legalized loose leaf

I spend all day steeping and brewing pots of "Tranquility," "Yoga Blend,"  and "Inner Peace." Occasionally this leads me to think I should start my own line of teas, work out a cheesy pun DBA like TEArreverent or InsaniTEA, and give them names like "Melancholy," "WMD," and "Inner Turmoil." But no, I won't be quitting my day job, instead I've contented myself with naming customer's requested blends.

"Dragonwell" + "Iron Goddess" = "Dragon Goddess"

"Cocoa Deluxe" + "Vanilla Black" = "Coconillasarus"

"Inner Peace" + "Gunpowder" = "War and Peace"

Before working in a teahouse I really had no idea about tea (my experiences were limited to accidentally dropping a dim sum dumpling into my cup of over-steeped Chinese green tea and pouring cups of hot tea into my rice bowl to make Chazuke-the Japanese way to finish off leftover rice). What I've come to learn is that tea has every bit the depth, breadth, and history as wine, cheese, or coffee, with the added bonuses of affordable accessibility and ease of limitless creative blending (plus leaves can be re-steeped two or three times, each steeping releasing new flavors and nuances).  

But where to get tea? And what teas to get?

Sure there's pre-packed little bags at the supermarket or the evil corporate coffee empire, but if you want to really experience the wonders of tea (and in many cases pay less for a higher quality product) go looseleaf. Tea by the ounce is available at many fine restaurants, coffeeshops, and teahouses, but while some carefully guard their suppliers I'll happily devulge my secrets (as is my MO when writing). There are two awesome vendors that we source from, Foxfire and Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants, both are local owned, organic, and staffed by ridiculously awesome people.

While my fantasy tea shop would be some sort of gritty urban underground steampunk lair, I can appreciate the beautiful spa like oasis that Jasmine Pearl created in their NE 22nd Street space (located midway between Sandy Blvd and the Banefield). Few things are more delightful than spending an afternoon with Heather, Chuck, or Krista. Do it. Fun, informative conversation, chill vibe, and tea, lots and lots of amazing tea. Here's a few of my faves:

Blacks: Malty Assam, Golden Needle, Chaz Chai, Kenyan Black, Cocoa Deluxe, Bombay Breakfast, Amaretto Spice

Greens: Bancha, Tranquility, Mayucha Sencha

Herbal (Caffeine Free): Yoga Blend, Dark Forest, Honey Cup

Oolong: Iron Goddess (Tea Kuan Yin)

White: Tangy Grapefruit

Pu-erh (aged black): Pu-erh Queen

So go, ask, get educated, pick up your paraphernalia (pots, strainers, etc), and definitely taste (and should you so choose, make up few tea names of your own).

The Jasmine Pearl Tea Merchants
724 NE 22nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97232
Store hours:
Mon.-Fri. 10a.m.-6p.m.
Sat. 11a.m.-5p.m.
http://www.thejasminepearl.com/