TeaLuxe in Cambridge, MA?

I worked at a Tealuxe for a bit in Providence, their teas are okay; the best I thought were the Dragon Pearl Jasmine (ask to see and smell the hand-rolled balls of tea) and the frozen blended Matcha Miracle (Matcha--pulverized green tea--, ice, simple syrup, and milk or soy milk: not traditional at all but DEEElicious!) I am sort of a tea enthusiast, but everybody else who worked there, to a lesser or greater degree, seemed to take it as just a bill-paying job and not really be in it for the tea... In Cambridge try "Tea Tray in the Sky", a serious tea cafe. I hear it is quite good. Anyway maybe the Tealuxes in Cambridge are different. Best of luck. P.S. If anybody from that Tealuxe is actually on this board and is reading this, the fact that you are on here totally proves me wrong about your level of dedication and I apologize for slighting you.... Chris P.S. My best tea source is

try it, you won't be disappointed. They supply half of the best hotels in the U.S. but are very cool guys, and humble too.

"Serendip" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.com...

Thanks, Chris! Harney is next on my list to mailorder from (I've ordered from Upton and Adagio) but I'm hoping to be able to visit a "real" store when in Boston. Thanks for the "Tea Tray in the Sky" suggestion, too!

Best, Resa

Unfortunately, Tea Tray is no longer. They went out of business a year and a half ago, or more.

Doug

Thanks, Doug - you saved me some google and mapquest searching!

Resa

Tealuxe has a decent selection, but their prices are generally insane. I was in Boston in February and picked up a puttabong first flush darjeeling that was quite good, but about five times the price it should have been. Even so, I like the place because you can go in and have a cup of tea and try before buying anything.

Timeless Teas on Newbury street is only a block or so away from Tealuxe, and it's worth visiting them. Some decent commodity-grade Ceylon teas, mostly from Tang Tea. They don't sell any real high grade stuff, but you might ask them if they'd start carrying it. In the meantime, try the Dimbula BOP which is quite respectable.

Upton's is up in Hopkinton... and absolutely worth the trip to see their facility if you have an afternoon where you can get oout of town.

--scott

Thanks, Scott!

Timeless Teas is new to me, so thanks. And I thought Upton was "only" mail order - I didn't realize that the facility could be visited. I think I may have to leave earlier, so I can get to Hopkinton before Boston....

Best, Resa

Timeless is worth a trip, and they are right around the corner. And they do have some good teas, although I am not sure they know what is good and what is not.

Call Upton's before you visit... they don't really have a retail shop but if you ask nicely they'll show you around the warehouse and shipping facility and let you smell tea. It's worth it.

--scott