Did you know that over three billion cups of tea are consumed around the world every day? While coffee may be the beverage on every hipster’s lips, a growing number of people are choosing to quench their thirst these days with a traditional cup of freshly brewed tea. If you’re a tea lover looking for your fix, here are some places to try around Jozi.
Contessa
Rita and Richard Churches run Contessa, a specialist tea shop in Rivonia which stocks approximately 152 different teas including their own imported range of loose leaf teas, as well as the entire Twinings range and some new organic Hyson tea flavours. Try out the delectable Coconut Snow, Moroccan Mint or Masala Chai tea as well as a slice of their delicious Amarula carrot cake to go with it.
The Tea Merchant
With stores in Melrose Arch, Clearwater, Fourways and Bryanston, among others, visit The Tea Merchant to pick up a tea-centric gift for someone else or a treat for yourself. There are over 13 categories of tea to choose from including fruit teas, flower teas, green teas and red espresso. You can also buy all manner of tea accessories such as cast-iron pots for the stove, squirrel-shaped tea infusers and specialist silicone tea thermometers.
54 on Bath
While 54 on Bath is renowned for its decadent high tea food experience, the tea alone is reason enough to visit. With specialist timers imported from abroad, you can choose the strength of your tea as sands slip silently through a nifty hourglass. Choose from Jasmine Pearls, a fragrant Chinese green tea blended with jasmine blossoms, or French Earl Grey: a black tea infused with citrus and French blue cornflowers.
Gwefey Tea House
Tea drinking is an ancient custom that’s synonymous with many Asian cultures. Head to Gwefey in Sandton City to pick up some jujube ginger tea which is known to cure arthritis, insomnia and various skin problems. Or try the Rose Lotus tea or some Lavender Lemon tea. As well as being a tea shop, Gwefey also serves traditional Asian dishes in its stylish theatrical interior.
See for yourself
011 234 6641
011 344 8500
011 783 7226
Words: Belinda Mountain
Images: Supplied
