Owner and tea guru, Kenneth Rimdahl, a native of Sweden, took residence in Chiang Mai in 2012 inspired by the region’s wild and semi-wild tea resources. Visit his tea compound in Wat Gate to sample some unusual varieties of natural teas (hot and iced), some with natural flavorings. Chef Eak serves up some regional delicacies that are related to tea; Lahu hilltribe lunch platter, Burmese tea leaf salad or my favorite the tea paste fried chicken. The space is vast, with private tasting rooms, shop and café.
Monsoon Tea, 238 Charoenrat Road (across from Embassy Condominum), Wat Gate, Chiang Mai, Tel 052 007 758
**NEW BRANCH in One Nimman, Nimmanhaemin Road**