Top Tea House - About Us
The Pearl River – Centre of World Trade
The origins of tea as a drink have been lost in the mists of time, however we do know that the Chinese have been making and drinking tea for at least 4700 years. Like tea, the Top Tea House can trace its origins to China, albeit a slightly more recent era.
Being on the ancient maritime silk routes, the city of Canton has been the political, economic and cultural centre of southern China for more than 2000 years.
Located on the Pearl River the city had been a thriving port for centuries when the Dutch East India Company and the British East India Company established trading posts there in the early part of the 18th century. Obviously the art of tea making and the pastime of tea drinking were well established by then.
The 19th Century saw the cities continued growth as a leading international port and with the Treaty of Nanking it consolidated its position as one of the leading international and cosmopolitan cities of the world.
Canton 1858
Amongst the traditional businesses which thrived in the growing city were the old tea houses and many of the present day tea houses in the city can be traced to the explosive growth of Canton as a port city in the 19th century and earlier.
With thousands of ships passing through the port annually the trade in goods and services for itinerant sailors and merchants was huge. It was in this period that the predecessors of Top Tea House first established business in the Tinhay district not far from the banks of the Pearl River.
From those early years we learned to adapt our teas and menu to cater for western and international tastes but at the same time retaining the hospitality, traditions and the teas favoured by local patrons.
Sydney 2009
We felt that no one was providing quality tea and food in Sydney at an affordable everyday price. With this in mind we designed the interior of the Tea House to reflect our traditional origins but mindful of the European influences derived from many of our very first customers in the Port of Canton all those years ago.
All this would, of course, mean nothing if the food and drink did not match the high standards we have set ourselves over the years! We’re sure our wide selection of 25 premium tea blends plus your favourite everyday Twinings and Billy Tea will have something to please every taste. If you are not in the mood for tea we have a wide selection of coffees, juices, and soft drinks.
Our food selection, all cooked in-house by our chef, is similarly varied with plenty of healthy options. We have traditional cooked breakfasts, daily lunch specials, sandwiches and lighter snacks as well as a range of cakes and tasty treats to brighten up even the hardest day at work.
We believe once you visit us and see our wonderful Tea House, friendly staff and fantastic selection of food and drink, you’ll keep coming back for more! So book a table today and let the Top Tea House take care of you.
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