In review: Infinitea Teahouse: 112 E. Grand Ave.
Theresa Schneider
Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: Scene
As an avid coffee addict, er, drinker I have nothing against tea as long as it's in the harbor and not in my cup. And actually, that's a little bit of a lie. I have found myself trying to drink a little more green tea because I've heard it's pretty good for the body.
My problem is, however, I think tea from my little tea bags tastes bland. It doesn't have the kick that I'm looking for in a hot drink. Sure my supermarket box of Lipton's is OK, but as far as I'm concerned, I drink it because I know it's good for me and easy to take on the go, not because I particularly like it. So, going into Infinitea Teahouse, 112 E. Grand Ave., I wasn't expecting great things. I'd heard good things from friends who've recently become tea converts, but I figured I knew more than they did, I had more refined tastes that couldn't be tempted by a watery drink.
I was wrong.
Now when I thought of the word "teahouse" two things come to mind, the exotic teahouses of the Middle East and prudish Victorian tea parties. The purple brick building housing the teahouse was not exactly the tea party I was waiting for - in a very good way. As a child of the Twin Cities, I was at home in the urban, relaxed environment. Nothing prudish or lacy about this place.
Offering more than 125 different kinds of loose tea, I was impressed. But what I really appreciated wasn't the plethora of options, but the "run down." As a tea foreigner, I appreciated the introduction to loose teas. Until the other day, my idea of loose tea was tea bags that had fallen out of their box. And if you could see the state of my side of the kitchen cupboards right now, you'd understand. But what I learned is that the reason my tea bags taste so boring is because my bags are full of little clippings and broken pieces of tea leaves. Loose tea has whole tealeaves and larger pieces of leaves, giving a stronger flavor to the tea.
I admit, I was a little skeptical at first. I tried the Smooth Strawberry Rooibos, a red South African loose tea. The tea was appropriately named - smooth. It was a bold, sweet surprise for $2. Normally I make coffee at home, but were I to buy a cup of joe, I would pay about the same for a good latte. There was definitely no lack of flavor and I can honestly say I don't know if I can go back to tea bags knowing what tea can be.
So I may not be a tea convert completely, but after my trip to Infinitea and learning what tea should be, I'm becoming a tea believer.
- Theresa Schneider
My problem is, however, I think tea from my little tea bags tastes bland. It doesn't have the kick that I'm looking for in a hot drink. Sure my supermarket box of Lipton's is OK, but as far as I'm concerned, I drink it because I know it's good for me and easy to take on the go, not because I particularly like it. So, going into Infinitea Teahouse, 112 E. Grand Ave., I wasn't expecting great things. I'd heard good things from friends who've recently become tea converts, but I figured I knew more than they did, I had more refined tastes that couldn't be tempted by a watery drink.
I was wrong.
Now when I thought of the word "teahouse" two things come to mind, the exotic teahouses of the Middle East and prudish Victorian tea parties. The purple brick building housing the teahouse was not exactly the tea party I was waiting for - in a very good way. As a child of the Twin Cities, I was at home in the urban, relaxed environment. Nothing prudish or lacy about this place.
Offering more than 125 different kinds of loose tea, I was impressed. But what I really appreciated wasn't the plethora of options, but the "run down." As a tea foreigner, I appreciated the introduction to loose teas. Until the other day, my idea of loose tea was tea bags that had fallen out of their box. And if you could see the state of my side of the kitchen cupboards right now, you'd understand. But what I learned is that the reason my tea bags taste so boring is because my bags are full of little clippings and broken pieces of tea leaves. Loose tea has whole tealeaves and larger pieces of leaves, giving a stronger flavor to the tea.
I admit, I was a little skeptical at first. I tried the Smooth Strawberry Rooibos, a red South African loose tea. The tea was appropriately named - smooth. It was a bold, sweet surprise for $2. Normally I make coffee at home, but were I to buy a cup of joe, I would pay about the same for a good latte. There was definitely no lack of flavor and I can honestly say I don't know if I can go back to tea bags knowing what tea can be.
So I may not be a tea convert completely, but after my trip to Infinitea and learning what tea should be, I'm becoming a tea believer.
- Theresa Schneider
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