Every now and then, you happen upon something so great you have to share. Today is one of those days for me. My new favorite spot is Teavana. I spent the day visiting a friend. At one point she asked if I would like something to drink. I said no. At which time, she began to say that she knew I didn’t drink coffee and proceeded to offer me tea. As much as I love food, I love tea equally as much, if not more. I asked what type of tea she had and was amazed as she retrieved a box from her kitchen cabinet. This is a moment I will never forget. As she began to explain the contents of the box, I was able to explore the aromas of the tea and to read the enclosed catalog with various descriptions of a large collection of teas. Suffice it to say, I wasted no time getting over to the mall to get a personal tour of the little tea shop. Venturing into the store offered an aromatic journey not to be forgotten any time soon. Before entering the double doors, the sweet, fruity, spicy, nutty aromas tantalize the senses. Upon entry, the colors of the cast iron teapots and teacups dance around the walls. I was greeted by a lovely young lady by the name of Caitlyn. I guess it was kind of hard for her to not greet me seeing as I had a big Koolaid grin as I walked in. My happiness and excitement made her smile and grin. I could easily say that I was like a kid in a candy store, but it was much more than that. In the very near future, I will take another trip to the store to capture some pics to give you a better idea of the awesomeness that awaits anyone who is fascinated by tea and the history of. To make the experience even more amazing, the Teaologist walked my husband and me through various tins of White, Green, Oolong, Black, Rooibos and Herbal teas. We even had the opportunity to taste the dry version of one that included popcorn as an ingredient. I was in complete disbelief. But, there was literally white popcorn mixed into the Strawberry Paraiso (a white tea). Fascinating. Needless to say, we spent about an hour sampling tea and asking questions. Just before our departure, Caitlyn offered to make me a cup of tea. For $4.99, I was able to purchase a 16oz custom, fresh brewed cup. I requested a blend of the Imperial Acai Blueberry (white) and the Dragonfruit Devotion (herbal). I can honestly say that I have never had a cup of tea until today. Best cup, hands down. An added bonus to the fragrant full-bodied tea was the German Rock Sugar, which rendered a slight sweetness without altering the flavor of the tea. I can’t imagine ever going back to BIG BOX brands of tea in the little boxes with the cute bears and pumped up claims of antioxidants and “health” benefits. If you love tea or just want to explore tea in all of its splendor, I urge you to saunter into your nearest Teavana or go to the online store, at http://www.teavana.com. There is bound to be a tea to suit your individual taste and life style. Whether you are looking for sinus relief, arthritis relief, weight-loss, or just a nice relaxing cup, there is something for everyone. In store, I gazed upon 98 different tins. Online, there are more than 100 to choose from. Surely my first cup won’t be my last.
The front of my 16oz cup of Joy
The back of my cup
A view from the top. The beautiful plum color is indicative of the fruity flavor. Strong notes of berries with a heady aroma.
apeaceofmine 