austrian company has been expanding in Romania and opened its first Bucharest location relatively recently.

The difference was immediately clear:

• Teas stored properly in sealed tins behind the counter
• A solid selection of single-origin teas alongside flavored blends
• Knowledgeable and helpful staff

I selected a white Oothu, a Dong Ding oolong, and a Nepal green—all of which proved to be excellent.

They even carried tea cozies—something I had never seen in Romania before.

A Hidden Find

From University Plaza, I made my way to a used and rare book shop, where a small holiday market had set up in the back.

Among the usual assortment of handicrafts, sweets, and gifts, I was delighted to find
Treasure Tea & Coffee.

I later visited their main shop, where I found:

• A good selection of teas and tisanes
• Nicely curated teaware
• A particularly enjoyable Java green tea

The teacups alone made the visit worthwhile.

A Disappointing Experience

My final stop was Livada cu Ceai (“Orchard with Tea”), located in an upscale shopping center.

The shop itself was impressive, with a wide array of teaware—including items rarely seen in Bucharest such as Yixing teapots, gaiwans, aroma cups, and even samovars.

Unfortunately, the experience did not match the setting.

After some delay, I was shown a “special” Taiwanese oolong—but it lacked aroma entirely. Even more surprising was the price: nearly $75 for 100 grams.

When I declined and asked about other options, interest in assisting me quickly faded.

Given that I had seen the same tea elsewhere for significantly less (and with better quality), the experience was disappointing.

Final Thoughts

Tea shopping in Bucharest turned out to be something of a mixed experience.

However, there are bright spots—and with a bit of exploration, it is still possible to find excellent teas and promising new sources.

Sometimes, discovering those hidden gems is part of the adventure.

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