11.28.07
Imaginary Tea Shop
posted by Regena Rafelson | 16 comments
Wordstock - a writing conference in workshop format - was held at Portland’s beautiful convention center on Martin Luther King Boulevard. The first day, Friday, was planned with teachers in mind, offering small group sessions aimed specifically at teaching writing in the classroom setting. Sponsored by Borders Books and Starbucks Coffee, presenting workshops on everything - from Writer’s Block to Catalogue Poetry to Evaluating Student Writing - by great writers, teachers and poets. What’s not to like?
Soon the proceedings started. The speaker offered a “valuable prize” for anyone who could tell what “Starbucks” was named after. My hand shot into the air, and when called upon, I bellowed “Starbucks was the first mate in Melville’s Moby Dick!“ Applause surrounded me as the speaker’s eyes lit up, “You have won FIVE Starbucks gift cards - worth $25.00. Come up here, please!” On my way to the podium, I was congratulated by dozens of people, who pleaded, “You can give me ONE of those gift cards!”
And, in every workshop session I attended, when we did the practice part? I wrote about a world where there is a tea shop in every neighborhood. Comfortable places where one is given access to not only great tea, but also a vessel that heats pure, cold water to the perfect temperature, depending on the tea. Beautiful as well as functional teapot and cups are available in cozy little dens of near privacy where one can be alone or not.
Fiction. Alas.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:24 am
I wouldn’t go to a tea shop for a better cup. Similar to a bar/pub, I would go there for the public house atmosphere. Somewhere to share a cup with others outside of a home. I can easily have a good beer or make a good cocktail in my own home, but one needs to get out more. I can make a great cup of tea at home, but a public place to bring friends and meet others is the appeal. Same business model, different products.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Besides being Ahab’s first mate, wasn’t Starbuck also from a family of colonial coffee growers/importers? Considering his fate (no spoilers here), I find the choice of his name for the chain to be ironic….
Anyway, I agree with Steven about tea shops as public gathering places–but I also think that a tea shop would be a good place to try something new in tea. Not to mention it might be a good local place to buy tea and tea accessories. And it would be a good portal to introduce people to tea (how many of us began going to coffeehouses in college as a way to pass time between classes, get a snack, people-watch, meet people?).
November 28th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Regena,
OK at the risk of telling more about myself I just have to also add that Starbuck is the name of the executive officer on the Battlestar Gallactica :). YES I actually did know about him from Moby Dick but I do also have a passion for Science Fiction as well.
I do frequent a tea shop when I’m in the neighborhood of that particular venue that is dedicated SOLEY to the wonderful world of tea and it’s proper preparation and availability of wonderful handcrafted teas and a variety of preparation methods for purchase (they also have a pretty nice light nosh menu). While this shop is about 100 miles away from my residence, I always make it a point when nearby to stop in for some light refreshment and enjoyable conversation with the staff and proprietor.
So to answer the question I would DEFINITELY go to this tea shop that you describe in your fantasy account because I believe that I’ve already been there! For further information, please see previous posting through this link:
http://www.tching.com/index.php/2007/11/12/tea-in-coffee-town/
As always, Peace to you all
Fr. Patrick
November 28th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Actually, Fr. Patrick, Starbuck is the CAG, not the XO.
I, too, agree with Steven that the social factor is an important one. After all, didn’t it provide countless opportunities, initially at least, for the revolutionary machinations necessary for the creation of an independent U.S.A.
In addition to the social component, the tea shop is the perfect place to go for opportunities to sample individual servings of different teas for greater exposure and to learn what you like. Then you can buy larger quantities of what you like, either from the tea shop or from online stores such as tchingstore.com (shameless plug).
November 29th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Sandy,
Touché, I knew that if is incorrectly listed Starbuck as the XO that somebody would correct it. It just goes to show that two GREAT passions can coexist in a single person! Here’s to hoping that some new entrepreneurs will be as successful as corporate America Starbucks to have a tea shop on every corner where they are sorely needed as a respite from our hectic modern lifestyles.
Hey, I don’t mind the shameless plug, after all I found tChing in the first place from a websearch looking for additional online sources of tea and tea culture so it was serendipitous that at my first encounter tChing was having one of their tastings (which I gratefully accepted the tChing hospitality and enjoyed EVERY last sip of my first, and not the last, tChing tea drinking experience).
As always, Peace to you all and keep drinking those teas that you like to drink!
Fr. Patrick
November 29th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Ha ha! And the actress who plays Starbuck in BG (Katie Sackhoff) is from St. Helens, Oregon! That’s probably revealing too much, but there you are. Her character doesn’t drink either coffee or tea, I believe–booze or water!
Moby-Dick is one of my favorite books of all time. You could have book groups at a tea-shop, if you had a big enough space! Or, Battlestar Gallactica Nights, for those of us who have no tv.
November 29th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Yes, Patrick and Sandy . . . tea nerds have many facets of nerdiness, and like snowflakes: no two tea nerds are quite alike. Anne, you have inspired me to read the whale tale again. . . I sort of galloped through some parts, hoping to meet the whale, and missed the “coffee-mechant -gets-it-in-the-end.” Paul, where are you? Do you think that coffee shops and tea shops could co-exist? Do you suppose we could get Starbucks to offer whole leaf tea?
November 30th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
“Would you go to a teashop? Come on, be honest.” Sure, I would! But it’s tough to find the wonderful tea shop owned and managed by tea experts which you describe, Regena. At least, not yet in the Western World.
Starbuck’s Tazo brand could be a contender and we’ve been waiting for this to develop for over a decade. But the fact is that it remains a challenge to find a single cup of hot tea served at any Starbucks’ location from Boston to Beijing. Starbucks already has the real estate in place to do the deed.
But a First Mate, after all, is not the Captain - so, this might be a very long voyage, indeed.
December 1st, 2007 at 11:50 am
Hi Regena!
Yes, the challenge of being served a decent cuppa in these lands is disheartening. I have often conjured and played with a scenario of a fine tea shop coupled with a shoe store which only sells Doc Martens! I love the dichotomy of the idea. I do believe the ceremony of boiling the water, warming the teapot, choosing the loose leaf vs. bagged and selecting the chosen leaf for the mood or time of day is calming and can become a compulsion. Social interaction prompted by the creation of the brew in a tea shop would be a big draw and a new wave of meeting places may be born. I believe a tea shop should have coffee on the menu, but only the basic kind without the $5 price tag of a skinny-double-decaff-cap . A simple with or without cream would suffice and that would put the focus back on the tea part of the shop. Any comments on what we would be willing to pay for a pot of tea. Think large tea pot for 4 people and the whole tea service shebang of chna cups, saucers, milk jug, sugar bowl, honey pot. It’s a lot of work to put a tea tray together!
December 1st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Hi Everybody, I’ve been very remiss lately, and just catching up. I am a street and people person by nature, and have been on the road a lot. Computers for me are just a tool, having grown up in the age of just radio.
Regena, Coffee and Tea are now beginning to co-exist in their purist form slowly across this fine land of ours, but only in “pockets”. The slow prep. and steeping process of whole leaf does not set well with this fast paced society of ours. Bagging companies are feverishly working on different applications to correct this imbalance. We who choose to slow down and enjoy the moment. I think have the better of it.
Once a tea bag or sachet that accepts the 3 gram whole leaf for a complete steep is proven. All will change very quickly. Starbucks and Caribou Coffee are already very aware of this shift, and the profit from it that will ensue. Smaller craft roasters are already rolling out whole leaf programs. Be patient……PJF
December 1st, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Here’s a question: could a tea shop have an express lane for those who want a quick cuppa on the go, versus service for those wanting a more involved, relaxed experience? In other words, would this kind of set-up compromise the ambiance or quality of a tea-shop?
I always hate waiting in line for a quick cup of coffee behind those who want an involved espresso drink that takes time to prepare, whereas I don’t mind waiting if I have time to linger and hang out.
December 1st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
That’s a good, fast paced America, question Anne. Fast answer YES.
Ah! but how. I would say, If this be solely a Tea Shop. Prepare and steep 30 odd cups of the most popular teas for self serve, or have a “Tea-rista” at a counter serve them out.
The owner will take a loss at first, in waste. But with acceptance and practice it could be very profitable. You should have this in an quick in quick out area of the shop (if possible) so as not to disturb the settings ambiance.
Now this is all conjecture. I am sure better retail minds than mine can come up with better methodology. Being a wholesaler, and manufacturers representative, I, again, would say the roll out of an all encompassing Tea Sachet should solve very quickly the need for speed.
Of course this destroys all of the proper preparation steeping methods, passed down through the centuries. So there, how does that sound??….PJF
December 2nd, 2007 at 1:23 am
Anne,
A wonderful idea, in fact in a small way my regular tea shop sort of does this by having two sample tea brewed daily (usually one that is either black or green and one that is one of their many herbal tisane infusions) that they keep in those nice airpots which do actually seem to keep them hot. They ALWAYS offer every customer coming in a small GLASS cup of either or both blends from the airpot and it’s a GREAT way to try new varieties without actually ordering it in a large quantity.
This could work on a larger level with a bigger pot much like they do at Barnes & Noble cafe locations for their brewed coffee selections of the day. MAYBE one Black, one Green and possibly for those who like a flavored variety could be brewed and placed into airpots to keep it at a fairly good temperature for immediate drinking. It’s NOT an ideal solution but when you don’t have the time and you really want the tea from a full leaf style this could work.
NOW if you want MORE choice in the tea, how about individual tea bags made to order from full leaf tea that can then be steeped by the individual purchaser and taken away. While I do much prefer the nice quiet time and the slower pace of going to the shop for a visit, I do understand that there is still the need for the quick prepare method. I really do prefer mine brewed to order in a pot and in a ceramic or glass mug at the shop but in a pinch I will do a take away. In short again as usual in the American Market culture at least, personal choice will probably dictate when, how, where etc. this all comes about.
As always, PEACE and keep drinking those teas that you enjoy, in whatever brew method you prefer.
Fr. Patrick
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:22 am
Good Sunday Morning to All, With about 3 to 4 inches of fresh snow and 22 degrees F. here in “sunny tropical” down town Allentown, Pa. Oh Oh!! Good Oolong drinking weather.
Father Patrick, I am very curious about this Tea Shop you speak about. The new restaurant that I am helping promote as the “flag ship” for change in Center City, will eventually need a solid non-alcoholic beverage program. It’s a cross between a Mexico City Cafe and full style Brazilian Steak House. The Executive Chef (5 Star) is Brazilian born. I’ll save the rest for my Journeys Post.
Do they have a “Web Site” showing their lay-out, and method of service??
Once Eddie (The Executive Chef & good friend) and the General Manager Ken and I convince the owners a full breakfast program and opening time is crucial. I want the T Ching Family to help us create the Ideal Tea Spot, along with Eddie’s coffee program (his family in Brazil are growers).
The Tea Room down the street is another story, that will fully unfold in my Post as it develops….PJF
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
My ideal “slow time” hang out tea shop would have: Both tables and comfortable “lounge” seating, and some more private booths (remember, this is ideal); an offering of tea-friendly snack items; a bookshelf with reading material, including an assortment of newspapers from various places and persuasions, AND some journals and books about tea; a knowledgeable “tea-rista” (I love this term, Paul!); classical or jazz music; revolving art on the walls or displays; occasional special evening tastings to introduce some facet of tea culture (maybe centered around the regions, like wine dinners often are; or around brewing methods, or even teapot/paraphernalia “trunk shows”).
I like the idea of havig a quick in-and-out area for those of us on the go. While slow is better, it’s not always possible!
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Thanks Anne, I like the whole concept. We will keep that in our “bag of tricks”. I’m with you on” tea rista” ( I did not coin that description) but it fits as a perfect counterpoint to Coffee Barista. “Dang” I wish I could say I invented the term. I remember it from the Fresh Cup Mag. Yearly Tea Journal.
A well conceived Tea Shop can far surpass a Coffee Shop in many ways of functionality and ambiance. Please keep the ideas coming people. I’ll make sure you get all the credit in our Monthly News letter…..PJF