Scented Leaf

The Scented Leaf is a popular tea house on University boulevard right next to the U of A campus. It is not necessarily an "Asian" tea shop, but it does have a variety of things that give it a very relaxed and zen feeling, from Asian influences. They have several wooden tables and chairs, a very comfortable couch and plush pillows, and some really great teas. I am not a fan of the teas that taste like fruit juice, so I tend to order Jasmine tea, Ginger tea, Gunpowder Temple of Heaven (a green tea), or Dark Rose tea. I would absolutely recommend people go there and try some of the teas, and also just experience the vibe and atmosphere of it. It's hard to find another place like it.

Some of the Asian art found in the shop. Above the table is a picture of the Terracotta Army in China, and right underneath it is a fabric piece of lily pads and flowers, in a very Chinese style. Also the darker woods and the plants all around sort of mimic a Chinese or Japanese garden.

More of the plants. Also some of the pieces (such as the pink lantern) and the metal bowl are Asian style. The coloring of the lantern is more contemporary but that lantern looks like one that you would find in China. And again, all of the plants remind me of a peaceful Asian inspired garden.

 

The tree mural painted on the other wall. The shape of the branches and the moss covered trunk remind me of bonsai trees. And the colors of the leaves to me also look like the Japanese maple tree leaves.