The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop

2009-03-04T16:09:00.006-05:00

Agrimony & Everlast (a wellness practice) is in full swing in the back room of the tea house.

Services include:
Basic Swedish Bodywork: $50 an hour
Reflexology: $30 for 1/2 hour
Energy Work: $75 for 1 1/2 hours
Deep Tissue Massage: $60 an hour, $40 for 1/2 hour, $85 for 1 1/2 hour
20 Minute Release $20
Aromatherapy add $5
Cleary Sage Blend-musky & euphoric, eases nervous tension & stress-related symptoms.
Vetiver Blend- earthy & floral; for relaxation and destimulation.

A&E hours:
Tuesday, 11am-8pm
Wednesday & Thursday, 3pm-8pm
Friday & Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday 2pm-6pm

call Matt Beck at 215.760.8900 for an appointment
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Tea Mission – a portable installation of Gong Fu tea service.

Host a Tea Mission at your next event and
make it something to remember.
Our highly-trained Tea Monkeys arrive at your event space, set up a handsome spread of special tea ware and commence making high-quality Chinese & Taiwanese tea in our own rousing version of the
traditional Gong Fu tea ceremony.
We've set up camp and made a dizzying,
delicious spread of tea at art openings, benefits,
wedding receptions, readings, concerts and dance parties.
2 magical hours, including tea: $70

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Looking for a special place for your event or meeting?

Let us provide the space, time, food and refreshments
here in the comfort of our charming Tea Room.
Our Private Tea Parties include:
- Your choice of teas
- 3 varieties of tea sandwiches (please alert us to any
dietary restrictions your party might have)
- Fruit plate & Dessert
The cost of this one-of-a-kind experience is $25 per person &
$19 for children 12 and under. Limit 20 people per event.
Perfect for birthday parties, wedding & baby showers, etc.

We would also like to offer our Tea Room to anyone who would like to have a regular or one-time event – whether it's a book club, knitting circle, game night, poetry reading, discussion group, private party
or what have you, we'd love to have you.

Contact us by email: curiositea@gmail.com
or by phone: 267.639.2442.

Neighbors and Friends: Links

2009-03-03T15:52:00.016-05:00

Welcome to the Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop!

2008-12-23T10:07:00.065-05:00

The Random Tea Room is a place to restore the spirit and wow the palate.

Our line of roughly 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions

offer a small window into the international world of Tea.

Press & Reviews:

2008-12-23T10:07:00.047-05:00

says: "Step through the door and you won’t want to leave. [The Random Tea Room]'s got combinations down to a T."

says: We drank a pot of, hands down, the best chai I have ever had (save the first time I ever had chai - homemade goodness in Northern Thailand.

says: "...to really savor the full experience - to enjoy the flavor, the scent and the ritualized aspect of drinking loose leaf tea - check out the newly opened Random Tea Room in Northern Liberties."

says: My new favorite. A relaxed yet hip atmosphere, and impeccable tea credentials. Beautiful decor and curios for sale. No food on the menu, but there may be a baked good lying around. Of course if you wanted food, you would have gone to Honey's Sit and Eat across the street first.

says: "So when I read ... about the new Random Tea Room in
Philly, which offers a wide selection of teas from around the world (and, according to PJS, also has the best chai around), I started to get a hankering for some of the liquid magic."

says: "Don’t be deceived by the decadence... Homemade masala chai is prepared every day—the spices ground by hand, and each teacup is chosen for its aesthetic compliment to the gorgeous pots presented to patrons eager for tea."

says: "Tea has been served for it’s medicinal properties in countries throughout the world for centuries. Random Tea Room brings those teas from the four corners of the globe to Fourth Street."

says: Taking the first sip of Chai was like entering a spice filled nirvana. It's made fresh daily and is loaded with ginger, brown sugar, Assam tea, vanilla, rose water and fresh ground spices. Talk about enticing the senses!

says: Great tea, friendly and helpful staff, and the rotating art installations are what keeps me coming back to this cozy tea shop. If you're overwhelmed by their selection, ask for advice, and the staff will gladly make a suggestion. Don't forget to take a few ounces of your favorite tea home - armed with their expert advice - and try your hand at brewing your own loose leaf tea!

This is a great new No Libs spot to stop. It's right by Honey's, so go enjoy brunch there and get to the Random Tea Room for Tea and cake!

says: Tip toe into the world of international teas when you order up any of their roughly 40 artisinal teas and house-blended herbal infusions.

says: And while you're at the tea room, check out the merchandise in the back--this is serious craft things--felt hats, necklaces. I had to restrain myself.

“This Northern Liberties gem has the perfect selection of teas with daily iced tea specials. Their Chai is the best I’ve ever had, and they have a nice selection of antique collectibles and gift items to look over while they prepare your beverage. I feel a bit calmer every time I walk in.”

says: It was a beautiful little shop in a building she had purchased and remodeled herself with the help of friends. The tea shop contained all kinds of cute little antiques and odds and ends, including chess set tables and very cozy chairs. She made us some fresh Chai from scratch
that was literally the best Chai I've ever tasted, which we sipped in lovely dark mugs while her cute pooch watched, napped and guarded the fort.

That adorable little tea/curiosity shop on North 4th street, The Random Tea Room, has turned their operation into a multi-use space for tea drinkers, perusers and artists. Their monthly 2nd Thursday art openings are a welcome change from the crowded First Friday.

About Us

2008-12-23T10:07:00.001-05:00

Rest your bones, restore your spirit, rejuvenate yourself and enchant your palate!

Our line of roughly 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions offers a small window into the enormous, fascinating and international world of Tea. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world (next to water of course). It is an integral part in the daily lives and hospitable traditions of countless cultures throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and slowly but surely, the Americas. Tea is a steppingstone to building communities and fostering friendships, assisting in forming and sustaining bonds in virtually every walk of life.
Popularized by various Chinese Emperors and Sages thousands of years ago for its numerous curative properties, Tea was originally intended as a tool for meditation, enabling the drinker to meditate for hours on end without the fear of drifting into sleep, allowing the mind to focus yet be at peace. The often frenetic pace of our modern existence gets to us all, and we hope that our tea room can provide a balm for those seeking respite from all the hustle and bustle. Taking the time to sit and sip a pot of tea can do wonders for clearing the mind from some of the excess baggage we carry with us in our daily routines. But tea isn't only about relaxation – it's about fresh experiences, entertaining the taste buds with previously unknown sensations, delighting the senses and savoring the richness of life. Some new experiences you'll encounter upon spending time in our tea room include Gong Fu tea service, drinking from the Chinese Zhong and sipping the finest Yerba Mate from the traditional cuia (Mate gourd) and bombilla (filtered straw).
Tea is about nourishing the body, tonifying the spirit and making new friends, but The Random Tea Room isn't only about tea. Vintage and antique pieces are also available for purchase, not to mention delicious baked goods, French-pressed Old City coffee, and locally made jewelry and skin care products. We also offer free wireless internet so you can surf while you sip. Most of all, we look forward to spreading the good will of Tea and growing with the community, cup by cup, pot by pot.

Wabi Cha,

The Random Tea Room

Come Visit Us!

2008-12-23T10:06:00.009-05:00

The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop
713 North 4th Street
Philadelphia PA 19123 USA
Phone: 267.639.2442
email: curiositea@gmail.com

Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 8-8
Saturday & Sunday: 10-8

Click Map for Directions:

Black Teas of Sri Lanka & Assam

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These are fully oxidized teas, among the most highly-caffeinated and full-bodied within the tea spectrum. Black teas from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) and the north Indian state of Assam are particularly well suited to the addition of milk and/or sugar. However, owing to the quality of our rotating selection of these single-estate teas, it is worth first tasting them on their own.

House Ceylon - This brisk, full-bodied classic hails from the mountains of Sri Lanka – formerly Ceylon, hence the name of all tea grown there. Our House Ceylon is on a rotating basis, meaning that we frequently offer different teas from different tea estates and regions, seeking quality and diversity of flavor – but it will always have that characteristic “brisk” flavor for which Ceylon teas have come to be prized. Ask your tea tender about the source of our current selection. This brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Tippy Reserve Assam - The full-bodied, malty quality of Assam is often the backbone of popular European blends such as English Breakfast. Our Tippy Reserve is a hearty brew, yet exhibits a mellow, woodsy character with a long, crisp finish. Another tea we keep on a rotating basis, feel free to ask your tea tender about the origin of our current Assam. This brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar.
Pot: 5.50 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 2.75/oz

Spiced Assam – An exotic, aromatic brew composed of Harmutty Estate Assam blended with green cardamom seed, cinnamon, clove, star anise, black pepper and fresh ginger. (This house blend is similar to the mixture used as the basis of flavor for our Chai Masala.)
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 3.25/oz

Darjeeling

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Known across the Tea World as "The Champagne of Tea," the town of Darjeeling lies in the Himalayan foothills of the northern Indian state of West Bengal and is the namesake of all the tea grown in the area. Teas from the Darjeeling district are unique in flavor and processing because they are derived from Chinese tea plant varietals (and later, hybrids) that were first planted there at the behest of the British in the mid-19th century. We keep both of our selections on a rotating basis to ensure freshness and quality, so be sure to ask about the estate origin of either tea.

Namring Summer Flush Darjeeling – Our House Darjeeling from the Namring Estate displays a full-bodied yet mild flavor while retaining the classic crisp flavor associated with Darjeeling, offering notes of citrus, spice and earth. Perfect in the morning or afternoon, this tea can stand up to milk or sugar, but we recommend first trying it on its own to fully appreciate its quality and complexity.
Pot: 5.50 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 4/oz

House Spring Flush Darjeeling – First (or Spring) Flush Darjeelings are some of the most elegant and exciting teas in the world -- there simply is nothing else like them. The diversity of flavor found in First Flush Darjeelings is most impressive, but they are routinely revered for their floral, vegetal and muscatel grape flavor profiles. This bouquet of flavors holds true to its origins of a pristine Himalayan tea garden, yet also evokes memories of the forest on a glittering spring day. Like a fine wine, this tea should always be savored on its own.
Pot: 6.75 Large Cup: 3.75/ Small: 3.50 Loose: 6/oz

Chinese Reds

2008-12-23T10:03:00.008-05:00

Black tea grown in China is called Red Tea (not to be confused with the caffeine-free herbal tisane Rooibos from South Africa, also known as “Red Bush Tea”). The best known of the Chinese Reds, Keemun, is appropriately referred to as “The Burgundy of Teas.” Red Teas are often described as having a “winy” flavor and/or body, and they also yield a discernibly redder liquor (liquid) than their Indian relatives. Red teas from Anhui, Yunnan, Hunan and Fujian provinces often exhibit notes of chocolate, wood and earth and consequently pair very well with spicy food and chocolate. A high quality Red tea is renowned for its rich, subtly sweet flavor and exceptionally smooth finish.

Organic South Cloud – A smooth, slightly smoky, full-bodied tea made from the broad-leafed tea varietal "dayeh" from Yunnan province. Many of the leaves are gold-tipped, which results in a more complex flavor and a deep amber liquor. Exceedingly drinkable, this tea can stand up to milk and/or sugar, but we recommend first trying it alone.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Keemun Mao Feng – From Anhui province, the Keemun Mao Feng is milder yet more complex than most Keemuns, with an elegantly bold and wiry leaf style. This awakening brew reminds us of barley on the nose, next offering a touch of spice, perhaps nutmeg, followed by a gently smoky finish. Satisfying and smooth, this tea is best savored on its own.
Pot: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose: 4.75/oz

Golden Monkey King - This delectable brew comes from Fujian province, a region also revered for its Green, White & Oolong teas. Surprisingly sweet, mellow, complex and smooth, with a tantalizing chocolate aroma.
Pot: 6.75 Large Cup: 3.75/ Small: 3.50 Loose: 5/oz

Chinese Greens

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White Monkey King – Our House Chinese Green is as crisp as a snow pea. The dry leaf is green and white, exhibiting its high tip content, while the liquor comes out to a hue of canary yellow. Try it in the traditional Chinese Gaiwan for the full experience!
Pot or Gaiwan: 5.25 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 3/oz

Organic Lung Ching - Or "Dragonwell" is one of the most popular and famous of all the styles of Chinese Green Tea. The dry leaves appear to be little flat blades of grass and the flavor is reminiscent of chestnuts. An excellent grade of this tea for the price, please enjoy Lung Ching in its tradtional brewing method in a Chinese Gaiwan.
Pot or Gaiwan: 5.50 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 4/oz

Pi Lo Chun - An incredible find from the venerated Fujian province, Pi Lo Chun translates into "Green Snail Spring" and is one of the highest forms of Chinese Green Tea. To smell the dried leaf of this tea is to inhale the first yawns of spring. Soft, delicate and slightly sweet with a characteristic note of yellow plum -- this is a perfect tea to restore the spirit during late morning or afternoon. For maximum enjoyment, please experience this tea in its traditional brewing method in a Chinese Gaiwan. Like a fine wine, Pi Lo Chun should always be savored on its own.
Pot or Gaiwan: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose: 4.75/oz

Phoenix Jasmine Pearls - The Queen of Jasmine. Each ball or “pearl” of tea buds is individually hand-rolled! The perfect touch of only the finest Jasmine essence will send your senses reeling. An ethereal delight.
Pot: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 5.50/oz

Jasmine Dragon Tail - A stunning “display tea.” Hand-tied with silk, a bundle of white tea buds yields a haunting chain of Jasmine flowers unfurling heavenward upon steeping. Served in a glass pot for your enjoyment!
Pot: 7.75 Loose: 7.50/oz

Chinese Whites

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Once only reserved for the Emperor, White Teas are only steamed and dried, never withered, rolled or oxidized, offering not only the healthiest brew, but also the lowest amount of caffeine. Depending on the tea, White Tea is either primarily or entirely composed of tea buds as opposed to leaves. The minimal processing gives us a chance to view the closest approximation of the tea in its raw state. Due to their extremely delicate character, White Teas should only be savored on their own so that the finest and faintest of their flavors can be fully enjoyed. Their whispering nature is considered the perfect tone of subtlety for meditation. Sipping on a pot of White Tea is an activity to calm the spirit and clear the mind.

Drum Mountain White Cloud – Tenderly plucked, large silvery buds from the famous mountain where the monks of the Buddhist Drum Mountain monastery grew their tea for centuries. Drum Mountain is our House White, exemplifying the slightly sweet nature of White Tea, but adding a nuanced vegetal tone often associated with only the most refined Chinese Greens. Drum Mountain can be enjoyed morning, noon or night, but is always best relished on its own.
Pot or Gaiwan: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 5.50/oz

Fuding White Treasure –
To sip morning dew
sliding from a tea blossom:
Fuding White Treasure.
This haiku is as close as we can come to describing the experience of Fuding White Treasure. This tea is unique among Chinese Whites. Hailing from Fujian province, renowned for many of its Green and Red Teas, Fuding is a recent favorite among White Teas in the tea world and as such, supply each year is limited.
Pot or Gaiwan: 7.75 Large Cup: 4.25/ Small: 4 Loose: 7.75/oz

Bodhidharma’s Eyelids – A very special house blend of Organic Pai Mu Tan (White Peony White Tea) and Cha Hua (Tea Flowers). Our Cha Hua hail from Jing Mai Mountain in Southern Yunnan, where the tea trees range from 800 – 1,200 years old. Every fall the tea trees blossom just before producing seeds and going into winter hibernation. Cha Hua have a floral and fruity flavor, recalling apricot or honeydew on the nose, with a subtle sweet flavor hinting of fig. Delicious and soothing with only trace amounts of caffeine. The addition of Pai Mu Tan to these tea flowers adds body, balance and a nutty character. Enjoy this harmonious pairing in a gaiwan any time of day or night.
Pot or Gaiwan: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose 5.75/oz

Oolong

2008-12-23T10:02:00.008-05:00

Oolong (pronounced wu-long) is a Chinese or Taiwanese semi-oxidized tea, spanning perhaps the most diverse spectrum of flavor and body between Green and Red/Black Teas. Oolong is regarded as the ultimate art form in tea-making in Taiwan, which has adopted and perfected the brewing method for it, known as Gong Fu. The Gong Fu style of serving tea originated in China, but at some point reached epically proportioned importance in Taiwan (formerly Formosa, thus the name of many Oolongs grown in Taiwan). In the Gong Fu style, very small tea pots made of an especially dense clay called Yixing (pronounced ee-shing) are used because the residue or tea oils from the tea more easily accumulate in the pot, seasoning it with the flavor of the one kind of tea reserved for that particular pot. After decades of use, simply adding hot water to the pot alone can yield its own tea from the years of tea oil accumulation. The combination of short brewing times, lots of leaf and the small capacity of the Yixing pots produce multiple steepings of what is considered the very essence of one of the highest forms of tea. Ask your Tea Tender about Gong Fu service.

Baozhong – This light, floral, fruity and softly sweet green Oolong is affectionately referred to as “The Princess of Teas.” The leaf style of this winter harvest Taiwanese specialty is twisted as opposed to rolled like many other Oolongs, yielding a depth of flavor upon the first steeping that often takes rolled Oolongs several steepings to achieve. An elegant, delicate brew that is to be savored like a fine wine – on its own.
Pot: 6.75 Large Cup: 3.75/ Small: 3.50 Loose: 5.50/oz

Deluxe Ti Kwan Yin – Named after an incarnation of the Buddhist deity Kwan Yin, or “The Iron Goddess of Mercy,” Ti Kwan Yin is a family of its own within the Oolong style. Ranging from straw-colored infusions of delicate quality to robustly roasted and nutty brews, Ti Kwan Yin always somehow retains a unique flavor found in no other kind of tea.
Pot: 8 Large Cup: 4.25/ Small: 4 Loose: 8/oz

King’s Tea – Our darkest, nuttiest Oolong, the King’s Tea is infused with ginseng, lending its already rich character a sweet finish. It is uncanny: the more you drink, the sweeter the air you inhale becomes. Plainly, King’s Tea offers an unrivalled flavor sensation, and due to this quality, it is steadfastly pursued by its devotees once they’ve discovered it.
Pot: 7.50 Large Cup: 4/ Small: 3.75 Loose: 7.50/oz

Japanese Teas

2008-12-23T10:01:00.009-05:00

House Sencha - Sencha is a large family of steamed Japanese Green Teas spanning every grade from coarse to sublime. Our House Sencha is a pleasant everyday tea that is vegetal and slightly sweet. This Sencha also makes a great iced tea during the warmer months and pairs marvelously with lemongrass, ginger and all citrus.
Pot: 4.50 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Gyokuro Asahina – From the Uji prefecture, Gyokuro means “Precious Dew Pearl” and is the highest grade of Japanese green leaf tea within the 3-tiered grading system. Special straw mats are spread over the tops of the tea plants toward the end of their growth to provide shade, which imparts the subtly sweet flavor for which Gyokuro has come to be revered. An especially verdant tea with a soft, delicate flavor, this tea is perfectly suited for an afternoon of reflection.
Pot: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 5.50/oz

Genmaicha – Roasted brown rice and whole leaf Japanese Green Tea are happily married for this classic blend. The toasty, nutty flavor soothes the spirit in colder months and also makes for a gentle iced beverage.
Pot: 5.50 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 3/oz

Kaiseiki Hojicha – Twigs from the first flush and leaves from latter flushes are lightly roasted to bring you this slightly sweet, rich brew with flavors of chestnut and freshly baked bread. Hojicha is an excellent choice to accompany food.
Pot: 5.50 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 3/oz

Shouhaku Matcha – Matcha is a powdered green tea of the highest caliber used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, Chanoyu. It is the unquestionable pinnacle of Japanese tea-making. The color of Matcha is a deep emerald, and its flavor is intensely vegetal (think wheatgrass) and quite viscous, offering an unrivalled taste sensation. Our Shouhaku Matcha (meaning “Pines and Oak Trees”) is a “thin tea,” (surprisingly, they get even thicker) and is one of the favored teas of renowned Urasanke tea sensei Hounsai Daisosho. Matcha is vigorously whisked with a bamboo tool called a “chasen” in a special Matcha bowl called a “chawan,” and as such, the portion is small and cannot be made to go.
Chawan (bowl): 4.25

Pu-Erh

2008-12-23T10:01:00.008-05:00

Pu-Erh is one of the oldest varieties of tea, originating in the Yunnan province of China, the very birthplace of tea, where the first tea plants were discovered in the wild and later cultivated. The truly unique, earthy, mineral-laden flavor of Pu-Erh belies its definitive smoothness. Pu-Erh is one of the only teas to undergo an aging process, sometimes even in Himalayan caves. During the aging process, a culture is introduced to the tea and over time enzymes develop in the tea, which are purported to be the cause of its digestive properties. When consumed with or after a meal, it has remarkable powers for breaking up oil and fat in the digestive track, not to mention soothing the sting of spice. Due to the minimal tannic content in Pu-Erh, it rarely becomes bitter when steeped for long periods like other tea and is intended to be steeped multiple times. Today, Pu-Erh is a staple in the diets of many people in Yunnan, Tibet and Nepal.

Tuocha – A cooked Pu-Erh that is shaped into small nest-like cakes and wrapped in paper, Tuocha is one of the most popular forms of Pu-Erh – cooked or raw. Earthy and smooth. Come in for a pot after your next big meal.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 3.50/oz

Golden Pu-Erh - A darker and fuller-flavored brew than the Tuocha, Golden Pu-Erh is a cooked loose leaf Pu-Erh exhibiting an earthiness reminiscent of clay. Surprisingly smooth, this tea stands up to several steepings.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 4.50/oz

Jing Mai Bing Cha, 2003 – This greener, semi-cooked Pu-Erh comes from Jing Mai Mountain in southern Yunnan, where tea is wild-crafted from several-hundred-year-old tea trees. The mature leaves are sun-withered, hand-kneaded, wood-fired, wok-roasted, steamed and then shaped into round cakes by putting the leaves into cloth bags and placing the bags under a stone mold upon which the tea-makers stand, applying their weight in a rotational motion to achieve the desired circular shape of the tea cake. The flavor is bittersweet and brings to mind breathing in the air close to a river nestled in a forest. This tea is intended for several steepings, with the “heart” of the tea’s character usually apparent somewhere around the 3rd or 4th steeping.
Pot: 7.75 Tasting Set: 5 Large Cup: 4.25/ Small: 4 Loose: 7.75/oz

House Blended Specialties

2008-12-23T10:00:00.004-05:00

4th St. Breakfast – A house-blended tea composed of the trinity of our House Ceylon, Harmutty Estate Assam and Organic South Cloud Chinese Red Tea.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Chai Masala - Our very own, made every morning from scratch with love and devotion – no concentrate here! Hand-ground spices harmonize with Mapelhofe Farms whole milk, Harmutty Assam, fresh ginger, brown sugar, vanilla & rose water. There’s nothing quite like it!
Pot: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3

Spiced Assam - Harmutty Estate Assam blended with green cardamom seed, cinnamon, clove, star anise, black pepper and fresh ginger. (This house blend is similar to the mixture used as the basis of flavor for our Chai Masala.)
Pot: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 3.50/oz

Morroccan Mint - The favorite style of tea among many across Morocco and its neighbors, our version employs dried peppermint, Gunpowder green tea and turbinado sugar as the base that is poured into glasses stuffed with fresh mint leaves.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 2.25/oz

Caffeine-Free Tisanes

2008-12-23T09:59:00.008-05:00

Organic Rooibos – Also known as Red Bush Tea, Rooibos (pronounced “roy-bus”) is a mineral-rich and highly antioxidant herbal beverage from South Africa. Naturally caffeine-free, its flavor is somewhat similar to black tea, though very low in tannins so it doesn’t turn bitter if steeped for too long. Rooibos is characteristically mild and aromatic with a slightly citric sweetness and is excellent hot or iced. This herbal tisane can also stand up to milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.50 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz

Bourbon Vanilla Honeybush – Honeybush is another “bush tea” from South Africa and is naturally caffeine-free with a sweet honey-like flavor. Also a nice source of calcium, our version is flavored with genuine Bourbon vanilla. Richly aromatic, Honeybush is a delight at any time of day, and can be enjoyed with or without milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.50 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz

Red Berry Fruit Melange – A fruity delight, the Red Berry Fruit Melange is composed of blueberries, black currants, elder berries, grapes and hibiscus. Packed full of vitamins and an excellent choice for kids and grown-ups alike!
Pot: 4.50 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz

Scented Teas

2008-12-23T09:59:00.007-05:00

Earl Grey Royale - The Royale is scented with extra bergamot and is comprised of only whole leaf Chinese black tea for a high-quality, intoxicating Earl Grey experience.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Lapsang Souchong – A pine-smoked Chinese Black Tea. Despite its powerful flavor, Lapsang is lower in caffeine than other black teas.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz

Phoenix Jasmine Pearls - The Queen of Jasmine. Each ball or “pearl” of tea buds is individually hand-rolled! The perfect touch of only the finest Jasmine essence will send your senses reeling. An ethereal delight.
Pot: 6 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 5.50/oz

Yerba Mate

2008-12-23T09:58:00.009-05:00

A highly stimulating infusion widely consumed in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil, Yerba Mate is traditionally drank from a cuia (cured gourd) through a bombilla (filtered straw) made of metal or wood. Due to its lack of tannic content, the leaf is left in the gourd so as to allow multiple steepings and can also be brewed with cold water. The earthy, herbal flavor steadily mellows with each subsequent steeping, though the invigorating effects are only heightened with the passing of each round. Traditionally, a gourd full of Mate is passed around a group of people many times and the straw is never used to stir the leaf inside the gourd. Popular amongst hikers in the Andes, Yerba Mate is known to increase physical endurance, curb the appetite, sharpen the mind, and assist the gallbladder in processing toxins from the body. It contains Vitamins A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), C, E and 15 amino acids, along with a high level of antioxidants. Yerba Mate contains a significant amount of caffeine. We have 3 superb offerings from the world of Yerba Mate.

Organic Brazilian Yerba Mate - Our House Yerba Mate is shade-grown in Brazil. It is full-bodied with notes of chocolate and earth and will surely put a spring in your step.
Gourd: 4.50 Large Cup: 2.50/ Small: 2.25 Loose: 1.75/oz

Organic Argentinean Yerba Mate - The Argentinean Yerba Mate is all leaf (no stems here!), which brews up a robust, herbaceous, yet smooth beverage.
Gourd: 5 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz

Healing Herbal Infusions

2008-12-23T09:58:00.008-05:00

Belly Blend – A blend of peppermint, wild yam, chamomile, fennel, licorice and dried ginger. Designed to soothe the digestive system, whether the sourness is related to the stomach or the intestinal track.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.50/oz

Deliverance – A blend of dandelion root, red clover, burdock, lavender, fresh ginger, lapacho and hibiscus. Designed to assist the body in cleansing itself of toxins, this ruddy brew will be there for you the day after a hard night. Cleans up the blood.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.75/oz

For the Defense – A blend of cinnamon, chamomile, nettle, marshmallow root, dandelion, clove, fresh ginger, lemon, licorice and elder berries. Designed to support the immune system when under attack, in times of health, or just when “something’s been going around.”
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.50/oz

The Glowing Throat – A blend of licorice, fennel, nettle, sassafrass, red raspberry and slippery elm. Designed to soothe a scratchy or inflamed throat while fighting off any infection that might be hiding there.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.50/oz

Hangover Tamer - A blend of yerba mate, peppermint, lapacho, licorice, nettle and fresh ginger. Designed to reduce inflammation (headache much?), detoxify the blood and put a spring back in your step. CONTAINS CAFFEINE.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.75/oz

Respiratory Rescue – A blend of nettle, dried ginger, mullein, licorice, lemon and elder berries. Designed to support the respiratory system in responding to infection and strain.
Helps with the harshness of everyday urban pollution too.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3 Loose: 2.75/oz

Simmer Down – A blend of chamomile, kava, lemon balm, motherwort, lavender and passionflower. Designed to assist the body in alleviating stress and worn nerves. Very relaxing.
This is calm in a cup.
Pot: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose: 3.25/oz

Spin Cycle – A blend of motherwort, damiana, dried ginger, red raspberry leaf, honeybush and lavender. Designed to help ease the symptoms of an unruly cycle while encouraging the body to stabilize its regularity.
Pot: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose: 3.25/oz

Artists and Events

2008-12-23T09:55:00.058-05:00

2nd Thursday Art Openings at the Random Tea Room
'The best of the sketch book reporter....2007-2008'
Thursday, November 12th-27th
Opening Reception on the 12th from 6-9PM
The Sketch Book Reporter documents live events and people in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Like a court room artist but free to sketch the happenings around every corner.
Documenting piece by the piece of the world around us.
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Every 3rd Friday from 7-12:
Monthly Experimental Music
Friday November 20th

Soak in the experimental electronic music of Tantrum Tonic (John Schenk). Relax with your favorite tea while John and friends play with his abstract minimal dj mix korg ms 20-space echo. Make it a habit.
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The last Sunday of every month:
Gaian Mind Chillout Session
Deet spins his transient vibes with new friends every month
Canceled temporarily, check back for updates.

Gaian Mind DJ's bring Chillout to The Random Tea Room.
Bliss out to the morphing sounds of above and below float on toroidal clouds through infinity. Flow with the universal groove. Be here now.

--------------------------------Past Artists-----------------------------------------

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists™
is pleased to bring you the 10th Annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.
Join us at The Tea Room as we represent local artist
Nan Kruzik with her show "Tower Figures"in this fun POST event.
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2nd Thursday Art Openings at the Random Tea Room
Meanderings by Margaux Kent & Katie Marlowe
September 10th - 25th
Opening Reception September 10th from 6-9

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2nd Thursday Art Opening
Annie Bortnick's Original Oils
Thursday August 13th-28th
Opening Reception August 13th from 6-9

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2nd Thursday Art Opening
A Short Story: small works by Ali Williams
Thursday July 9th - 24th
Opening Reception on July 9th from 6-9
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"The Day After" 2nd Thursday Art Opening
Some People, Some Places: New Pictures by Mike McJilton
Thursday June 11th -30th
Opening Reception Friday June 12th from 6-9-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd Thursday Art Opening:

Disorders of Fantasy, the art of Mitchell Landsman
Thursday May 14th-29th, Opening from 6-9PM