In a surprise move, Starbucks announced on Thursday that all 379 Teavana stores, mainly based in malls across the country, have been under-performing and the Teavana brand will be shut down.The closings will impact 3,300 workers. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson noted declining foot traffic at malls.“We felt it was an appropriate time to take the decision…
A Treasure Trove of Tea Ware Buried 300 Years at Sea
Fishermen working off Vietnam’s Ca Mau peninsula in 1998 snagged their nets on a submerged obstacle. As their nets rose bulging with cups and saucers rather than fish, the men realized they had stumbled upon a treasure trove of centuries-old Chinese porcelain. They began dredging up and selling as much as possible before the authorities…
Norwood Pratt and Bruce Richardson Revive The Romance of Tea
2017 Edition of The Romance of TeaIt’s difficult to remember a time when authoritative books on tea were as rare as a good cup of Darjeeling. But that was the scenario in America throughout much of the 20th century — until publisher Alfred Knopf published William H. Ukers’ The Romance of Tea in 1936. Few books…
5 Teas to Tame the Tummy
Something healthy is brewing in the world of tea. I talk to people daily who are in search of teas to either help soothe upset tummies, aid sleep, lower blood pressure, or fight inflammation. These are people who, two years ago, never thought of entering a tea shop. What’s amazing is that some of these…
How Do You Eat a Scone with Cream and Jam?
When eating an English scone, what goes on first? The clotted cream or the jam? This is one of life's most pressing questions for students of tea traveling for the first time through the tearoom-filled villages of Southwest England and The Cotswolds, or taking tea at a stylish London hotel like Claridge's or Browns. You…
The Beautiful Foolishness of Things
"Meanwhile, let us have a sip of tea. The afternoon glow is brightening the bamboos, the fountains are bubbling with delight, the soughing of the pines is heard in our kettle. Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things."This is just one of many serene scenes painted for us by…
Five Best Afternoon Teas in London
"Where can I experience the best afternoon tea in London?" is a question I am asked again and again as my friends and readers prepare for their first trip to England. I've been writing about the tea scene in London for over 20 years and have had ample opportunities to sit at countless tea…
Afternoon Tea on Waikiki
Afternoon Tea might not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of visiting the sun-drenched beaches of Waikiki, but tea folks are always on the lookout for great tea experiences to share with their fellow tea lovers back home. And of all the Hawaiian islands, Oahu has the most afternoon…
All the British Tea in China
English Tea makes the cover of Shanghai Times, August 6, 2014 The Westward flow of tea out of China has been unending since the first tea was brought to Europe in the mid-1600s. Now, thanks to a growing generation of young tea drinkers enamored of Downton Abbey, British literature and Western television, that great river…
Best Afternoon Tea in Paris
Are you planning to visit the best spots for afternoon tea on your next trip to Paris? The City of Light has long been a hot spot for tea and the Parisians love affair for the beverage is getting more passionate by the day.It may surprise you to learn that ladies in Paris were drinking…