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FINDING TEA SHOPS & TEA COLLECTIBLES
By Mary
Emma Allen
In this Internet Age,finding tea shops and cafes in your
travels can be relatively easy. I discovered by searching
this topic, I came up with many within a 50 mile radius of
my home. I even found one in my small hometown.
As you travel around America, you can refresh your journey
with tea. You might order it with a meal or snack. Or
you could seek out a cafe that specializes in this beverage
accompanied by tasty morsels.
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The
English Rose Tea Room is a touch of Merry Old
England
transplanted to Chattanooga, TN,
across from the Choo-Choo.
Photo Credit Kathleen
Walls |
Books About Tea
I've also become fascinated by books with settings involving
tea shops, such as Laura Child's Tea Shop mysteries set in
Charleston, SC. Even though this shop doesn't actually
exist, it seems like the ideal to look for in one's travels.
As you journey, you might want to collect tea books and tea
accompaniments. My daughter constantly looks for tea
related books for me. One she recently gave me is The
Charms of Tea, Reminiscences and Recipes, a Victoria
book.
Tea Souvenirs
Among the tea paraphernalia that interests tea collectors
are: tea strainers, tea canisters, teaspoons, tea cozies
and tea pots.
My aunt, in her travels, collected tea cups with pictures
of places she visited. Some of these cups also were unique
in shape and design.
A friend collects tea cups she gives as gifts filled with
tea bags, cocoa packets and related treats. She will
accumulate the tea cups in thrift shops, as well as in
souvenir shops, and have them on hand when she wants to give
a gift.
A cousin collects souvenir teaspoons in her travels. They
may have unique handles and pictures of the place they
represent. Some are simply decorative; others are useful.
Tea pots are delightful to seek out. They can be modern or
antique. They come in all shapes and sizes. They may be
part of a tea set or simply found on their own.
Tea Museums
I first realized there were tea museums when I read the
Royal Turnbridge Wells mysteries by Ron Benrey and Janet
Benrey. In searching the Internet, I discovered information
about tea museums you can visit.
Some are connected with tea manufacturers. Others exist as
separate entities or are part of historical society museum
exhibits.
What have you found in your travels that's tea related?
You may also be interesed in this
other tea article.
(c)Mary Emma Allen
(Mary Emma Allen writes for children and adults from her
New Hampshire woodland home and during her travels. She
also teaches workshops on Writing Your Family Stories.
E-mail:
me.allen@juno.com )
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