Imperial Tea Court

I just got my Imperial Tea Court (ITC) newsletter and thought I'd sing the praises of this company. It's one of my favorites. I took this photo, which I love, many years ago in the original tearoom in San Francisco. I remember so much from this day! I had a long walk to get to the tearoom, through parts of Chinatown. It was a crisp, sunny autumn morning. San Francisco was subdued. Along the way, I stopped to take photos of unusual fruits and Asian-style dresses in vibrant reds, greens and yellows. I was learning to use my Mom's metal-bodied Pentax, a great camera. I was pleased that I had found the tearoom on my own, as it was in a quiet neighborhood with a subtle sign.

I had an amazing conversation at the tearoom, not with Roy, but with one of his head staff. She introduced me to pu-erh teas. This was long before pu-erhs had experienced their recent fame. I tasted several, at first surprised by the aroma and flavor but refraining from a hasty judgement to allow for finding the sweetness on my tongue in the aftertaste. I treasure that moment and memory. I was the only one in the tea room and had the pleasure of soaking in the slanted light, the clay teapots, the aroma and flavor of the pu-erhs, and the tutorial from the tea expert.

Alas, this tearoom has closed. But there are others in the San Fran/Berkeley area.

Roy Fong is one of our leading US experts in tea, especially Chinese teas. He's an interesting man - check out his bio.

A few years ago, Mom gave me a subscription to an ITC tea club. It was so much fun! I highly encourage it as a gift to your special tea lover. (It is pricey, tho there are options.) Here are additional resources for more info about the Imperial Tea Court:

• Online store
• Blog
• Facebook page - virtual teahouse Play the game, "What tea are you?" I'm an oolong.