Have a nice Cuppa day at Lee Gardens Area

The minimalist décor of BASAO is a delight to anyone passing by Pak Sha Road. At first glance, it looks like a coffeehouse because of its soft lighting and soothing music. In fact, it is a place dedicated to tea. Customers usually prefer the tables next to the large windows. Indeed, who wouldn’t love watching the world go by while sipping on a cup of fine tea? 
 
At the centre of the shop is the tea bar, and the spotless workbench is where tea baristas brew the tea. BASAO serves numerous well-known tea types like Balyaqlian, Darjeeling or Seaside Honey in brewer cups rather than traditional teapots. There are no purple clay pots or ceramic tea wares, but instead, the tea comes in a clear coffee pot or espresso shot glass. This break from tradition is to make the art of tea more accessible to everyone. 

"There are very few tea brands that promote slow living in the heart of the bustling city,” said Katherine Yu, the tea master at BASAO. “Slow”, however, does not mean serving slowly, but the tea culture behind it. 
 
“Tea drinking can be very ceremonial which is related to culture, religion, and art. A traditional teahouse in the middle of a busy city can feel a little unapproachable, so we tone it down to make it feels like it belongs.” At BASAO, Katherine wants her customers to slow down, and be spoilt for choice by the menu of teas brewed artfully by the tea baristas and desserts made from seasonal tea leaves. 
  
Pak Sha Road is where so many people come and go, so BASAO is well placed to be a resting stop for them to take a break and refresh. Katherine explained: "Tea is a product of nature. Just a sip of tea connects us to nature from the tastebuds. Our bodies relax, our emotions are calmed. It brings us back to our natural state.” Tea may not offer an instant uplift like coffee, but this balancing effect makes it all the more alluring. 

Some would say that the corner of Matheson Street feels like Omotesando in Japan, due largely to THE MATCHA TOKYO extends the brand philosophy of the original flagship store in Shibuya. Just stepping inside the store instantly brings you all the way to Tokyo. 

The products in the store are made from 100% organic matcha from Uji and Kagoshima, harvested once every year. There is no traditional tea table, only one standing table. Drinks are made to order, and for takeaway only. You might not know the drinks are all made from pure matcha which is served in Japanese teahouses until you see the tea master brewing the tea with a traditional teapot and utensils.  
 
What does the sign “MATCHA Habit” displayed in the store stands for? MATCHA TOKYO’s marketing representative explained: “The MATCHA Habit is whether you are just wandering or on your way to work, it is always a good time to enjoy matcha!" 

Hong Kongers are used to this fast-paced, grab-and-go style, but it is also the characteristic taken from THE MATCHA TOKYO’s stores in Japan. The tea and utensils are all imported form Japan and the local team is trained by the tea masters in Japan but there are also Hong Kong limited products, such as the latest most-loved Matcha Mochi Croffle and the beautifully Matcha Espresso Latte with three layers.  
 
Traditionally, Japanese matcha culture is associated with the tea’s anti-aging and beautifying effect, but the brand has rejuvenated the image of high-quality matcha with a fast-paced, trendy style that appeals to the younger generation so that they can get into the habit of drinking and understanding matcha. 
 
THE MATCHA TOKYO 
G/F, 8 Matheson Street, Lee Gardens Area, Causeway Bay 

A sip of tea can clear your mind. When you are ready for a more in-depth cultural experience and to have a better understanding of tea, visit the latest tea-related exhibition – “18/22 Tea Story". at Urban Sky on the 9th floor of Hysan Place.

The exhibition showcases nine crossover products and nine collaborative products made by 26 local creative units. These include hand-made brass teapot from Ping Kee Metals containing mulberry tea bags from an organic farm in Ping Chau, English bone china tea set by painter Wilson Shieh working together with Yuet Dong China Works, as well as a smoky whisky with longan tea flavour produced jointly by Yuedo Brewery and Gaak Yuet Bing Studio, the latter of which is known for hosting regular whisky tasting sessions. 

The stories behind these exhibits began around four years ago when former journalist Nico Tang shared his thoughts on local production with his designer friends. “In media, stories have a lifecycle. They may exist for a one or two weeks, and even shorter in online media where they disappear after two or three days. We want to give them a longer life by turning them into some everyday objects. This is actually not a new idea. For example, Japan’s D47 project also promotes the products from the country’s 47 prefectures.”