Century-old herbal tea shop
- 8 Cochrane Street, Central
- Mon-Sat 9am-8pm
A century of healthy tea
Mr Lam’s great grandfather was already into Chinese herbs back in Panyu in Guangdong Province. His grandfather moved to Hong Kong and started Good Spring in 1916, right across from the current store. During the golden days in 1940s & 50s, the Lams were well-known Chinese doctors and had three stores selling medicinal herbs and tea with over 60 employees. Like many traditional stores, Good Spring provided lunch, dinner, and accommodation for their staff. There was even a business association for herbal tea shops back then!
Craftsmanship
Martin Lam, the third-generation owner of Good Spring, took over when he just graduated from business school. It was not easy. It took him two years to know the herbs and their benefits. He continued to study and finally registered as Chinese doctor in 2002. “It’s a craft, we still do it by hand here on the second floor following my grandfather’s recipes. Only when chopping and boiling and mixing right will the herbs be effective.”
We use exactly 24 types of ingredients. Every ingredient has to be cooked just right and we add them layer by layer.
Signature 24-herbs-tea
“Our bestsellers are 24-herbs-tea and herbal jelly!” shares Martin proudly. The bitter brew is a popular cure for headaches, cold, sore throat and digestion. Martin still uses a secret recipe left by his grandfather, “we use exactly 24 types of ingredients. Every ingredient has to be cooked just right and we add them layer by layer. You can’t just mix it up.”
Standing firm in 21st century
Good Spring has witnessed every change in Central, small shophouses replaced by tall skyscrapers and office workers replacing the usual kaifong (街坊) crowd. Still, Martin sells over a thousand cups of herbal tea every day.