Veronica Williams
From the ancient Chinese tea ceremonies to colonial America, tea is an important part of history. Today tea is enjoyed by many as a caffeine alternative but also for the many herbal blends that have a long list of health benefits. Veronica Williams (pictured), reviews some of Nashville’s Tea Shops.
Specialty teas are becoming common in coffee shops and grocery stores and Nashville is not missing out on any of the action. There are several spots to check out and get your next cup of tea.
High Garden
Tea I Tried: Wildflower Jasmine Iced Green Tea
Location: East Nashville
This whimsical tea shop boasts hundreds of tea, herbs, spices, and everything for your tea and herbal needs. The shop has a tea bar and several tables in the back for you to enjoy your hot or cold cup of wonder. On this particularly hot summer day after encouragement from everyone behind the tea bar I opted for the Wildflower Jasmine Iced Green Tea with no sweetener. The floral notes were so sweet, anything extra would have been overpowering. Each weekend they offer several employee-crafted beverages that will send your taste buds to bliss.
Their walls are filled with teas and herbs and their staff can direct you beyond your cup of tea to finding a tea that suits your particular health needs. Teas to help with detoxing, sleep, cramping, exhaustion, and so much more; there are teas for everything. They also can help you find herbs specific to your health needs to blend your own teas. Personally, their “Dreams” blend is one of my favorites and send me straight to dreamland every night. High Garden is constantly creating new blends and keeping their classics stocked.
The Café at Thistle Farms
Tea I tried: Iron Goddess of Mercy
Location: The Nations
After the rave review in our April issue (see it on www.purelivingnashville.com) I had to try it for myself, it’s rare you can find a spot that offers a full afternoon tea; The Café at Thistle Farms is the exception, not the rule! What started as a small tea room as expanded into an amazing Café. Offering breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea this is a fantastic spot to grab a bite to eat and hang out with good friends. They carry several brands of tea, Iron Goddess of Mercy was the bright delicious Oolong that I tasted while enjoying a great lunch with a bright Spinach & Berries salad. Created by tea enthusiast Becca Stevens she began the idea when she asked people to send her a teacup and story. 800 teacups later and this café has transformed to become an essential part of the community.
Firepot Tea Bar
Tea I Tried: Himalayan Shiiba
Location: 12 South
What began as a small chai tea brand originating in Nashville has spread to their first tea bar. This unique tea bar puts extensive thought and care into each tea they brew. Firepot’s first brick and mortar store features loose leaf teas, freshly steeped teas, and specially crafted tea-inspired drinks as well as grab-and-go drinks crafted by founder Sarah Scarborough.
“I am excited to share the tea lifestyle with Nashville by offering everything from fresh, healthy, hand-crafted tea drinks to some of my favorite teas from around the world. We will have an inspiring collection of tea books and a wide selection of tea wares from rare to every day,” says Scarborough. “Tea leads everyone on a different journey and I am honored to provide a platform to facilitate that journey for new tea drinkers and connoisseurs alike.”
Carrying an area of loose leaf teas, unique iced drinks, and their original tea Firepot is an experience that can be shared by casual tea drinkers and the tea counselor. If you are a tea connoisseur much like myself you may find that you love the Himalayan Shiiba, this rich earthy tea, a semi-oxidized tea from Nepal it leaves a rich flavor in the mouth that you will not soon forget. This tea can be found on their Masters and Pioneers list which will showcase unique seasonal teas. But don’t worry their incredibly knowledgeable staff can lead you in the best direction of your taste buds and give you a unique experience from each tea.
Honorable Mentions:
Davis Cookware and Cutlery (Hillsboro Village) – This cookware store would not be your first guess for good tea, but their selection of loose leaf teas has always rivaled those at many tea stores. Although it’s lacking a tea bar, if you want to experiment with brewing your tea at home it’s a great place to get a few to try!
Music City Tea (Franklin, TN) – Steeped in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies, Music City Tea offers a traditional tea ceremonies and utensils. Here you can not only find a variety of teas from all around the world but you can find a wide variety of teapots and accessories. Check out one of their tea ceremonies soon!
Dose Coffee (West End Area) – One of Nashville’s favorite coffee stops Dose offers tea, coffee, and food all day (with many being breakfast items, yum!). Their teas are refreshing and well brewed. Pair a hot cup of White Peach alongside their Roasted Tomato Tartine and you have a breakfast anyone would be jealous of.
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