Why I Keep Going Back to Living Water Tea House

When people hear the word matcha they see performative, they think trendy and decide to get it for the insta stories. From what I've heard you are either a matcha lover or a matcha hater. Personally, I love it. So much so, that I have my own powder, whisk, and sifter. I make a lot of other drinks too, but this is a craving that never goes away like pad thai. Not only do I crave it, I crave making it, the process of working with the creamy texture and the quiet ritual of whisking it into a smooth, frothy drink feels so calming. Not to mention, the earthy color that coats the bowl, grounds me.

Last semester I would go to Gathers to get matcha and I had fun trying all their new flavors. Gathers is always filled with people, as everyone knows UIC runs on gathers, but this semester I've discovered this new place that I've been going to. Living Water Tea House. It's pretty far down Taylor street, on Laflin. It's a small shop that's usually very quiet. They have a decent amount of seating, and one of the things I love about this place is its never crowded. Every time I walk in, my favorite spot by the window is always open. Sunlight spills gently across the table, stretching over the smooth surface and warming the space just enough to feel calm, never too bright or overwhelming.

Something that is really important to me is study spots. Living Water Tea House has many unique options such as cushions and a floor level table, and a variety of wooden seating as well. The people who work there are really warm. Whoever makes my drink always says that they can remake it for free if it's not to my liking, however it's never not to my liking. They use ceremonial grade powder, and they even sell it in the store. I use a different ceremonial grade powder when I make them at home and I used to enjoy them... until I started going here.

Other than matcha, they have a variety of teas to try! Something I admire about their fruit teas is that it actually has a sweetness. I love that their matcha is rich and it has less sweetness so the earthy flavors really stand out! And of course they have the option of selecting the sugar amount personalized to your liking. Another thing I really like is that they have a literal tree in the middle of their store. Despite it being fake, like my boyfriend It really makes it feel like it's warmer than it really is which is perfect with the cold Chicago springs we tend to get. The natural light that is able to enter the store really helps add to the "homeyness" of the place. There are no harsh lights so it eases your eyes that are already straining from looking at your computer screen.

Today in particular was a good day to go. It was raining and humid at the same time. I felt disgusting and gross from the weather so I used the tea house as my shelter. I took my usual spot by the window and looked outside. The sky stayed soft and gray and everything felt a little slower. As I sat, I could hear the steady rhythm of the rain tapping against the glass, not too loud, just enough to be calming. It blurred everything outside, turning the busy street dreamlike. People rushed by holding their umbrellas, cars passed with that soft splashing sound on the wet sidewalks, but inside, none of it reached me. I was wrapped in the warmth of my tea. There was something so comforting about being inside, dry and warm and watching the rain fall without having to be in it. It made everything feel softer—my thoughts, the atmosphere, even the pressure of getting work done.

Although I appreciate the quietness of the store, I hope you all get to experience Living Water Tea once before the school year ends!

*all photos taken by me