ANYONE FOR TEA?

If you’re already a fan of Coffeetearia, the new café at the Thokan’s Centre in Lion’s River, you’ll know their coffee is absolutely first class. Delicious and more-ish.

But for those who prefer tea, this venue is also for you. Apart from the regular rooibos, camomile, decaf and Ceylon teas we find in all coffee shops, Coffeetearia also stocks a mindboggling 13 varieties of loose-leafed speciality teas.

How does lemongrass and spearmint grab you? Or ginger and honeybush? Or Pu-eah? Or even – and this is truly unique! – dan gui piao xiang?? There are also your more standard oolong, Darjeeling, Thailand green, marsala chai and Earl Greys

My recommendation? First order the dan gui piao xiang (known as blooming tea, in China)! These beautiful display teas are a delight for eyes and tastebuds, being, in actual fact, mini floral bouquets that bloom when water is poured over them.

Created by skilled artists in China who hand-tie jasmine-scented green tea leaves around a dried flower blossom, the end result is a small tea ball with a unique sweet scent and flavour. Submerged in hot water the bloom opens.

The aromas of both flowers and tea leaves are very well preserved and these exceptional teas develop a wonderful flavour and create, at the same time, an absolutely fascinating tablepiece.

Coffeetearia is open seven days a week, from 7am.