The Tea Farm

by Jessie Bristow

jessie bristow / KA LAMAKUA 

The remnants of the Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea. 

Half the fun is seeing what teas you like the most.

Step into the small elegance of a quaint, clean, and soothing atmosphere and learn to relax.

Not your typically rush filled café or coffee shop with clerks screaming out your order and lines filled with frustrated beings who are having withdrawals from caffeine and are looking to get their next fix. No hardcore drug dealers in these parts, but just a man who has got what you are looking for, and a place to embrace while you consume.

There has been recent news of the Tea Farm: yes it was opened by a UH alumni, yes it is just down the street, but why should we trade in our beloved addiction of lattes, frappuccinos, steamed, whipped, iced, heart racing, blood pumping coffee?

The answer is… you don't really have to. It is probably for the better that we put down the milk diluted sugar stuffed beverage for once and embrace the culture and tradition of drinking tea, just for health reasons alone. Don't count tea out, it's not over until the fat lady sings, and in this case the fat lady may be considering switching to tea over the quadruple shot syrup added creamy vente that is contributing to her future type two diabetes and obesity.

The Tea Farm Café's environment and style are what attracts people. For those who have grown up on Lipton and Snapple as being the furthest extent of your tea drinking experience, broaden your horizons by taking some time to gander at the selection of about 60 different teas to choose from. Each one has its own origin, scent, and appearance. Trying a few is the fun part of this little establishment, order a cup of Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green Tea and watch the leaves slowly unfold as the flavor consumes the rest of the cup. The shop is small, comfortable, clean, and it is down to earth. The hardwood floors, modern furniture, and little sofa make it a place to just take a breath and slow down.

The idea of a calm place to drink tea where the drug-addicted folk that wake up early and try to run America don't bother you with their daily dosage is a double-edged sword. The size and tranquility of The Tea Farm Café is what draws in its poetic clientele. But as soon as you start expanding café size, become more popular, and adjust to the capitalistic market to fit in more consumers, you drive out the originality of your basis idea of having a great place to get away from the rush. 

Luckily, the Tea Farm is attracting the kind of customers who take the time out of their busy day to sit and enjoy their tea instead of the people who choose a more direct injection of caffeine.