To a tea

by Carissa Wills-DeMello

From damp alleyway cafes to sun-drenched Asian streets, tea and its slow enjoyment is an integral part of cultures around the world.

And with nearly half of Americans now turning to tea as their go-to wake-up beverage, tea culture is becoming American, too! Herbal teas and black teas, tisane and infusion; tea varieties are as plentiful as the universal love for it. So loved is tea that it is nearly the most-sipped beverage globally, second only to water. Perhaps it is the pervasive feeling that tea is much more than a mere hot drink. Many would say that tea is medicine for the body and soul. Herbal infusions have long been turned to for health maintenance, and who hasn’t heard of green tea for memory enhancement? Tolstoy himself once said: “I must drink lots of tea or I cannot work. Tea unleashes the potential which slumbers in the depth of my soul.” Whether you seek to unleash the sleeping potential within your soul, or maybe just broaden your horizons, here’s a lineup of local tea waiting to be discovered.

Farmacy Herbs

This herbal apothecary and education center is tucked away on 28 Cemetery Street (off North Main Street) in Providence, and a visit feels like a trip back in time. Every wall is lined with jars full of plentiful herbs and handmade apothecary wares. It’s a perfect place to fill your cup with quality teas and your brain with knowledge. Customers can shop on their own for a wide variety of loose herbs or blended teas, like the Winter Warm-Up, a blend of herbs and spices that is sure to get your blood flowing from nose to toes this time of year! Many of the herbs you’ll find there are grown organically at their West Greenwich farm, and the shop is always staffed with knowledgeable herbalists eager to help you make the selections just right for you! Check them on Facebook.

Seven Arrows Farm

At Seven Arrows Farm, at 346 Oakhill Avenue in Seekonk, you can not only find any herb or tea you’re looking for, but ones you aren’t, too! And lucky for you, at Seven Arrows you can pick any tea herb you’d like, from Alfalfa to Yerba Mate, and get a pot full to enjoy in their homey apothecary. Nestled in the corner of the shop is a tiny space with comfy chairs and picture windows where you can enjoy your french press of tea at your own pace. It’s the perfect place to bring a big book and take your time. On a warmer day, you can also take that hot cuppa on a stroll through their whimsical zen gardens and shop their landscaping inventory. For more, visit sevenarrowsfarm.com.

Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage

For those looking for the quintessential tea experience, look no further than Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage at 25 West Main Street in North Kingstown (Wickford). Named in honor of her grandmother, owner Lindsey Andrews has given the space every ounce of old-fashioned appeal you’d dream of. Lace doilies, delicate china cups, tasty sweets: it’s just what you would imagine a tea house to be. From Thursday to Sunday noon to 2 p.m., you can make a reservation for a full tea service. Their afternoon service offers a decadent, three-tiered serving of scones, sandwiches, and sweets. All complete, of course, with a steaming bottomless pot of tea! For a full menu visit sweetmariestea.com.

Ceremony Cafe & Market Ceremony, found at 406 Brook Street in Providence, is yet another tea house, but reimagined. This modern tea house is focused on bringing customers a unique tea experience; a blend of traditional Japanese and Chinese tea ceremony within an accessible setting. Ceremony works directly with singleestate farms and producers across Asia to source ecologically sustainable products, and that dedication shows. They offer traditional tea ceremonies as well as cocktail mixology. Talk about a modern take on an ancient practice! Ceremony is the place to go when you want a special outing with friends, a place to be present, and to simply enjoy the tea experience. For hours and events visit ceremonypvd.com.

Hot Recipes

the region’s coastal charms. Their new property was a former tomato farm, perfect for supporting the couple’s new hobby: raising chickens. Fortunately for them, they had a knack for it. Before too long, the Bishops had more eggs than they knew what to do with. They began selling the surplus, and learning about how to expand the farm in a healthy and sustainable way. To give a sense of how successful this expansion has been, the farm’s chicken population has ballooned from the original 20 to over 3000. While her husband has kept his IT job, Ester has been able to commit herself to the farm full-time. She prides herself on providing her animals with joyful, stressfree lives. “People should know where their food comes from – you can really taste the difference,” said Bishop. High-C Tea: Rose Hips, Hibiscus, Elderberry Vit-a-Min: Nettles, Alfalfa, Oatstraw, Lemon Balm, Peppermint Belly Nice: Dandelion, Ginger, Peppermint, Marshmallow Leaf Wind Down: Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Oatstraw, Rose Awaken: Yerba Mate, Peppermint, Holy Basil Lovers of tea can get their fix at these local tea houses and apothecaries, and then bring the goods home to create on their own. Looking for a place to start? Try these easy-to-love recipes perfect for the colder months. Simply blend the herbs in equal parts and steep one tablespoon per cup for 5-10 minutes depending on your desired strength.

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