tea please
Filed Under Stuff | December 6, 2011
‘Tis the season where trying to stay warm becomes top priority — from the clothes we wear to the number of hot beverages we consume. So there’s nothing we love more than a roaring fire, woolen socks, and a huge mug of tea. And thanks to Tealish, we’ve just found a new favourite for our cup.
Michael Rachmel and Laura Chodola started Queen West’s Tealish, a “modern tea boutique”, in 2005. Michael, who is so passionate about tea he could probably convert even the most hard-core coffee drinker, only started drinking tea after trying it in loose-leaf form. Before that, his sipping experience consisted of tea made from big brand tea bags, which was consumed only when sick. So he and Laura decided to open Tealish so others could learn how “vibrant and exciting” the world of premium tea can be. In its trendy Queen West digs, Tealish stocks 130 different varieties of tea, which are carefully sourced from tea estates in countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, and India. They only buy from fair trade, high altitude estates – so the tea that tastes so good is also, well, good for everyone. Plus, high altitude tea is the best tea and Tealish’s offerings are proof of that.
We had a chance to sample a number of varieties, like Tranquilitea, which uses whole chamomile flowers rather than just the dust commonly used in other brands. We also fell in love with the black dessert tea, Patisserie, and wish we could infuse its smell into our house 24-7. Chocolate Mint Rooibos is our new go-to after dinner beverage, with hints of dark chocolate and refreshing mint. Plus, we love the benefits of Rooibos (a wild-growing herb from South Africa), which include anti-oxidants and digestive support. And because it’s naturally caffeine-free, Rooibos teas are perfect for pregnant mamas and kiddos. The herbal tea we tried, Toasty Almond, was so tasty (and pretty – it brews a bright shade of pink) we’re opting to ditch our 3 pm coffee, and make this our midday pick-me-up instead.
Many of the Tealish varieties come in gorgeous tins, which at $15 are perfect stocking stuffers and hostess or teachers’ gifts…because we all know teachers have more than enough mugs to enjoy their tea in! Tealish also offers plenty of tea accessories to help you make the perfect cup, and you can buy everything online.
Now we can’t wait for Jack Frost to arrive so we can put the fire on and settle in with a steaming mug of Tealish tea. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…
Tealish: www.tealish.com
728 Queen Street West
Toronto
416.203.3301
Yo Mamas! Want to learn more about tea? Visit the Tealish blog.
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