Yes, you are probably aware that the month of January is designated “Hot Tea” month. As a voracious tea drinker, every day is a tea day and consuming tea many times a day is normal. My temperature preference for my passion, leans towards hot or room temperature brew, and less toward the cold or ice tea offerings. This includes the summer months as well.
I recently saw a posting by Babette Donaldson with a very creative idea for tea education/information for this January’s annual focus. Babette has committed to creating a daily video on a variety of wonderful aspects of tea during this month. She will include a host of topics for the mainstream consumer, that will be very helpful for those delving into the world of tea. Sorry Robert this also includes tea bags.
Inspired by Babette, this month I will attempt to:
- Visit new tea establishments in the area
- Report about them here
- Enjoy a new tea I have not tried, daily
So on this first day of “Hot Tea” month prompted by this invitation,
I found myself headed down to Nolita to visit T Shop , I thought to myself “I cannot think of a better way to start off my New Year” I invited my wonderful daughter to join me on this adventure and was so pleased she acquiesced.
T Shop is a two and a half month old tea bar that has been on my list since the opening. The shop had been mentioned to me a few months ago by Nicole Martin, Tea For Me Please. I had not read her write up until after my visit and wished I would have prior. Her accurate description of the location logistics would have prevented my getting a bit lost in finding the spot.
When we arrived Yuki, the shops co-owner and business manager was very busy setting up for a group of patrons who were there for a table brewing experience.
We waited a short while and admired the lovely tea ware that lined the shelves. The beautiful items were so special it was obvious they were hand chosen and many, one of a kind.
We were soon seated at the tea bar and presented with a tea menu for our tasting choice. I decided to try the Moonlight White Raw Pu-Erh, a tea, I had not had the pleasure of meeting before.
Theresa, the shops tea specialist and co-owner brewed the tasting for us in traditional gongfu cha style with precision and grace. Watching the technique always takes me into a calm restful state in preparation for the joy of the brew I am about to sip.
Moonlight White Raw Pu-Erh has an intoxicating aroma. In addition to having a sweet nectar flavor, this tea is impressively smooth, full-bodied and creamy. It possesses a distinctive flowery, fruity flavor. For those uncomfortable with the earthiness and strength of regular Pu-Erh tea, this is a great alternative. There is the taste of green tea and white tea at the first few brews. And then it changes to a leaning toward oolong/black.
In a matter of minutes, after our first 2 infusions, we were joined by others who had come to share in the New Years Tea Party. I became pleasantly aware of the construct of the bar set up as others joined. Unlike another tea bar I have frequented, that places patrons on high stools and the host on a raised platform behind the bar, T Shops bar is closer to the ground, and has the host at the same level as the patrons, an aspect of design that lends itself to shared experience and conversation.
I am not a very chatty person, although in this arena I found myself making introductions to the persons who joined us and to the others sitting at the bar. This is highly unusual for me, and I was so glad I did, as conversations ensued and I met two lovely tea aficionados, Judy and Gabrielle. We talked tea, infusions, tea ware, music, art and dance.
I found out after the fact there was another Tea Blogger at the bar who left before I had the chance to formally meet her, Georgia, Notes On Tea was also there for the party. Hopefully, we will get another opportunity in the future.
In the continuing conversation with Theresa, she shared how many of the tea ware items were chosen and of her relationship with each piece.
As she began to speak of this, you could sense the love and care she has put into her journey.
I will be back soon to enjoy another brew with Theresa and Yuki as this was one of the nicer tea experiences I have had recently and I am longing to return.
Thank you ladies for creating such a wonderful and serene space for us to enjoy tea.
T Shop; 247 Elizabeth Street, Manhattan
TASTING $10
EXPERIENCE A TEA TASTING WITH OUR EXPERT. WE WILL SERVE YOU 5 STEEPINGS OF THE TEA OF YOU CHOICE.
BREW AT THE TABLE $25
SHARE A POT OF TEA AND HAPPY BREWING AT THE TABLE WITH YOU FRIENDS. TEA (10g) OF YOUR CHOICE IS PROVIDED. A POT OF TEA CAN BE SHARED BY MAXIMUM 4 PEOPLE.
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I will enjoy following you in this new “challenge”.
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Thank you for your support
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Looks like you had a great time. Can’t wait to see what more is in store this month.
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So far, that’s one place on our list for next time. 1/1. Also like the sound of the tea.