B. Holm
User's reviews
-
The Teacup
My wife and I stopped in this teahouse/shop while passing through Seattle recently. I found it on this web site. We wanted to see if they had any interesting loose teas available that I haven't tried before. I am an avid tea drinker, owning many teas myself and am always looking for new and unusual teas to add to my collection. <br><br> We didn't have time to sit down and order tea this trip so I can't comment on how well they serve their teas to sit-down customers. We just wanted to purchase some loose tea to take with us. <br><br> We were immediately greeted by a gentleman behind the counter who offered to help us. His knowledge of their teas was excellent and appeared to frequent and enjoy many of the teas himself. He presented the tins for inspection and sniffing and offered advice on each. He prepared and offered to let us sample several teas, as well as gave us free tea samples to take along with the teas we purchased. He was truely interested in helping us find what we were interested in, was obviously passionate about his product, and did a great job helping us find what we came for. <br><br> I would highly recommend this place for purchase of loose tea. They have probably close to 90 loose tea varieties in their store and over 130 on their web site... ranging the full gamut of teas (white, green, oolong, black, rooibos, herbal, tissane, etc.) I look forward to my next visit here when we come to Seattle again.
-
Tao of Tea
I am a regular customer of Tao of Tea for supplying my home with loose tea. They have an excellent variety of tea, possibly 80-90 varieties that are usually of very high quality. The owner travels to Asia and other places frequently in search of the best teas for his 3 shops in Portland.<p> Shop staff are usually knowledgeable and helpful in selecting teas you might like. They have even offered free samples of some I wanted to try bus was not sure I wanted to buy. I have found some of my all-time favorite teas here so I keep returning for more supplies.<p>Besides their loose tea in tins that you can smell and look at, they also sell tea in beautifully packaged round tins of about 4 oz size. The labeling and packaging of these tins is top notch. They also have tea pots and other tea ware for sale.<p> Next door is their restaurant where they serve organic foods and of course hot teas.
-
The Tea Zone
I have visited this tea shop numerous times. It is a favorite of my family. I get many of my teas from this store since I live within 20 miles of it. The shop is in the Pearl district of Portland, an up and coming district made from the older buildings but remodeled and trendy, plus many new buildings. It is right on a street where the new street car goes by on NW 11th. It is a small shop so seating can be crowded at times. There is seating at tables outside on the sidewalk when the weather is nice. The shop offers maybe 75-80 loose teas in tins, plus they serve hot and cold tea, bubble tea, and other hot drinks. They offer a smallish variety of foods but what they offer are excellent! I've had their scones, veggie quiche, and panini grilled sandwiches for Sunday brunch and loved every morsal! Service is courteous and fairly prompt. The flavor of the shop feels a little 'gothic' by the staff that work there but they all are friendly and helpful. I like the shop because it caters more to younger contemporary people, not a traditional victorian styled tea house. They also offer a ton of teaware, so much you wonder how they cram it all in the tiny shop. If you are looking for pots, mugs, filters, etc, they offer a large variety, more than any other store I've found in Portland. I highly recommend The Tea Zone for tea, snacks, loose tea supplies, teaware, and fun. Their menu of tea has great descriptions worth the read. If you don't visit The Tea Zone and Tao of Tea on your visit to Portland, you've missed out!!!