With a Cup of Tea

Thing get done. 

And according to Three Cups of Tea ( must read)

One cup of tea; you are a guest

Two cups of tea; you have become a friend

Three cups of tea; you are family

Memories 

I have a lot of memories of tea from a very early age. Below are a few--- not the only important ones but just a few to explain my love and appreciation of the Art of tea.

But my very favorite has to be with my grandfather

He's the very dashing man in the middle.  Benjamin Mitman. Opi as I call him. 

He used to brew a cup of loose-leaf Jasmine tea every afternoon like clockwork and then he would put his cups of sugar in his cup and the biggest smile on his face would appear. When I was between the age of 10-12, I stayed with Omi and Opi for two weeks of the summer. My favorite and really only memory would spending the daily ritual with him. I forever have a love of black tea. 

Memory number two-- Cha for Tea, 

Although I share this place with a few people, the last four years has been attached to hours spent with Natalie and Leallani Stewart and various other friends.

And always in the wee hours of the morning. Soy Almond Milk Tea with pearls. The best night laughing and much snorting. Great friends and Taboo-- my nights were overjoyed. This place shares a special place in my heart.

The Queen drinks tea as well as Ashley wells. 

Miss Ashley Wells,  studied at Oxford and with that brought back her love of English Breakfast Tea. She has developed the science of making it. Bowl the water. Let is sit. Three tea bags in a tea kettle. Pour in the water--let steep. Put milk and sugar in a mug and put in the microwave but only long enough to warm the milk and let the sugar sweeten it. Then pour the tea in the mug and perfectly it is stirred. 

 

 Lots of conversations have come through tea in our house, as well as over twenty types of tea in our home. Which over half means something special to a specific person in the house. Ash with her English Breakfast-- I enjoy my Rooibos tea to remember Africa. Etc..

But the Excitement continues....

Finding great loose-leaf tea can be a challenge around here.  I found a great place in Los Angeles right by Amoeba called Ground Works. The place is calming in the heart of chaos. 

But today I found a gem and only by chance. 

Photo Courtesy of Bird Pick

 This place is whimsical and the girl that helped me was a doll and helped me tremendously. Although she probably thought I was crazy for sniffing a million teas. It was heaven for my nose either way. I found this place in the heart of Old Pasadena (they also have other locations).  I knew when I saw this place that I had found the place for me. I only got to spend ten minutes in here and it is probably a good thing.  They have so many types of teas, White, Oolong,  Green, Black, Blossoming-- you get the picture. I bought Jasmine Tea and Black Forest Tea-- Both taste AMAZING.  Bird Pick pays so much attention to detail all the way down to the packaging. With a  brown bag with their logo (two birds-- my favorite) and Lime Green tissue paper. The presentation was lovely and details are important to me.

It is all in the name and I the meaning says it all.

"The name Bird Pick originates from an ancient practice of cultivating the finest tea leaves. Extraordinary birds with acute senses would pick out the best leaves for their own nourishment. We strive for the same standards by selecting the most aromatic leaves to make our special blend of teas."

Their mission. 

"Whether a novice or true connoisseur of tea, our setting encourages you to explore and sample a premier selection of teas in a friendly and welcoming environment."

I would have loved more time to explore Bird Pick

I can't wait until my next trip to Pasadena happens. This will be priority and I cannot wait to tell more people about this place and cannot wait to try more of their teas and spices.  Mmmm so excited. 

I will end with this.  I texted on of my housemates telling here to move to Pasadena because I found her ideal tea place. I left my pretty little bag on the counter tonight. When I came home-- she pranced down the stairs very excited asking me to explain this tea place. After I explained-- she mentions, "Well I kind of already checked it out and got excited-- And I love the two birds on the logo." 

I slid her the business card and five minutes later found her in her room salivating over  her keyboard as she was perusing the website finding the closest locations and  dreaming of the blossoming teas.