it’s no secret that i’m a fan of tea. i love it for all the flavorful ways it makes me feel soothed, refreshed, relaxed, energized, and nourished. i appreciate it for all the ways it has impacted history and culture over centuries. i cherish it for all the times it has brought me closer to a friend or family member while “taking tea” together.
as i was choosing blend for my morning cup earlier this week, it occurred to me that the percentage of kitchen real estate that i have zoned for tea and accessories is not normal. perhaps even for someone with a great affection for the beverage like me. so i thought i would invite you into my personal teahouse, share the evidence of my obsession, and get your opinion.
this is my tea pantry. yes, an entire two-door, three-shelf cabinet dedicated to teas and mugs. (and this is not the only place in my small kitchen that is overtaken with tea and tea tools…we’ll get to that in a minute.)
all my loose leaf teas and herbals are on the bottom shelf in airtight glass and tin jars. i’ll occasionally leave it in the store’s resealable bag, if i know i’ll drink it fairly quickly. on the second shelf are bagged teas that are packaged in tins (the individually-wrapped bags have a place of their own elsewhere).
i try to keep everything neat enough that i can see all my options at a glance, although my mental inventory of the (i’m not gonna tell you how many!) varieties is pretty accurate. if you’re thinking there is no way i could drink all that tea before it goes stale, think again. (also, keep in mind that i enjoy some teas extra strong and will double the normal measurement.)
below my Tea Cabinet is my Tea Drawer. this is where i store all the bagged teas that i can easily take with me. i always have a variety stashed in my purse and car for tea-making when out and about, and i also pack a large bundle when i travel so i’ll always have something decent to steep. i love it when i have full-leaf bags, but usually this drawer is filled with a selection from boxes scored on sale.
nestled between my Tea Cabinet and my Tea Drawer is my Tea Corner. this space holds all the accessories i need to brew the perfect cup. the basket holds the infusers, filters, drip saucers, timing hourglass, and measuring scoops, while the hooks keep my teapots handy. lately i’ve been favoring the real-deal cast iron pot i got as a birthday gift. it really does make a difference!
i used to heat water in the kettle every time i wanted to make a pot of tea, but that can happen many times a day. plus, methods for gauging the temperature of the water coming from a kettle are not very accurate. my beautiful zojirushi gets it right every time. i can choose the right water temp for the tea i am preparing, and don’t have to worry about scorching the leaves or ending up with a weak brew.
so that’s my tea space. are you shocked? i could run a commercial teahouse out of my home for weeks without restocking! but it’s not too much for me. each tea and herbal tisane is unique, and i like having just the right blend to fit my mood or craving (or need) of the moment. i’m also lucky that lots of people know of my love for tea and gift me the good stuff often.
and i love to share the experience, the process, the pleasure of tea. i’m officially inviting each of you over for tea at t’s teahouse…it’s always tea time around here, so drop by whenever you want. 
are any other tea lovers out there? can your collection rival mine, or am i a bit extreme?
Filed under: tea & eats
