Franchia, NYC

Franchia is the tea house I visit the most in NYC, simply because it is very near to Grand Central, my usual arrival point. Franchia also serves a range of Korean vegetarian fare that is prepared very well. The tea selection is not large, but the tea it does have is excellent. The highlight of the tea menu is the selection of Korean tea, particularly the wild green tea--of which they have a first, second and third picking. The tea is from Mt. Jilee, Korea and each picking is very unique. The first picking has the subtlest and purest taste, while the third picking is stronger and not as pure (because it was picked later). Each picking is visibly different: the first picking has more buds and is downy (maybe fuzzy would be a better descriptor) while the third is darker and not downy. This is also the only tea shop that I know sells Korean tea. The interior of the tea house is also very calming and interesting (see photos).

Tea in New York City

Yesterday I traveled from Richmond to Poughkeepsie, via New York City. And I visited two tea shops while in NY. The first tea shop I visited was The Tea Gallery, but it was closed. This saddened me because it was the tea shop I really wanted to go to. I am now relegated to staring at their website until the next time I visit NYC; http://www.theteagallery.com/.

Carytown Teas

A view of the interior of Carytown Teas, located across from the CVS and Ukrops at the western edge of Carytown. (I will hopefully have more photos to share later).


This tea house review is going to look at my everyday tea shop, Carytown Teas. I live six or so blocks away and as far as I can tell, Carytown Teas has the biggest selection of tea in Richmond.

Carytown Teas claims to carry over 100 varieties of tea as well as teaware and limited baked goods. I like this store because it is all about tea and Patricia (the owner) and Misty (the tea mixologist) are friendly and always trying to please whoever walks in the door--spreading their interest in tea. They are also the most knowledgeable tea shop purveyors in Richmond, at least out of the tea shops I have been to (TeaCo, Cuppa Tea, Torman's).

The strength of Carytown Teas is their different tea blends and selection of pu-erhs. Their weakness is in the variety of green and oolong tea (ofcourse, almost every tea shop in the US has this problem, as far as I am concerned).

So go to Carytown Teas to get some loose leaf tea or a cup to go if you are in Richmond or passing through looking for good tea without frills (at least almost without frills).

Tea on the James River

Today, I went to the James River and brought some Pi Lo Chun and a portable tea set with me. It was a little windy and chilly, but otherwise beautiful.