Tea Shout-Out: Hanazono

The Tea Shout-Out highlights restaurants and other businesses who go the extra mile to serve good quality tea. 

This Tea Shout-Out goes to Hanazono in historic downtown Port Townsend.  Enjoy a pot of Japanese tea with your meal and for something on the sweet side, consider Nigori Matcha sake by Kizakura.

Genmaicha

Kizakura Nigori Matcha

The Spice & Tea Exchange of Port Townsend

The Spice & Tea Exchange is located on Water Street in historic downtown Port Townsend.

The Florida-based chain has shops across the U.S. and specializes, as the name suggests, in spices and teas.  Chefs, gourmands, and connoisseurs may find temptation among the herbs, florals, berries, smoked salts and salt infusions, flavored sugars, oils, seasoned blends and rubs, and gifts.

The shop offers a nice selection of loose leaf teas and tisanes, most of which are flavored blends along with some classics.  During my visit, I noticed some teas that aren't reflected on the website, so you may find a location-specific treasure or two. 

The Spice & Tea Exchange also has a good variety of teapots and other teaware available.

Address:
929 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Hours:
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Pippa's Real Tea

Pippa's Real Tea has changed ownership following Pippa's retirement in early 2020 and is now Cafe Tenby.  Visitors can continue to look forward to tea (including afternoon tea service) and baked goods at this location.

Pippa's Real Tea opened in 2012 and is located on Water Street in historic downtown Port Townsend.

  

The tea room, owned by tea enthusiast and educator Pippa Mills, blends modern and traditional with architectural elements reflecting the history of the building which dates back to 1886 and mid-century modern style decor.

The space is well-lit and inviting with courteous and knowledgeable staff and plentiful indoor seating options at the tea bar and window bar, at tables and chairs and on sofas.  Outdoor courtyard seating is available during the warmer seasons and a fireplace adds warmth to the interior during the cooler seasons.  During our visit, music from the 1930s and 40s played in the background.

Pippa's offers a selection of over 100 loose leaf teas and tisanes, all of which can be prepared hot or cold, in-house or to-go.  The menu includes sandwiches, salads, desserts, pastries and other freshly baked goods, as well as wine.  Cream Tea is available daily and High Tea is available on Saturdays.

My friend and I commemorated our first visit to Port Townsend with High Tea.  A menu was provided with tea recommendations, though we were assured that we could select from any of the teas in their inventory if we preferred something different.  If Pippa is on site, consider inquiring about the "backroom teas" which are not listed on the tea menu and include some very nice oolongs.

My tea selection was a smoky Russian Caravan which was served in a French press with a timer and a double wall glass cup.  Seeing the dance of the tea leaves as they unfurled was a treat.

The food was delicious, generously portioned, and beautifully presented.  

  

Note that High Tea is only available on Saturdays and does require a reservation.

Closing hours sometimes vary, so do consider calling ahead if you are planning to visit late in the afternoon.

Address:
636 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368

Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Monday & Tuesday