I am a BIG lover of tea, especially loose leaf tea.
My love for tea is connected to my memories. When I smell Jasmine tea, I think of my mother because it’s one of her favorite teas to drink. I think of my brief stay in Zigong, Sichuan sipping hot Jasmine tea in a stone tower tea house overlooking a river.
My Obsession With Tea
When I get a whiff of Dragonwell Green tea, I think of the first time my host family in China gave me authentic Chinese tea. I remember noting the difference in taste from that of an American market that imports Chinese tea.
Each morning before I left for training in the Peace Corps, I would boil water in an electric teakettle, and pour it into a clear glass bottle. I would watch the tea leaves float to the bottom, this would happen if the water was hot enough. It was my way of avoiding using a strainer. To this day, I still use that method.
I. Love. Tea. Plain and simple.
When I used to go to school in Pueblo, Colorado there was a single place I would go to when I needed to study and listen to the white noise of a cafe. That was the first place I had been able to sit down with a pot of tea and get lost in my British Literature books or my next writing task.
You’ll find these places not far from your doorstep. If you’re a tea lover like me, you’ll visit these two tea cafes when you have the chance.
The Hanging Tree Cafe – Pueblo, Colorado
Photo Credit: The Hanging Tree Cafe
The Hanging Tree Cafe is down of Union in Pueblo, Colorado, the one I mentioned above. It was formerly known as the Daily Grind Cafe but recently changed its name in the past few years.
They changed their name, but not their style.
The Dining Experience
Upon entering, you get that cozy cafe with the mismatched chairs, chalkboard menu, and big windows to people watch. Immediately to your left, you’ll see it in all its glory, “The Great Wall of Tea.”
You have more than 50 different loose leaf teas to choose from in this cafe. Many from the countries that produce it most, Europe and China.
- Jasmine
- Earl Grey
- Green tea
- Oolong
- Blooming flowers
- The list goes on and on.
My favorite part of visiting this tea house coffee shop was I could get a big pot of tea I desired and find a table to sit at for hours. The teapots cost no more than 3 dollars and you can refill them with hot water whenever you please.
This is the perfect place to get away with a book, sit and relax, and drink your giant pot of tea. Bring a friend if you can too.
Their food selection is outstanding and includes amazing soups and sandwiches. To see more of their menu, go here.
Yellow Mountain Tea House – Old Colorado City
Photo Credit: Yellow Mountain Tea House
In Old Colorado City just near Colorado Springs’ downtown area, there is a Chinese tea house known as Yellow Mountain Tea House. They have tea service just as they would in a tea house in China, which is what I love most about the place.
My girlfriends and go here as often as we can, usually on Fridays, and it is packed. There you’ll find dozens of teas to choose from, many of which are from China. But there are other delicious blends to choose from as well if Green Tea or Oolongs are not your preference.
Yellow Mountain’s Tea Selection
I love Yellow Mountain Tea House because of their selection, much of which consists of teas from China. The Asian Pacific Market in Colorado Springs, Colorado has a wide selection, but the quality is just not up to par with Yellow Mountain Tea House.
Some of the teas they have include:
- white tea
- green tea
- black tea
- oolong tea
- pu’erh tea
- chai tea
- herbal tea.
You simply won’t find a selection like this anywhere else.
As for the tea ceremony, which mirrors the traditional tea ceremonies in China, it is recommended you sit in and enjoy your tea at Yellow Mountain Tea House. Tea to go is frowned upon.
However, you can take the tea home with you! All teas are available to take home in ounces.
The Dining Experience
Inside, you can sit in a dim corner at wooden tables with beads separating you from other parties. Or you can sit in front of the tea house underneath the warm light. Be warned, at those tables, you’ll have to take off your shoes.
From there, you will have a service tend to your table and pour your teas for you, brushing the tea in their traditional teacups.
You can also order off their menu, which consists of:
- steamed buns
- dumplings
- soups
- rice cakes
- a huge case full of ice-cold gelato at the front too.
See their entire food menu here!
If you take your friends, you could be there for a few hours chatting and enjoying your tea until the leaves grow weak. At Yellow Mountain Tea House, you can also take these teas and tea sets home with you.
It may be a good way to host gatherings at home in the future.
Have you been to either of these tea houses? Leave your comments below!
