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"Tea cannot be rushed; it needs to be savored."
Having the opportunity to chat with the owner of Nâu Trà tea shop, affectionately known as Ms. Lê Nâu by her customers, I gained a deeper understanding of the world of tea. Each place has its own unique style of tea. At Nâu Trà, the tea's flavor isn't bitter or astringent (strong tea), but primarily sweet and aromatic (light tea), which is the shop's characteristic way of enjoying tea.
"If you drink strong tea, you won't fully appreciate the aroma it offers. When you drink it weak, it reveals different nuances of flavor that you can savor and won't miss. It's as if tea is the guiding light; the customers who come to Nâu Tea are usually those with discerning tastes in tea," shared Ms. Lê Nâu.
From the tea utensils to the way the tea is brewed and served, every step is meticulously executed, reflecting sophistication and respect.
Hanoi has many tea houses, each with its own unique style. Nâu Trà is a very special place. The minimalist decor creates a distinct atmosphere. Guests not only enjoy exquisite Vietnamese teas but also feel the heartfelt charm emanating from the space and the simple, timeless decorative items.
The decor at Nâu Trà is simple yet distinctive.
Vietnamese tea culture often includes the saying: "First, water; second, tea; third, cup; fourth, teapot; fifth, gathering of friends." Everyone may have different perceptions, but Nâu Trà still adheres to that cultural principle of tea ceremony.
The most important thing, and the first step: the water for brewing tea must be good. The purer the water, the more fragrant and flavorful the tea will be. If the water is not up to standard, even the best tea will lack flavor. According to Ms. Le Nau, first, the water is filtered to perfection, then stored in earthenware jars, and finally boiled in a silver teapot. The silver teapot absorbs the negative substances in the water and purifies it as much as possible. Therefore, when you drink it, it tastes as sweet as spring water.
At Nâu Trà, you not only get to enjoy delicious tea, but you also get to admire the meticulous process of tea preparation.
"Learning the basics of brewing tea isn't too difficult. But mastering it depends on the individual. Tea has a unique quality: it's the same tea, the same water, but each person's brewing produces a different flavor. Sometimes, a person's personality is reflected in their tea. Even now, after a long time of practicing and brewing many types of tea, I still practice even after opening my shop and learn from the customers who come here," said Ms. Le Nau.
In the early days, Ms. Le Nau always wondered how to brew a delicious cup of tea, but that concept depends on each individual. A delicious cup of tea here isn't defined by any single standard; it's tailored to each person's taste. Sometimes, customers come here to drink tea in silence while listening to music. Because sometimes, drinking tea quietly allows you to appreciate the tea's flavor more, a difference you'll notice immediately when you drink it hastily.
The tea-drinking atmosphere at Nâu Trà is very peaceful.
The tea served at Nâu Quán typically comes from mountain trees, some of which only grow once every few generations, embodying the essence of nature. Therefore, each tea leaf is treated with care.
A truly delicious cup of tea.
"The simplicity of brewing tea lies in the fact that you often don't need much in the way of teapots and cups. Just a small serving bowl and teacups are enough to make delicious tea. You can see the tea, its color, and the tea leaves unfolding instead of putting them in a teapot," said Ms. Le Nau.
Each utensil has its own function. The khai is used for brewing tea and watching the water temperature. The tsong is used to increase or decrease the temperature. After brewing tea in the khai, never pour it directly into the cup because each pour will result in a different tea flavor. However, when all the tea is poured into the tsong, the tea will be evenly brewed and have a consistent taste.
The simple way to make tea is that you often don't need much in the way of teapots and cups. Just a teapot, teacup, and a tea pitcher are enough to make a good cup of tea. In the photo, from left to right, are the tea pitcher and teapot.
There are many different ways to brew a single type of tea to achieve its characteristic aroma and sweetness, and Nâu Trà always brews teas with these distinctive characteristics. While the bitterness might prevent you from drinking too much, the fragrant sweetness of this tea helps you relax all day and even sleep better.
Besides, a good cup of tea depends on many other external factors such as: weather, tea plant, producer, tea maker... From the same tea plant, the leaves can produce many different types of tea. When you drink a lot of tea and accumulate experience in taste, you will be able to recognize whether the tea is pure or not.
Pu-erh tea in block form
Tea is considered medicine and is very good for health. Each type of tea has its own unique benefits. The main types of tea include: white, yellow, green, red, black, and Pu-erh. White tea helps fight aging and cools the body. Green tea helps with safe weight loss and detoxifies the body. Yellow and Pu-erh teas cleanse the stomach, regulate blood circulation, and reduce stress. Ripe Pu-erh tea can even help with hangovers. Many people drink tea not because it tastes good, but sometimes for its health benefits. Ms. Le Nau says that the teas at her shop are usually sourced from trees on the mountains, some trees only grow once every few generations, embodying the essence of nature. Therefore, each tea leaf is carefully considered.
Savoring dried plums with a sip of hot tea is such a wonderfully poetic experience.
“At Nâu Trà, there’s no excessive formality; it’s more about comfort and feeling. I want everyone who comes to Nâu Trà to focus on the experience and enjoy the tea without having to think too much. Each guest will have their own unique experience. We’ve minimized the complexities inside the shop and focused on the greenery outside,” Ms. Lê Nâu further shared.
