Rare Chinese and Vietnamese Oolongs, rosewaters and green teas now available in, um, Paddington
Positioned incongruously alongside the cheap luggage shops and bureaux de change of Paddington, Teaspoon is a small and intimate affair. Owner Uyen Luu is a true tea connoisseur, and sits behind the counter drinking ‘ooh, maybe 50’ cups a day with her Vietnamese mother. If they dip into the full breadth of Teaspoon’s range, they could probably get away with drinking a different one each time, choosing from weird and wonderful jars of pot pourri-looking blends of red lychee, or jasmine silver needle.
Customers of Luu’s old shop in Covent Garden (which Teaspoon replaces) now trek across the West End for the rarefied tastes of Chinese and Vietnamese Oolongs, rosewaters and green teas, many of which you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. As well as a full suite of pretty tea-making accessories, from pots to coasters and biscuit tins, the shop also showcases Luu’s cheap and cheerful fashion designs, short runs of cute satin dresses and knits which start from £35. There’s also a range of feminine strappy sandals by Pertu (perfect for summer feet) at around the £75 mark. Best buy Teaspoon Jasmine Scented Silver Needle White Tea, £9. Teaspoon, 195 Praed St, W2 (020 7402 0499/www.leluu.com) Paddington tube/rail. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm.
