Awesome tea store with a large variety and a knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Tin Roof Teas is only the second tea store I have ever had the pleasure of frequenting. The staff is not only knowledgeable but friendly to boot. They are willing and able to answer any questions you have about the tea. If you have questions about where the tea is grown, how it is processed, what the proper temperature for the water, the brewing time and anything else you may want to know they will probably have an answer.
Enough about the great staff there though. The tea is the star of the show. It is showcased front and center. Before you even step into the store you are greeted by the window display showing off some of their more lovely tea accouterments. There is also usually an urn of hot tea in which they are showcasing one of their wonderful teas. If the taste of the sample outside does not suit your taste then you can come inside to try a few more samples. Usually they have another hot tea and a chilled tea.
Once you actually enter the store you are greeted by the welcoming and invigorating smell of the multitude of teas that line the wall. Their selection of teas is one of the largest I have seen in one store. I usually like to take a minute and take a deep breath. This usually puts me in the right frame of mind to truly enjoy my experience. Take a few moments to peruse their many tea pots, cups, kettles and travel mugs. There is always something in the store to captivate and tempt the tea enthusiast.
Once you are ready to look at the teas the staff will gladly bring down a tin and allow you to look at the leaf and inhale in its delightful scent. I personally would recommend the Oolong shalimar; which is a lovely floral tea with delightful tones of passion fruit, mango, rose petals and red aronia berries; as well as the China Fancy White Peony; which is high grade white tea which has a delightful flavor with tones of honey and chestnut. If something should catch your attention you can always get a cup of tea to go of anything on the tea wall. This is not only convenient but also a great way for you to try something before you invest in a tin that will sit in your pantry collecting dust if you do not enjoy it.
A previous reviewer had mentioned that a lack of seating is the only thing that prevents this from being a true tea house however there is seating available outside and if the weather is a bit unkind there is seating in a back room. I have sat outside on many a sunny days sipping a cup of tea that was recommended to me by the staff and enjoyed the moment. Also if you like to have a bit of a snack with your tea they also sell various cookies and sweets. One of my favorite things, beside the teas obviously, is that they have a large variety of truffles kept in a cooled display.
If you are looking for a tea shop I would highly recommend this.
