For me, there’s nothing more refreshing than a chilled cup of Iced Tea, organic of course. Out of all the tea houses, I have been to, American Tea Room has the best source of organic teas located in the heart of Beverly Hills.
I had the pleasure to personally meet David, one of the owners of the American Tea Room with his business partner Randy. David and Randy wanted to create a clean bright atmosphere for friends and family to socialize and provide a remarkable tea selection to deliver a delightful tea experience. The love and dedication to educating others about all the extraordinary experiences tea have to offer makes the American Tea Room that much more enjoyable.
The American Tea House has been open for 8 years. David and Randy built up their selection of organic teas throughout the years from their travels around the world. They recognized a trend for tea houses in Europe and the lack of great tea houses in the Los Angeles area. David and Randy hand selected what they believed to be the most remarkable loose and organic teas and developed their own collection, which soon evolved into the American Tea House.
When I arrived, I noticed how organized and clean their tea room looked, but I took interest in the tea sample stations. Who doesn’t like a great sample?
Randy greeted me with a huge smile and directed me to the Choco Late tea station. OMG! Not only was it chocolate tea, it was organic! Now, these guys are speaking my language!
I filled up my tea sample cup and inhaled in the glorious aroma of warm chocolate milk. For those of you who are not familiar with the infamous Dessert Darling, this one would definitely get a golden cherry award. I’ll take two bags, please!
I finally was introduced to David. He immediately remembered me by my simplistic organic questions earlier over the phone.
Behind the register, there were over 150 loose tea varieties from China, India, Sri Lanka Africa, Taiwan, and Japan. I wouldn’t be surprised if I was missing a couple places. The benefits from these teas are endless.
Background
Tea is known as nature’s wonder drug. Japanese and Chinese have the longest life expectancy rates in the world. Article Tea time is all of the time!
There are 6 types of tea’s that I know about:
- Green Tea: Processed the least, Unwilted and unoxidized. Some green tea is allowed to ferment/compost and is called post-fermented tea known as Pu-erh tea.
- Herbal Tea: Made from anything other than Camellia sinensis such as; Flowers, seeds, roots, leaves, peels, and herbs
- Oolong Tea: Wilted, bruised and partially oxidized.
- White Tea: Unwilted and unoxidized.
- Black Tea or Red Tea: Partially dried, sometimes crushed wilted fully oxidized and fermented. Length of time fermented determines if the tea will be black or red.
- Yellow Tea: Unwilted and unoxidized but allowed to yellow
The leaves are called camellia sinensis. To determine the type of tea all depends on how the tea is processed. Camellia sinensis has cancer-fighting properties and amino acids such as; Polyphenols, theanine, vitamins, minerals, and methylxanthines.
- Polyphenols: Antioxidants that have been known to oxidant blood, counteract free radicals that are known to develop cancer and disease. Helps with the immune system, blood clotting, neutralize the growth of tumors, lower cholesterol, bad breath, intestinal inflammation and help deactivate cancer promoters.
- Theanine: Boost disease-fighting capacity gamma delta T cells, reduce mental and physical stress, improves mood and cognition.
- Vitamins and minerals: Strengthens the immune system and overall tonic effect on the body.
- Methylxanthines: Stimulates airways and heart rate.
History
I read the first infused Camellia sinesis plant was infused 4700 years ago! Our buddies in China were told by the emperor Shennong that tea was able to treat people with tumors, abscesses, bladder ailments, and lethargy. Article Lethargy means fatigue that’s associated with physical or mental weakness. Through Buddhism, tea was spread to Korea and Japan. The Western nations jumped on the tea train in the 1800’s. Article
The American Tea Room has a Pu-erh tea that’s almost been aged for 20 years and a rare loose tea that only grows once a year that costs $150 for 3.5 ounces. No, I didn’t make a type-o, $150. So for you tea condensers, this is a must-have for your collection.
For more information on the American Tea Room check out their website. www.americantearoom.com
I went home with the Midori Sencha for my home pressed iced tea (already prepared 12 cups in the refrigerator), the Earl Grey Shanghai, Pu Er Imperial, Jasmine Pearls (I haven’t tried those 3 yet), my Choco Late (The one I hope will win a Dessert Darling’s golden cherry) and a new 6 cup tea press.
After I tasted the Midori Sencha organic tea, I immediately called David and asked if he would offer my Awake and Living readers a discount. He agreed to a 20% in-store and online discount through the month of September on all loose and ORGANIC teas! Of course emphasis on the organic!
American Tea Room: 401 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, Ca. 90210 (310) 271-7922
FOR ONLINE DISCOUNT USE CODE AWAKEANDLIVING20 AT CHECK OUT
Whenever I find a product or shop that provides quality products I will be sure to ask them to extend discounted offers to my readers. Enjoy the discount and let me know how your experience went at the American Tea Room. If you have any tea questions feel free to ask. xxx <3