JJ Blacke’s

Leeds market used to be all greasy-​spoons and grocery stalls but places like J J Blacke’s Tea and Coffee Emporium are raising the standard of this traditional affordable collections of outlets. Sitting on the edge of market, it makes me feel like the gentrification disease that seems to be spreading around Leeds is slowly encroaching. I was put at ease when I started talking to the two men working here, assured by their accents that they were genuine Leeds folk.
They sell real coffee beans of many varieties and loose leaf tea of all kinds, from the black tea of Darjeeling to jasmine balls that expand like flowers opening in your mug. As a tea connoisseur I was over joyed to find this kind of selection. They also sell cups of tea of this quality but still at market price, cute looking home made cup cakes and tea paraphernalia — tea pots, tea cozies.

Describing itself as a tea and coffee emporium, I both applaud and admire the optimism of J.J. Blacke’s! Located in the upper part of Leeds Kirkgate Market, this newly opened stall does deliver on both specified beverages.
J.J Blacke’s sells a multitude of useful kitchen items, including storage pots, mugs, utensils and many other things. I also saw a rather magnificent cookie jar in the shape of a cow, with a look of whimsy upon its face. Many of the cow shaped cookie jars these days have a rather disinterested look, but not this one!
There is an assemblage of jars selling fairly traded loose teas and coffees, there is an excellent variety of flavours. J.J. Blacke’s also has a serving counter offering takeaway samples of its hot drinks, alongside delicious and reasonably priced cakes.
Armed with some white tea, raspberry and ginseng tea bags, I came away from the stall thinking that the market had acquired a handy place to add further quirk to its already eccentric atmosphere.