Usually my posts are all about Japanese tea…but sometimes I feel like stepping into a different tea world and I’m so glad I did when I was in Scottsdale, Arizona’s Old Town!
Tea Time Scottsdale, established in March 2009 as a German tea chain but now an independent boutique tea salon, is an extraordinary tea merchant – tiny but mighty! With a whopping 106 kinds of tea on the menu—not including the lattes and other concoctions they prepare—this is a tea fairy’s NIRVANA!
The shop is long and narrow with one entire wall dedicated to the 106 tea canisters of nearly any kind of tea you could possibly desire and new ones to discover – as I certainly did. They offer three Japanese teas: Matcha, sencha and a gyokuro; but I was more interested in trying the manager’s favorite: Lunar Orchard, a blended tisane of superior quality.
This hand-crafted tisane includes apple pieces, pineapple cubes (pineapple, sugar), rosehip peel, lemongrass, eucalyptus leaves, fennel, melissa leaves, blue butterfly pea flowers, basil, and pink cornflower blossoms. I had it as a latte (recommended to me) and it was divine! I had it paired with one of the small homemade scones. It wasn’t exactly like a scone in England (loaded with clotted cream and preserves) but it was a good pairing with the drink.
While the one wall is filled entirely with teas, the opposite wall is a shopper’s paradise. The mind boggles with all of the tea pots, cups, tea-making accoutrements, gifts, chocolates, and other lovely items on offer. I fell in love with some of the funky desert-themed cups and pre-wrapped gifts in desert-themed paper. They fit right in with the local landscape!
While the cafe is a little shy on seating, a beautiful shared patio courtyard has plenty of seating to spill onto if the seats are filled inside. The location is in Old Town Scottsdale so there is plenty of window shopping to be had, which is why it seems that to-go drinks rule the roost at Tea Time.
The cafe and gift shop is open Monday – Friday from 10-5pm, Saturday 1-4pm, and Sunday is reserved for private parties, events, and by special appointment.
Parties of three or more can enjoy the Full Tea Service with three varieties of tea, an array of sandwiches including Italian Herb Chicken Salad, Hummus Pesto and Basil, Tomato and Balsamic, Cucumber with Cream Cheese, and Ham and Havarti; along with two kinds of scones that are more like the American version than British that are lavished with clotted cream. If that wasn’t enough, you also get a selection of gourmet cookies!
An Afternoon Tea service for two people, all in one box, can be picked up or delivered to your home or hotel. It includes most of the above in quantities for two people as well as a variety of teas to make yourself.
Reservations need to be made at least two days in advance and payment made in full at the time of booking. Gluten free and other food restrictions can be accommodated.
If you are in Scottsdale, head over to Tea Time in Old Town – you’ll be so glad you did!
7051 E 5th Ave C, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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