by Chrissy Iley
A few months ago I gave up drinking coffee. My relationship with coffee was as deep and embedded as my relationship with any lover or family member. I needed five strong cappuccinos to get out of bed as opposed to 5k like a supermodel.
In the months that I have been without my coffee friend I wondered why there are so many coffee shops? Why I still make arrangements to meet people for coffee and drink water or green tea?
Why is coffee still the sexy drink and tea the boring one? Why does coffee seem sophisticated, European, intellectual and tea seem domestic, working class, and dull?
I have wondered what it would be like if Starbucks served mainly tea. I wondered why I used to like to ask celebrities in interviews how do you like your coffee? A psychologist told me how you like your coffee is how you like your sex.
How we laughed when Will.i.am said, ‘Really sweet and creamy.’ How we laughed when others said, ‘Black and strong.’ How this wouldn’t work for tea as I like mine green or licorice.
With these thoughts on board I entered the American Tea Room in Beverly Hills. The soon to be expanding empire of David Barenholtz, who literally treks the globe searching for the perfect tea. Only one in three of his teas is actually from America and he’s recently been on an expedition to China and Morocco. He has the nose for tea like a master sommelier of wine, and due to a recent backer he will soon open another branch in Downtown LA and then, at some point, London.
He has an extensive tea bar where delicious green tea and coconut iced lattes, as well as many more delicacies can be whipped up. My first encounter there was for a special event where the world’s greatest cocktail chef, Matthew Biancaniello, had created some cocktails with tea infused liquor.
There was Tangier infused tequila with Blenheim apricots and shiso with a Sleeping Beauty brew. There was chai vodka with condensed milk. Matthew’s take on a Thai iced tea. Pearls of passion fruit finished it off. It was completely gorgeous. Possibly the best thing I’d had in my mouth since the previous night where Matthew was doing his weekly pop-up at Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake. There I tasted tequila infused with 47 curry spices with blueberries and rose petals. It was there that I was asked to go to the tea party. I would have said yes to anything at that point, but I’m glad I did nonetheless.
Matthew also applies his genius to mocktails, so there were other beautiful teas infused with wild strawberries and more with cherries or apricots.
The Tearoom also served tea inspired food treats such as carrots marinated in lapsang along with green pea crostini. Keep a keen eye out for its first location in London.
Visit americantearoom.com and matthewbiancaniello.com for more information.