Stories About Tea welcomes a new international guest writer, who will contribute once a month! Meet Justus Hopmann from Germany, owner of Spherebay Manga Teehäuser. “We are selling authentic tea drinks – mainly cold – some of them blended with fruit. We strive for giving a perfect tea experience for the customer away from the usual bubble tea product.”
Who are you and what do you do within the tea industry?
My name is Justus Hopmann and I have worked in the IT industry until 2006. In 2007 i founded a startup company focusing on bringing tea and Asian experience to Europe. I was educated in Taiwan by a tea master and I am now professional in preparing ans tasting tea from Taiwan and Japan primarily.
When did your passion for tea start and how?
My passion of tea has always been present but I started to turn my hobby into a business in 2007. During my work in the IT industry Itraveled to Asia frequently and saw that there is no offering such as a tea lounge here in Europe.
Can you tell what you do at Spherebay Manga Teehäuser?
We are selling authentic tea drinks – mainly cold – some of them blended with fruit. We strive for giving a perfect tea experience for the customer away from the usual bubble tea product.
How did Spherebay Manga Teehäuser start and how big are you now?
We started in 2011 and have two stores right now – one in Cologne – Ehrenstr. 73 and one in Düsseldorf, Immermannstr. 29. The store in Cologne is quite small with only 11 seats and the one in Düsseldorf has 35 seats on two levels.
Can you describe what is so special about the teas at Spherebay Manga Teehäuser?
We use high quality tea leaves which we brew freshly before we turn it into bubble tea adding fruit and sugar.
What are your standout teas?
Jasmin Green Tea from Taiwan as well as Keemun black tea from China and also Hochicha milk tea as well as Matcha milk tea (Latte).
What is your personal favorite tea and why?
My favorite right now is Hochicha Latte with lactose free milk.
Is there a favorite food pairing with a tea you would like to recommend?
Chocolate cake blends nicely with Hochicha Latte.
What is the tea culture like in Germany?
Tea culture is growing each year. More and more people turn to drinking tea. The old fashioned English afternoon tea is being replaced more and more by cool tea based cocktails and ice cream products around tea.
