In my view, the most inconspicuous shop in the middle of Pearl Street, Ku Cha House of Tea, boasts the most charming and serene cafe in Boulder.
Rong Pan and her husband Qin Liu, the owners of the Ku Cha House of Tea, opened their very first location in 2005. Since then, the tea house has swapped locations four times around Boulder and has opened up new branches in Old Town in Fort Collins and around Denver.
Since its opening, the House of Tea has gained a large following both on the news and through social media, with over 1.5K followers on both Instagram and Facebook. Loyal tea fanatics praise both the quality and authenticity of their tea selection, with over 170 different varieties of tea represented in their newest location in Cherry Creek Denver according to the Daily Camera. Additionally, news outlet 5280 reports that all employees go through an intensive 12 hours of training on tea, so they are adept at advising customers on their extensive tea selection.
If you have a tea enthusiast in your life, Ku Cha’s store is the place to go to buy a gift. They offer high-quality tea from all over the world, including ceremonial grade matcha, herbal teas, and black tea. Their selection also includes tea ware, like tea cups, kettles, and matcha bowls.
Rong and Qin’s commitment to quality and authenticity extends beyond their tea selection, into the decor and seating arrangements of their locations. The Boulder location, located a quick 11-minute walk from Boulder High on Pearl Street and Boardway, has an extensive cafe area. This includes a tea bar that offers an impressive selection of teas and boba, a tatami seating area with low tables and cushions, as well as cafe seating overlooked by a variety of plants and a rock waterfall fountain. When asked about the seating arrangements, Boulder High student Harriet Barnett exclaims “I love their seating area, it’s so pretty!”
While Boulder High tea enthusiasts frequent this location, praising it as a good social hangout spot that offers fair prices and extensive seating, the quality of the cafe bar is under scrutiny. A self-proclaimed tea snob Zachary Frisch reports that “I don’t have the same attachment to it as a lot of people in boulder… I’m very much a tea person, so I’m probably more critical than I should be. I think the cafe drinks are overrated, but the quality of tea they sell is definitely really high quality.”
If you are looking for a place to relax after a long day or during a lunch break, the quiet tranquil atmosphere of Ku Cha can be refreshing. It is important to note that if you decide to use Ku Cha’s space as a place to decompress, their community guidelines prohibit the use of loud phone audio or taking calls from their space. Additionally, the tea house offers no WiFi. While the Pearl Street public WiFi often reaches into Ku Cha, it’s often flaky at best. Although a lack of WiFi in a cafe may feel unprecedented, it can present a much-needed opportunity to take a break from technology.
In addition to visiting the Boulder Location, I stopped by the Ku Cha House of Tea in Old Town in Fort Collins. This location is much smaller than Boulder’s location but still holds true to the level of authenticity Ku Cha strives to uphold. I noticed a large number of college and high school students due to CSU’s close proximity to the Tea House, a 5-minute drive or an 18-minute walk for students or anyone touring the area. Local Poudre student Miguel Marquez Vazques recommends stopping by the Tea house if you visit Fort Collins, “I would recommend going there, it’s a great place to hang out!”
Prized for its quality and authenticity, Ku Cha’s many locations have made it a prized addition to Colorado’s front range, and a worthwhile place to check out for anyone interested in tea or who just wants a relaxing place to unwind.
