Chasing the Rabbit

So true to my word, I checked out the Rabbit Hole in Redfern earlier this week.

It was neat.

First up, the most important aspect: the tea. $5 for a pot of tea that comes with a timer and a nifty lid that you turn to prevent overbrewing. Dreadfully unaware of the iced tea page (it was one of those 35 degree days) we went with the Summer Fling, Strawberry Skinny, Lavender Cream, White Delight and Spring Bouquet. With the exception of my friend Annie, the general consensus saw the Summer Fling reigning supreme with its refreshing hints of pineapple, coconut and ginger. As the name suggests, it's a bit of a cheeky brew and I love me some cheek. The Rabbit Hole website also suggests a chilled version with a splash (maybe a sploosh) of vodka. Yeah, okay, sold.

In second place for the table came the Lavender Cream, though I personally took a shine to Spring Bouquet - a chamomile, white tea and rose/calendula blend - which, whilst subtle in flavour, was extremely relaxing. Whilst the Strawberry Skinny and White Delight fell shy of expectations, I'm sure someone else will appreciate these original blends.

As I mentioned, I chose perhaps the hottest day I could to check the Rabbit Hole out, for reasons still unknown to me. Never have I felt such regret for missing a menu page as I did this day when I saw an iced tea going to another table. Coated in chilly condensation, filled with liquid sunset and topped off with ice and a cinnamon stick, that one glass had the eyes of my table. I'm awaiting the next scorcher of a day to check out that iced tea menu.

Onto the establishment itself, it's a case of walk in, grab yourself a table and wait for the staff to bring you menus and a jug of sparkling water (which was pretty refreshing between the summery heat and hot tea). Ordering up at the counter means you get to avoid the awkward splitting of the bill, not to mention you can admire the lavender shortbread and other baked goodies in the display. There's also a tea tasting station if you're in the mood for it (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't be).

I think it goes without saying, but we were all pretty astounded by the interior design of the place - photos are one thing, but seeing it for yourself is another. A part of me felt like I was back in the designer cafes of Seoul. The shop (see the second picture above) is a fine-looking specimen with its bowls of fresh tea blends which you can smell when deciding what to buy (either for your table or your pantry cupboard). The only problem is that the height of the bowls makes it awkward to stand bent over, sniffing tea while other patrons stare at you. It may be less noticeable when the place is busy, but there were only ever 12 or so customers at a time (including my table) in the main area while I was there.

Foodwise, there's a little bit of tea in everything on the menu. Not enough to be overpowering, but it shows off the homage to tea that the Rabbit Hole is. From the menu, we got the cold green tea soba and the matcha granola. A tad on the pricey side, but it's cool to see each menu item is paired with a particular tea. Miss Zhao and Hashimoto went for a muffin and a cheesy scone respectively from the display. I myself couldn't resist a couple of the lavender shortbread biscuits which, whilst too sweet for me, looked spectacular in the grand spread of our table.

The Rabbit Hole staff were friendly and accommodating. Sense of humour present, too. No real complaints.

All in all, the Rabbit Hole does what it wants and does it well. Go there and you're not just drinking tea - you're drinking in everything about the place. We spent almost three hours there, just enjoying it. This is a tea experience you ought to have because it's such a far cry from Sydney's other offerings. This ain't no high tea, this is hip tea. With that said, I did feel that there's something missing there though I'm not exactly sure what. I guess it's an excuse to go back.

So that's it.

Oh wait, did I mention the Rabbit Hole also has a swanky bathroom?

Is it weird to take bathroom pictures? (Probably)

Yes, that's a door handle

- Charith

A Present Proposal for the Future

First off, I apologise in advance for all the potato quality photos. At the beginning of the year my neat camera was stolen in my university, vanishing without a trace. As a result, I’ve had to resort to my phone’s camera. Whilst less than ideal, it should nevertheless help in instantaneous visual gratification, which I’m sure most of you will be thankful for given my tendency to ramble. (I’d say this paragraph is a pretty decent case in point.)

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Anyway, for the better part of the past 2 years I’ve had something on my mind. By now, those of you who know me would be aware of my soft spot for tea. Some may even call me a tea romantic (make the pun and I won’t forgive you). However, those truly passionate about tea would quickly realise how inexperienced I am and how little I’ve truly ventured into the wide world of tea. This is in part due to the relatively undeveloped and underappreciated tea scene in Australia and, moreover, Sydney. The rest is due to my status as a poor university student coupled with a vicious – borderline dangerous – adherence to traditional tea (I’m not exaggerating when I say the pyre should have been reserved exclusively for bubble tea). For me, tea has always been a personal experience, just as faith and reading are. I adore and continually appreciate the solitude, the peace and the sense of harmony that tea can provide. However, whilst none of this has really changed - though Sydney's tea scene is very gradually emerging - the scope of my thinking has expanded.

Ever since I visited both Seoul and Beijing, my approach to life shifted ever so slightly. Seoul brought the best modern and traditional concepts together in ways that were both innovative and refreshing. In Beijing, you'll find historical culture injected into the many hidden niches of that paradoxically retro/modern metropolis. South Korea showed me what I didn't think possible - good things exist to be savoured - whereas China taught me that culture should always have its place wherever you go.

A tiny teahouse hidden in Beijing

Whereas I've always indulged in life's simple pleasures, of which tea is perhaps the pinnacle, I now also have the motivation to share this passion of mine with others. Tea has an infinite number of possibilities just waiting to be discovered. Bear in mind that, while I do not drink coffee (I could never acquire the taste), I do think it's done cool things for café culture. Yet a new age of coffee has already been firmly established in the modern world. You can't see tea, [but] its time is now.

There's been more than just my Asia trip convincing me that tea is the right path though. Many of you likely know that I study Chinese and, last year, I participated in the Chinese Bridge Competition (汉语桥比赛) which is essentially an eisteddfod. Whilst my speech itself was woeful, the idea was there: tea needs to make its comeback (if you want to see the Chinese script, just ask).

This year, I paid a visit to Sydney's second annual tea festival which quite frankly blew me away. So much tea, so many people. Every person there - high school and university students, full-time workers, retirees, friends, couples, lone individuals, etc. - was there to enjoy and experience tea. There was an honesty about the whole atmosphere which I feel is really fundamental to tea appreciation. No, I didn't like everything I tried, but I didn't need to when I could see others getting their afternoon delight (again, avoid the pun). I got to see tea bringing out the best in people, which in itself had a certain charm.

I was lucky enough to see the likes of Cathy Zhang of Ms Cattea and David Lyons of 18ThirtyFour running tea workshops at the festival. Apart from the obvious educational value of the sessions, I found that tea lovers are simply fascinating, intriguing existences. They see the magic that tea possesses and wish to share that with the world. It's pretty inspiring stuff.

Appreciating tea means recognising that people have different tastes and that no one variety is the right one. Coffee has a distinctive taste and you know a good one when you try it. Tea is less straightforward. A good tea can be exquisite to one individual and revolting to another. With that said, I believe there's a tea experience out there for everyone. Realising this is the dream.

Finally getting closer to the point, two days ago I was in Brisbane for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival AKA Mooncake Festival (as you do). I got to have some good times and shameless dances with friends and strangers alike. What came as a surprise was the chat I had with Tammy Yap of Jacobs, a bright and successful professional - with an immaculate taste in dresses - who is starting up her own business this week (and I'm wishing her the best of luck). With a husband, three kids and a career, this lady is doing it big and winning major role model points.

In any case, Tammy and I talked about the usual things a professional and university student tend to discuss: my degree, her dress, her experience, my lack thereof, her ambitions and then my own. Taking a gamble, I laid it on her: the ultimate tea experience done my way. What started off as disbelief turned into curiosity, which soon became intrigue and encouragement. "What's stopping you from doing it now?" she asked, perhaps goadingly. It was then that I shared my doubts, my current inadequacies and my plans for achieving my goals. I don't really know what Tammy thought at this point, but expressing all this solidified my resolve.

It was only 16 months ago I first stumbled upon the roots of this idea, a week ago that I shared my ambition with my dad and now here I am, eagerly looking into the next steps I need to take and keeping my eyes open for opportunities. For now, I need to get more involved in Sydney's emerging tea scene, starting with the Rabbit Hole next week. (Thanks for the heads up, Cyn!)

For everyone who loves tea, keep doing what you do and share it with others, because tea brings with it its own reward. For those not well acquainted, dive on in! Sydney has enough to get you started if you look a little. When was the last time you had a tea party? Parties don't have to be in the dark of night to get those senses tingling, though midnight tea is never a dull time.

Need more incentives? Have a chat with me.

Tea is amazing and so are the people who drink it. Don't miss out!

- Charith