6 Ways to Get Your Tea Fix in Rhode Island
What's brewing with Rhode Island’s cozy tea shops and loose-leaf blend creators.
Ceremony modern tea house to Providence. Photography by Erin McGinn.
This article was created in collaboration with Rhode Island Commerce.
Whether enjoying a steaming mug at a cafe, indulging in a decadent high tea experience or purchasing loose leaf blends to prepare at home, these tea shops and purveyors all guarantee delicious, quality leaves.
Ceremony Tea Shop: This sleek and modern tea house serves high-quality tea in Providence’s bustling College Hill neighborhood. Step into the shop and discover an oasis of calm. Pick up a lavender matcha latte to sip on or a mochi cake to snack on. Linger over a cup of tea made with leaves sourced directly from small farms in Japan, Taiwan and China. Book a tea tasting session or a traditional tea ceremony and experience the complexities of oolong, green and black teas.
How to visit: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
The details: 231 Thayer St., Providence, 401-439-4263, ceremonypvd.com
Schasteâ: Drink a soothing cup of green, black or white tea at the minimalist cafe. The teas offered have been sourced from farmers across the globe. Enjoy one of their crepes, such as the savory fig and prosciutto or the sweet Cajèta crepe, which features Mexican caramel and toasted almonds.
How to visit: Open daily, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
The details: 300 Broadway St., Providence, 401-432-7202, schastea.com
Trinity Confections: Experience English high tea at this Warwick teahouse. Whimsical and fun, this experience is perfect for special occasions. Enjoy homemade scones, tea sandwiches and cookies while sipping tea from delicate porcelain cups.
How to visit: Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The details: 1625 Warwick Ave., Warwick, 401-681-4902, facebook.com/trinitytearoom
Teatime at Hotel Viking: Indulge in this elegant afternoon tea service at the beautiful Hotel Viking in downtown Newport. Served with Gilded Age grandeur, this weekend service is the perfect reprieve after a day exploring the cliff walk and mansions of the City By the Sea. Enjoy loose leaf tea served alongside bite-sized cakes and dainty tea sandwiches.
How to visit: Saturday and Sunday 3-4:30 p.m. Reservations required.
The details: 1 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 401-847-3300, hotelviking.com/dining
The Black Leaf Tea and Culture Shop: This Rhode Island-based loose leaf tea purveyor offers blends carefully and creatively designed by owner and founder Amber Jackson. Try the Chi-Town blend, a nod to Jackson’s Chicago roots. Twenty percent of sales from this tea blend are donated to My Block, My Hood, My City, a nonprofit that supports underprivileged youth in Chicago. Jackson pairs her passion for tea with her commitment to supporting and celebrating Black culture and hosts monthly virtual meet-ups for Black professionals.
How to visit: Order online or find the teas at stores across the state.
The details: theblackleaftea.com
Farmacy Herbs: This farm offers loose-leaf herbal tea blends made from herbs grown organically at their West Greenwich farm or sourced from Mountain Rose Herbs, an Oregon-based organic wholesaler. Farmer and founder Mary Blue is a trained herbalist who understands the ways in which herbs can support a healthy lifestyle. She has tea blends to help an insomniac sleep, to soothe upset stomachs or clear congested sinuses. In the summer, the farm also hosts herbal medicine classes.
How to visit: Sunday noon-5 p.m., Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday at the Farm Fresh Winter Market.
The details: 28 Cemetery St., Providence, 401-270-5223, farmacyherbs.com
