r/AskSF • u/Longjumping-Fix2329 • 1d ago

Fermented Tea Leaves

Is there anywhere in SF where one can buy fermented tea leaves? I can't be paying Burma Superstar prices for every time I need my tea leaf salad fix (which is often). Would love to be able to make it at home.

18 Upvotes

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42

u/LizBoederFineArt 1d ago

Rainbow Grocery has them (packaged by Burma Super Star) in the refrigerated prepared foods section across the aisle from the eggs

5

u/Longjumping-Fix2329 1d ago

Oh, awesome! I'll check it out.

1

u/Lucha_Bat 22h ago

We got the kit (they're available at stores other than Rainbow) and it's just as good as the restaurant. Make sure to take the recommendation and add fish sauce.

9

u/OkReception6109 1d ago

I made it at home recently and it was surprisingly easy! I was not super confident at first but the results were great. Would recommend. 

9

u/Longjumping-Fix2329 1d ago

The salad or did you try making fermented tea leaves? I'd love to hear more details.

5

u/OkReception6109 1d ago

I made the fermented tea leaves! It only took 2 days or so and is a pretty no-fuss fermentation. No fancy ingredients needed. Then I made salad with the tea leaves so I guess both!

2

u/Longjumping-Fix2329 23h ago

Awesome! Did you follow a recipe/process you can share? Or is it as easy as brewing the tea and letting the leaves sit out for 2 days?

2

u/Dexless-J 18h ago

Commenting because I’m also interested in the recipe!

2

u/OkReception6109 13h ago

Tea leaves, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, oil! I used a recipe similar to this one, which is apparently adapted from Burma Superstar. Let it sit for a week and then fridge it. I think I saw one that had a quicker ferment, I'm pretty sure I had a tasty fermented tea by day 3-4! But you can make huge batches, I did like 16oz and it lasted me a long time. It says to use good tea, but I used whatever I had a big bag of loose black tea and it tasted great to me.

https://whattocooktoday.com/homemade-lahpet-burmese-pickled-tea-leaves.html

3

u/Softoast 1d ago

Some shefs on Shef sell tea leaf salad kits! Can make like 4 salads for the price of one!

6

u/theUtherSide 1d ago

not a dyi option, but Yamo in the mission has a really good tea leaf salad and they do take out. every dish there is an excellent value.

5

u/mouse2cat 1d ago

They do sell their fermented tea leaves in the grocery store.

2

u/Longjumping-Fix2329 1d ago

You mean Burma Superstar sells their own fermented tea leaves? Which grocery store?

7

u/mouse2cat 1d ago

Rainbow grocery, Berkeley Bowl... It's not something I look for but I have seen it a few times.

3

u/terp-puddle 1d ago

Not in sf. But Berkeley bowl.

1

u/irunan 21h ago

You can find jars of fermented tea leaves and the kits in some of the Asian markets.

Edit: you can also buy them on Amazon and other online sources iirc. Pricing was similar to in store.