Located at Happy Mansion, a cluster of apartment blocks built in the 1970s, this tea café was opened in 2018, much to the delight of its many customers – young and old – who often drop by for a cuppa.
The café’s main attraction is its tea bar, set against the backdrop of an eye-catching selection of mini teapots and other earthenware on shelves.
Stationed behind the counter is the cafe’s co-owner and primary tea brewer Lau Siow Fei, 38, who can be often seen preparing cups of hot tea for her guests.
A former production manager who used to spend 12 to 18 hours on set every day, Lau said she gave up her corporate job in search of “something else that was more soul-fulfilling”.
Long fascinated with Chinese tea, Lau travelled to China and Japan to study how tea was brewed there and to sample the many varieties available.
She soon realised that brewing tea was something of an art form, requiring special attention to fragrance and the type of leaves used as well as the temperature of the water.
When she was confident of her ability in brewing the perfect cup of tea, she decided to open her own tea bar. With the support of her partner, Mahen Bala, a local documentarian and visual artist, ‘Tanah dan Air’ was born.
Today, the café serves 17 types of Chinese hand-brewed teas, four types of cold brews and a variety of fresh brews. And breaking with tradition, coffee is also served as well as a selection of homemade desserts.
“There is no tea bar in the country where tea aficionados can chit chat while having someone brew it for them,” Lau said, adding that she also wanted it to be a cosy spot where random strangers could strike up a conversation with each other.
Tasting notes
As repulsive as it sounds, “duck shit tea” that originates from the Phoenix Mountain in the Guangdong province of China, is actually rather delicious. But why the vile name you ask? It is merely a direct translation of its Chinese moniker – ya shi xiang.
Preparing the tea is like a ritual. Once the leaves are sufficiently steeped in hot water, the tea is poured into tiny white cups that Lau is ever ready to refill once emptied.
Another tea known for its unique taste is Liu Bao or “labourers tea”. Lau explained that this tea has been preserved since the 90’s and was usually consumed by Chinese labourers after a rough and tough day at the plantation, mining quarry or construction site.
Today, Liu Bao is enjoyed by many, transcending the boundaries of age, time and social status. Slightly darker in colour, the black tea has a slightly bitter taste.
Feeling peckish for something to complement your brew? Try the café’s banana chocolate tuak cake, golden tortoise red bean jelly and pu erh ice cream, among others.
Tanah dan Air
CG3b Happy Mansion
Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17
46400 Petaling Jaya
Business Hours:
1.00pm-7.00pm: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
1.00pm-8.00pm: Saturday, Sunday
Contact number: 011-2139 8599