The People Who Pour the Tea
Why hospitality became my favorite part of traveling for tea...
I’ve recently returned from my second tea tour with the intrepid Monica. This trip was a bit more adventurous than our earlier trip to the western part of Virginia; we decided to seek out more unusual tea houses—branching out from the traditional English afternoon teas we normally visit.
I love the traditional English tea, but it felt like time to discover what else was out there to experience.
As it turns out, Washington DC has wonderful options for exploring tea traditions from around the world. We planned an ambitious itinerary—traditional English teas alongside Turkish, Thai, and Chinese experiences for a total of five teas. We were excited to see how different cultures celebrate tea.
Hospitality was present everywhere we went. But in a few places, there was something more. And that made all the difference.
It didn’t take long to realize that while tea mattered, the people serving it mattered even more.
Afternoon teas can have wonderful blends and beautiful delicacies to eat, but for me, what makes one tea house stand out from another is the people.
Ching Ching Cha was extraordinary—a tiny shop in northwest DC that offers an authentic Chinese tea experience. No food is served and no sugar or milk offered—gasp! But what is present is a very attentive and knowledgeable tea server who patiently described the Chinese tea ritual and answered every question that popped up during the two hours I was there.
Something that could have felt very simple turned into one of the most memorable tea experiences I’ve had. Our server spoke about the teas and the ceremony with such warmth and enthusiasm that I felt welcomed into something meaningful—something I hadn’t expected at all.
Another stop on our itinerary was a Turkish afternoon tea in Alexandria, Virginia. On our way there, we randomly stepped into a small shop a block away that turned out to be a Turkish gift store. While browsing, we were offered a cup of Turkish tea—and cookies. We didn’t buy anything, but the hospitality extended to us was generous and genuine.
Later, during our tea at the Turkish Coffee Lady, we mentioned the experience to a young man sitting next to us. He smiled and said, “That’s how it is in Turkey—the Turkish people are very hospitable, and they love their tea.”
Inside the café, the beautiful tea service and delicious delicacies were certainly memorable. But what stayed with me most were the three women who took time to talk with us about the tea and the traditions behind it. Their enthusiasm and knowledge transformed what could have simply been a lovely afternoon into something far more meaningful.
Even the traditional English tea we attended at the St. Regis carried that same spirit. The hotel was celebrating its hundredth anniversary, and the staff spoke about its history with genuine pride and affection. What could have been simply an elegant afternoon tea became something warmer because of the people who clearly loved the place they represented.
There was nothing inherently wrong with any of the other teas we experienced. But what made a few of them stand out was the sense that we were being invited into something important to the people serving it.
For that short moment, I wasn’t just a visitor having tea—I felt included in a tradition that mattered deeply to them.
And perhaps that is what I’m discovering through these tea travels.
The tea itself is wonderful, of course. But what stays with me long after the cup is empty is the welcome that comes with it.