I am such a tea fanatic now that it’s strange to remember that there was a time when I didn’t like tea. I tried to brew a cup for a friend who was feeling ill on our first trip to London, and I left the tea bag in for 10 minutes or so (with no milk or sugar). It was truly disgusting. I didn’t (still don’t) like iced tea, and I couldn’t get into hot tea either – until I started working at the Ground Floor.
This was, admittedly, a bit odd, since the Ground Floor was a coffee shop which made reputedly wonderful lattes, mochas, cappuccinos and espressos. We had regulars who loved our drip coffee and our americanos; my dad would drop in frequently for a small mocha. I grew to love making the first pot in the morning, sniffing the air as the rich, earthy smell of beans began to fill the dim, quiet shop. But I still didn’t (still don’t) like the taste. It was too bitter and strong for me.
Barb, my manager, introduced me to our 50+ Republic of Tea blends, spread out on two glass shelves behind the counter. We had black teas, green teas, organic herbal teas – even exotic white teas and rooibos red teas, all of which were unfamiliar to me. They came in slender round tins and had names that sang – straightforward ones like Chamomile Lemon and British Breakfast, Zen-sounding ones like Temple of Health and The People’s Green Tea, African ones like Good Hope Vanilla and Botswana Blossom, and wonderfully creative ones like Jasmine Jazz and Mate Latte. Barb let me sample whichever ones I wanted, and I can still hear her voice as she moves behind the counter, pulling tins off the shelves.
“Oh, smell this one. And this one. And look at the flowers in this looseleaf one. Aren’t they pretty? This one’s great in the morning. I love this one. Oh, and this one is even better iced.”
The iced one in question was Blackberry Sage, which she brewed and iced for me right then and there. And last week, I ordered a whole tin of it, and I’ve been drinking it in the mornings and thinking of Barb. And smiling. And thanking her for introducing me to a beverage, and a way of savouring the moment, that I can’t imagine my life without.
cakes, tea and dreams 
You’ve hit it on the head — that way of savouring the moment. I drink coffee or tea, depending on my mood. Tea is so much lighter and cleaner-feeling to me, and it really does lend itself to pausing and reflecting. The Philosophy of Tea!
Lovely post — thanks! And Happy LT!
You should try Teavana (www.teavana.com). My husband is English and he says their Lapsang Souchong is the best ever. I love their Rooibos and herbal blends. Yum!
You just made me want to go make some tea! I have always liked tea and I know just what you mean about savoring the moment with a cup of morning tea!
I, too, LOVE tea!! I’m going to have to check out Republic of Teas. I also need to sample Twinnings English Breakfast Tea. Any reviews??? My all-time and forever-favorite time to drink tea is in on a snowy, grey winter day by candlelight. There is something about tea, cold, and candlelight that just feeds and satisfies my sould and spirit. Bless you, Katie
I like tea. you have made me fetch a cup of tea while going through your blog. It’s interesting. Happy Blogging.
I just sat down with a cup of tea to catch up on friends’ blogs since I’ve missed a month somehow. Reading your posts is much like sitting in a coffee shop – or tea shop – relaxing, pondering, considering poems and beaches and books and friendships. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You’re a favourite! 🙂
[…] like going back to what was then a frustrating atmosphere for all of us. On top of that, my favorite coffee shop closed, my parents moved out of the house I grew up in, and most of my friends stopped coming home […]
I am a die-hard tea lover and ADORE the Republic of Tea’s Blackberry Sage! The combination of flavors and scents is perfect for bedtime—and ‘snowy, grey winter days’ with or without candlelight. 😉
[…] for Wisdom.” I don’t know if it works, but I love this blend that takes me back to my days at The Ground Floor. 7. Republic of Tea Cranberry Blood Orange – Tart, tangy and wonderful. (H&S Cranberry […]
[…] exists in my head a mirage of that perfect cafe – which bears a striking resemblance to the Ground Floor, the coffeehouse where I worked in college). The Ground Floor was my cafe, the first one I ever […]