The Tea Centre

"The Glasshouse", 146 Pitt Street Mall, Sydney

Monday-Friday, 9am-5:30pm; Thursday, 9am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-5pm, Sunday, Closed.

Tea is freaking awesome. How can a few dried leaves...oh noes, you can't question the tea!! IT JUST CAN OTAY!
This place is gorgeous. Tucked within a small 'mall' off Pitt Street, you could easily think that you walked into a shop in a small country town somewhere in the Southern Highlands. But you don't actually. Fitted out with beautiful mahogany shelves which are lined with assorted tin-boxed teas - both exotic and variations in quality and origin on the well-known - and a little balcony in one corner of the shop which houses extra tables for the café, it is like a dream. And thus you are surrounded by tea sets of all shapes and sizes: the traditional Turkish çay sets, colourful mis-matched saucers and cups, and individually designed Japanese wares. Even the individual teapots were incredible: among all the different ceramics and patterns there were Islamic jugs, tiny ones that resembled small mammal-like creatures, and a huge massive red one that would have held probably 12 or more cups. 'allo, 'allo, 'allo!

I felt like Alice.

So being a little lost one amongst such great leaves...I put my trust in a tea connoisseur in the form of a friend and went with Pacific Sun. WOW. It was gorgeous. I was dubious, at first because of the name, but was confident that my tea was easily the best out of all that was chosen, after my first sip. Apparently it is a Chinese black tea that is infused with tropical fruits and flowers including dried pieces of orange, mango and guava. Really naturally sweet and dark to look at. And as tasty as they come!^^

The other blends and origins sampled were rather of the nice, also. The popped corn and toasted rice was a surprising one! Goodness!

Conclusion: tea is a happy-maker!