Tucked away amid a sprinkling of brightly colored cottage-like boutiques and cafes, you will find The Tea House. This treasure-trove of tea first appeared on the Sarasota scene in the fall of 2013, and has been filling dainty cups with an astounding variety of the fragrant beverage ever since.
A whimsical country garden setting – complete with hanging ceramic teapots, flashes of paradise pink hibiscus and a collection of vivid wrought iron furniture – immediately transports you away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Follow the rugged garden path to the brilliant blue cottage, with an inviting red door that beckons you to discover the lovely libations inside.
The tea options are endless – rows of gleaming silver tins filled with fragrant leaves line a huge shelf behind the counter, and every corner is decorated with tea-inspired trinkets. There are 19 pages of tea to choose from – and all are ethically sourced, herbicide and pesticide free.
We decide on a Bombay Chai and a pot of flowering tea, and while we waited, there was some exploring to do.
Tea time!
The flowering tea – a hint of peach and jasmine swirls around the hand-tied blooms, creating a light and delicate flavor.
We sip and chat away amid an atmosphere that's totally different from a coffee house. Here, it's relaxed. People are taking their time and enjoying each others company - and that's exactly what Jill, the owner, envisioned when she opened The Tea House.
“I have always loved tea, and there was nothing like this in Sarasota” she tells us. “For centuries, tea houses around the world have always been places for conversation and interaction. There’s more to tea – it’s not just a drink, it’s an experience”.
After this visit, we couldn’t agree more! If you would like to experience The Tea House, you will find it at 1869 Fruitville Road in the Gillespie Park area of downtown Sarasota.
