E loves tea

I’m in love with tea. It many be nutty to some, but to me it’s sheer bliss. Here is my story:

I’ve been a tea drinker as far back as I can remember. And, I came from a family of coffee drinkers (now converted tea drinkers.)

Looking back I have no idea where, or how this love for tea began, I just know it was always there. “It is your Destiny” as Yoda would say. I can remember drinking Lemon Zinger by Celestial Seasonings and really liking it. I was partial to herbal teas back in the day and really had no idea there was anything beyond Celestial and Lipton.

Fast forward to New York City (sometime in 1990’s) when I walked into this little tea shoppe on Greenwhich in New York City. I was living just up the way on 15th Street and 8th Avenue (back when Chelsea was cool)  and was working as a textile colorist for a cheeky couple from England. They employed designers from the UK who were, of course, homesick for some authentic British food.

Caroline, a fellow co-worker and textile designer, was the loveliest of girls and had invited me to have dinner with her at Tea & Sympathy (which is fabulous, by the way). When I walked in, I just knew my future was in tea — even though owner, Nicky Perry has said to me on more than one occasion (and I quote) “Are you mad??!!” Somehow, some way… I knew it would happen.

And it did.

There’s a lot more to the story, but I’ll fast forward to July 2007 when I ventured into the world of tea by purchasing a small unknown online tea company out of Canada with no customers, and no presence in the US called Pearl Fine Teas. Now officially based out the Washington, DC/Maryland area, Pearl Fine Teas sells loose leaf teas to people who appreciate extraordinary quality and flavor. We are totally TeaCentric.

“Why?” you ask, did I buy a company with virtually nothing to offer? Because, I’m mad! (Actually, it was because I liked the logo). See? I am mad!

By day, I operate as the Founder and Creative Director of a design agency in Washington, DC (hence buying something based on a cool logo).  Every other minute I’m a devoted tea lover, merchant (and consumer) who values a tasty cup of tea.

My hope is to grow this little “Pearl” into something that will make people as happy as it makes me, as I share the tea treasures and information I find and bring it directly to you via the Pearl Fine Teas website and this completely unknown TeaLove blog and Twitter. Come find me: www.twitter.com/pearlfineteas.

Is anybody out there?

E