Teatime at Crown Sydney

In a world where coffee connoisseurs have long been served barista-made brews in countless cafes, tea drinkers have often been left behind with a limp teabag in an unadorned steel jug.  

Not so at the Teahouse.  

From the eloquent ambiance to the whimsy of the birdcage seating and the premium service, the Teahouse is a haven for tea lovers. There’s not a teabag in sight, but rather a specialty in tea presentation that makes an event out of every visit.  

Technically speaking, tea is a beverage made by pouring hot or boiling water over the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to Asia. Camellia sinensis leaves can be prepared and processed in different ways, which results in the various types of tea, including green, white, oolong, and black tea. 

If water is poured over anything other than leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, such as herbs or fruits, it isn’t technically a tea, but rather a tisane or herbal tea. That even includes both chamomile and peppermint ‘teas’!  

Tea has a rich history in many cultures around the world and remains an important part of numerous cultures and traditions today. Beyond being a beverage, tea often plays a ceremonial role that reflects and reinforces cultural values, social customs, and artistic expression. These are just some of the ways tea ceremonies have shaped and impacted different countries.

A Japanese tea ceremony elevates tea preparation into an artform and is considered to be one of the three classical arts of Japanese refinement. It translates directly as the ‘way of tea,’ and is an embodiment of the Japanese culture of caring for guests. Here, the tea is matcha tea, and the tea master carefully prepares it in a traditional tea house. These ceremonies have a defined drinking order and specifics about the etiquette each person is required to perform.  

British afternoon tea is also a beloved tradition. While much less formal than a Japanese tea ceremony, it is typically enjoyed in the mid-late afternoon with light snacks such as cakes and scones. Afternoon tea began as a social gathering for the upper classes and has become popular in many Western countries today.  

In China, Gongfu means ‘to make tea with skill.’ This is a careful and precise process that exists to best highlight the flavours and aromas in tea by incorporating multiple short infusions. It was popularised in the Song Dynasty and remains commonplace centuries later.

There are many types of tea if you include tisanes and herbal drinks. Yet there are only four key types of traditional tea; black, white, green, and oolong.  

Green Tea  

The story goes that Chinese Emperor Shennong discovered green tea thousands of years ago when a tea leaf fell into his boiling water. At first, it was a luxury item for monks and the upper classes but is now enjoyed worldwide.  

Green tea is made by a process known as fixation or kill-green. This moderately heats the leaves to remove unwanted scents and prevent oxidation yet maintains the green colour and flavour. 

Sweet. Smooth. Slightly astringent. Green tea is known for its delicate and grassy flavours, with subtle aromas and a refreshing finish.   

Black Tea  

After many years of enjoying green tea, the Chinese accidentally discovered black tea due to the leaves oxidising during long sea voyages in the 17th century. Yet it was the British who would go on to popularise this drink.  

Therefore, black tea is brought about by the oxidisation process. The result is a hot drink that’s bold, earthy, aromatic, and slightly peppery.  

White Tea  

China is again to thank for white tea. Yet the origins of this specific brew are cloudier than a London fog. It is known that it was first produced during the Tang Dynasty in the Fujian Province, yet it quickly became popular in other countries such as Nepal and Sri Lanka.  

White tea is made by withering and drying the Camellia sinensis plant leaves, which removes the moisture content to avoid spoilage. It specifically relies on using young tea leaves with a lot of fine hair in order to create the best quality white teas.  

The result? A light, subtly sweet flavour that’s a little fruity and a little floral.  

Oolong Tea 

Oolong tea also finds its origins in China. The name translates as ‘black dragon,’ and while it began in the Fujian province and remains popular there today, is has also become common in Taiwan.  

This tea is created by a withering then bruising process. The leaves are dried, then shaken or tumbled to damage them and begin the oxidation process.  

Due to the variations in the process, not all oolongs taste the same. Some are lighter and floral, while others are richer with toasted notes more like black tea.  

Follow your senses to Level 3 of Crown Sydney to Teahouse. Styled as an oriental bar-meets-modern-Chinese teahouse, this venue is both a bar and a place to indulge in a luxury tea experience.  

The large birdcage seating spaces are a key feature of Teahouse, and the plush magenta lounge chairs only add to the elegance of the venue. Altogether, it creates an elevated setting for taking tea, where you can relax, celebrate, and indulge in a cup or two.  

Explore the Teahouse Beverage Menu to explore the specialty teas, from Yunnan Puer to Lung Ching Premium Green Tea, and even tea-based cocktails.  

Specialty Tea

Teahouse is not to be confused for an ordinary café or bar. The specialty teas here have been curated to reflect the luxury and heritage of the venue.  

These teas include Yunnan Pu’er, Premium Da Hong Pao, Premium Tie Guan Yin, and Lung Ching Premium Green Tea, all of which offer something a little different and a lot special. For example, Tie Guan Yin is an oolong tea known for its orchid-like floral elegance. 

Take it all in in a space where every detail has been curated for the experience. Think elegant glass pots, quiet moments of steeping, and warm, inviting lighting.  

Flower Tea

Sip on a warming mug of flower tea for light florals, a visual performance, and unmitigated pleasure.  

The flower teas on offer include the Fairy Basket (jasmine, lily, green tea), Heart in Heart (jasmine, thousand-day red, green), Chrysanthemum Flower Tea, and Golden Light (Calendula Officinalis, green tea).  

These teas unravel a sensory experience with their blossoming floral flavours and aromas, and blooming effect in the water. This is the perfect choice for a visual delight at the table, and a serene tea moment in a beautiful space.  

TWG Teas

TWG Tea is a prestigious global luxury tea brand, renowned for its collection of rare blends and refined flavour profiles. TWG Tea’s values of elegance, exclusivity and excellence are reflected in Crown’s own upscale hospitality experience, making this a pairing as refined and harmonised as tea and cake.  

The selection at Teahouse includes various classic black teas such as English Breakfast, 1837 Black, Earl Grey, and Imperial Lapsang Souchong. Or try something different with a green tea like Moroccan Mint, Waterfruit Green, Emperor Sencha, or Jasmine Queen. 

For a theine-free tea, opt for a Chamomile, Rooibos Whiskey Bourbon, or Midnight Hour.   

Refreshing. Warming. Relaxing. Refined. Tea offers universal appeal, with thousands of years of history leading to modern day tea experiences that are as diverse as they are delectable.  

Discover it all at Teahouse.