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BARBADOS - "Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage." ~Catherine Douzel
One of the newest gems on the South Coast of Barbados is the cozy teahouse, NovelTeas. Established in 2007 by owners Raj Thani and his wife, NovelTeas opened its doors to the public in 2008 with the mission of providing a haven for visitors; somewhere to slow down, reconnect and focus on health and balance.
Two years later and NovelTeas is now a popular breakfast venue offering a full range of teas unavailable anywhere else on the island. With inviting blends such as the Rooibos Chai, Chocolate Monkey, Long Island Strawberry Green Tea and Chocolate Mint (yum!), NovelTeas draws you in with the approximately 60 loose leaf teas that line the shelves. There is even a smoked black tea perfect for cooking meats! Who knew?!
Speaking to owner Raj, you can truly appreciate how different NovelTeas is from the typical bistro. Although the food is fantastic (I highly recommend the omelettes and the salads which come with a tea vinaigerette), the main focus is the tea. Raj beams with excitement when speaking about his teas and without hesitation he will pop out a sample bag and provide you with a taste of something unique. From hot cups to iced delights, and even medicinal brews, NovelTeas truly has a little bit of everything. The fruit juice and tea combination (trust me on this one) is amazing – especially the mango!
Open Mon-Sat from 7:30 am – 5:00 pm for breakfast and lunch, NovelTeas is worth a visit and more. Tea parties and tasting sessions can be arranged for groups and deliveries are also available. I recommend a tasting session especially for first-timers – Raj is brimming with information and enjoys sharing the secrets of seeping the perfect cup. Each order of a hot brew is brought to you in a clear glass with a small infuser and timer so that you can watch the ‘agony of the tea leaves’, the term used to indicate the unfurling of the tea leaf during steeping. Future plans include the launch of tea cocktails (I’m there!) complete with bartender and Vegas flair, as well as the introduction of 15-20 more varieties of tea.
I must mention that one of the things that really impresses about NovelTeas is the sincerity of its owners and staff. Mr. and Mrs. Thani have done a fantastic job in creating a quiet retreat along the busy South Coast. They are extremely committed to helping people, especially children and the elderly and are always looking for ways to give back to the community. At present, the photographs that adorn the walls were all taken by students of the Garrison Secondary School and I encourage you to stop in and take a look.
So, as the English would say, ‘Fancy a cuppa?’... See you soon at NovelTeas.
NovelTeas
228-teas (228-8327)
Novelteas.info@gmail.com
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