Over the years I had stopped at Ten Ren en route to Chinatown shopping. And like the now closed Ito En, it afforded a uninformed tea shopper like myself a large selection to choose from. The problem is that nothing here is effectively labeled. Not for you, nor the staff.
Customer service is mostly absent here, but in a strangely vague style, present in a way to make you feel that you most definitely wandered into the wrong place, and that it would be convenient for them to have you stop back in another lifetime, if you would. The bag above is a great representation about what your experience will be like when you visit the store there.
Of the 40 canisters of loose tea, or so ten are labeled simply oolong. And when you order, the best idea of what you might take home are a glance at the tea when its poured onto its lid before you, and a chance to smell what the mystery dried plant may unveil. The canisters are arranged with prices high to low, so you are to assume that the higher quality teas would follow suit to price. They slap a label with 'Green Oolong Tea' and send you on your merry way. If you enjoyed your tea at home and wanted to purchase more, you'd have no way of knowing which tea you purchased.
With 74 tea stores in Taiwan alone, you'd wonder why they have had so much success in this business model-food and hospitality.
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