Elegant, ethnic, eclectic or everyday casual. With hundreds of flavors and a style for everyone, it’s easy to see why tea rooms have recently rocketed in popularity – with children as well as adults.
“Tea has a culture,” say Teri Mauldin of Collectabili Tea. “It’s not something you do ‘on-the-go’ like coffee.” Instead, tea is about relaxing and sharing at a slower pace. From preparing the tea and pastries to setting up the tableware – even the pouring itself – tea is a more elaborate production.
Collectabili Tea is both a tearoom and merchant. A cottage-style setting provides a relaxing atmosphere for patrons. Jeans and shorts are welcome and Teri can offer afternoon teas and dessert teas for interested parties. Tea, pots and accessories are available for purchase. For the younger set, Collectabili Tea offers tea flavors to tempt their taste buds. Bubble gum tea, a herbal infusion of tooty-fruity flavor, is a hit, as well as blueberry muffin tea. A large selection of decaffeinated teas is available, to the liking of many parents. Rooibos, a South African Red Bush tea, is also a popular alternative to traditional black tea.
With a children’s area, occasional special events specifically for the kids, and a “build your own tea experience” available during lunchtime, Teri has succeeded in making the tea experience available to all.
“Tea encourages relationships,” says Mary Alice Higbie, proprietress of The St. James Tearoom. “It’s about making something beautiful and sharing it with those who are special to you.” Mary Alice points out that to create a traditional afternoon tea properly takes time. From the food preparation to the presentation, the tea process isn’t sloppy. “You take the time because you care,” she says, noting that courtesy is always more important than simple etiquette. “Too often we signal by our hurriedness that it’s too much trouble to take time for someone else, too much trouble to take care of them. Afternoon tea lets us step out of that mindset.”
With its private, partitioned seating areas and the gracious hospitality of the staff, The St. James Tearoom is conducive to relaxed chatting among friends, quiet, stress-free dining and an opportunity to experience relationships at their best. The St. James Tearoom offers a variety of classes and special events to enhance the tearoom experience, including etiquette classes for young adults, children’s storytelling teas and its annual Masquerade Tea.
Parents eager to share the peak of tea formality might consider high tea at Jay’s Tearoom in the Devonshire Adobe Inn. Children are offered the same menu as adults, encouraging them to taste culinary delights they might otherwise be inclined to forego. “High tea differs from afternoon,” says Jay Power, owner. “The afternoon teas usually provide a selection of sweet pastries and the servings are typically smaller. With high tea, participants get more food. It’s really seen as an early evening meal, with savory, spicy offerings. The only sweet served is the dessert.” High tea samplings might include homemade scones, chicken Waldorf sandwiches, a quiche or dinner tart.
Jay enjoys some traditions her clients have developed centered around high tea. Regular customers include students from a local high school who celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday with a Shakespeare-themed tea, and a young girl who travels to New Mexico each holiday season to share high tea with her grandmother.
For the teen and young adult crowd, Summerhouse Tea & Trading in the UNM area offers a completely different atmosphere. Comfy chairs, a front porch and an eclectic offering of vintage and interesting merchandise make the Summerhouse a popular place for conversation. The teahouse offers more than 90 tea flavors, including imported French teas and teas made to order, and kids and dogs are always welcome, says Manager Charlotte Webster.
Justin Nadir, manager of The Tea House in Santa Fe, believes the health benefits are contributing to the current popularity of the tea experience. “Teas are filled with vitamins and anti-oxidants,” he notes. Justin’s experience in tearooms in Portland and Asia is showcased in the offerings of The Tea House. Teas from India, Japan and South Africa are prevalent, as are original blends of Cowboy Chai, including Red Rock, White Age Mint Chai and Coyote Chocolate Chai. Justin enjoys the educational aspect of tea as he explains that chai is simply another word for tea. “Ordering a chai tea is redundant,” he explains. With more than 100 varieties available and a diversity of cultures represented, even the tea list of this tearoom is enlightening.
Santa Fe also offers the formality of afternoon tea at the Hotel St. Francis Tearoom. “Tea offers a civilized experience for the kids,” says Tom Stark, food and beverage director. “It’s not your typical restaurant experience.” He notes that families often use the opportunity to dress up in their Sunday best, hats and all. Though casual dress is allowed, jeans are discouraged. Most families choose the Santa Fe tea option, with tea and a pastry or scone for only $9. The St. Francis Tearoom offers 20 varieties, including four decaffeinated options and tisanes, or herbal teas.
Collectabili Tea
7101 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM
884-0505
Jay’s Tearoom
Devonshire Adobe Inn
4801 All Saints Road NW
Albuquerque, NM
800-240-1149 or 898-3366
The St. James Tearoom
901 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Ste E-130
Albuquerque, NM
242-3752
Summerhouse Tea & Trading
119 Harvard Dr SE
Albuquerque, NM
254-4911
The Tea House
821 Canyon Rd
Santa Fe, NM
992-0972
Hotel St. Francis Tearoom
210 Don Gaspar Ave.
Santa Fe, NM
983-5700
