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The Vital Leaf Edit

5 ratings
1 2 3 4 5
Type Tea Shop
Style Asian
Serves Loose-leaf, Chai
Features Tastings
Good For Dates, Groups

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Photo submitted by Pierre

4 Reviews

The Vital Leaf in San Francisco, California
5/5
Edit
fullmelt rated this place
5/5
and said Edit

Kenny is very informative and gives amazing customer service. Great selection of tea with a cool atmosphere. Must see for tea in SF Chinatown.

The Vital Leaf in San Francisco, California
4/5
Edit
TCB rated this place
4/5
and said Edit

Simple place, with great selection. I am a beginner tea drinker, and my background is some medium grade oolong and red tea. As I am ready to step up a little, and saw Vital as a chance to learn about Puerh and some higher grade oolong. Met Jason who was very knowledgeable and helpful. Information was delivered like the tea samples — concise, precise, and somewhat quick. I would have like it better if the pace could slow down a bit, but maybe it was me, because I could have spent the whole afternoon there and not mind a bit. Service was very friendly, with no pressure to buy, as the customers who were sampling at the same time I was did not buy anything (that I saw). I ended up with some Blue People, which I wll review when I get my techniques down a bit. Are there any tea drinkers in HB, I wonder?

The Vital Leaf in San Francisco, California
4/5
Edit
Pierre rated this place
4/5
and said Edit

Seems like a nice place for Tea tasting but I couldn’t stay for one. Maybe next time.
Although I was able to taste a Blue People Oolong and liked it so much that I bought some.
Great selection of Teaware as well.

The Vital Leaf in San Francisco, California
5/5
Edit
Spencer rated this place
5/5
and said Edit

-Long bench, taste as long as you like, communal tastings, selection chosen by sommelier.
-Friendly & Open

Angel tea – sweet, green, non-vegetal
Apple Ginseng Oolong – Very sweet, sugary more than it smelled like, coats tongue.
“Popcorn Tea” – Very buttery smooth oolong
Lychee Black – Extreme sweetness…like lychee
Blue People Oolong – Ginseng, bit sweet, smooth
25 Year Pu’erh – Amazing, excellently smooth, extra woody
Sticky Rice Pu’erh – Smells of fresh cooked rice, and fishy pu’erh.