A Tea Palace in the Garden
Tea Palace
Mon - Sat
10.00am - 7.00pm
Sun
11.00am - 6.00pm
12 The Market Building
Covent Garden, London
WC2E 8RF
GEO:51.512,-0.122834
Phone: 020 7836 6997
Website
Just as we all became a nation of coffee experts, comfortably ordering fiendishly complex combinations every morning, now a similarly exotic change is happening in the world of tea. If you thought the height of tea sophistication was swapping that builders’ cuppa for Earl Grey then think again, because Covent Garden’s Tea Palace sells over 100 brews from every corner of the globe.
“Very few of us have ever had the opportunity to enjoy a proper cup of tea,” says Tea Palace founder Tara Calcraft.
She points out that the quality of the tea we drink is relatively poor as most of the tea used in popular branded teabags is of a low grade and typically includes 15 to 30 different teas blended together. It’s a bargain basement blend and true tea lovers would be wise to upgrade.
“The more I delved into the tea industry the more passionate I became and discovered that there is a whole world of tea, most of which the British consumer has never had the chance to taste. Like wine, teas vary by harvest, by estate, by country and even what time of year the tea is grown, yet it is all largely undiscovered here. Over 90% of teas drunk here are black blends made with the lowest grade leaves, yet there are single estate black teas, green teas from China and Japan, oolongs (semi-fermented teas) and white tea just waiting to be enjoyed.”
If all this seems slightly daunting then fret not, as there are ‘tea masters’ on hand to talk the uninitiated through the 100 types of teas and infusions available.
These range from the first flush 2009 Darjeelings which were rushed fresh from picking, to the rarest white teas that can only be picked from a Chinese province for a few weeks every year.
The numerous health benefits of tea are also recognised with an exclusive range of herbal infusions specifically blended according to Ayurvedic recipes. A highlight for the health conscious, these certified organic infusions have been developed to treat a range of health concerns and the range includes Immune Boost, Healing Hand, Harmony and the popular Sweet Dreams.
There are also some black teas on sale with specific health benefits, such as Puerh Imperial, which is prized for its ability to aid the body to break-down fat and boost the metabolism.
“Tea is a truly global beverage,” says Tara. “With our new Covent Garden store, we have brought together some of the world’s most fascinating and exquisite blends.”
This is no storm in a teacup – London’s most sophisticated brews are ready to be discovered.
