Steeped in Sarasota

Sarasota may be known as a vacation spot for many Northerners, but what about those looking for a quick break from their hectic day? We found that Sarasota is steeped in teahouse tradition — relaxation and rejuvenation are merely a cup away.

Tastefully British
2236 Gulf Gate Drive
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday
Call: 927-2612

Tastefully British offers customers a high-tea experience and more.

“It’s a home away from home,” says owner Debbie Gypps.

Gypps and her family, originally from Peterborough, England, have owned the teahouse since 2001. They say although there is no secret to making a proper cup of tea, there is an advantage of enjoying the moment.

“You don’t see teahouses as often as you used to,” says Gypps. “Now, there are chain restaurants serving tea from tea bags. It’s not the same.”

Gypps and her family make all of the food served at Tastefully British. Customers can choose from a menu of authentic British items, including lemon drizzle cake and Victoria sponge. There are more than 60 teas available, mainly loose-leaf, including green and white teas, not just English breakfast or Earl Grey.

Elixir Tea House
1926 Hilllview St.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday
Call: 373-1800

When Gyula and Zsuzsanna Lukacs, right, founded Elixir Tea House in December, they had one goal in mind: to offer customers quality tea with quality time.

“Customers can come in for 10 minutes, and those 10 minutes could change their day,” says Gyula Lukacs.

The Lukacses want to help people slow down and enjoy themselves, as well as connect with others over tea, coffee and conversation. Elixir has two back rooms that can be used by small parties or individuals without a reservation. The Lukacses hope to connect with the community by hosting book signings, open-mic nights, art shows and live music.

Elixir’s loose-leaf and fruit teas are available to take home in bulk. The teahouse’s fruit teas are made with dried fruit that is brewed with boiling water. The result is a variety of flavors, from mango to blueberry muffin. And, if you’re in the mood for something sweeter, any tea can be made into a non-alcoholic cocktail.

Tea House
1869 Fruitville Road
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Call: 346-6361

With an outdoor tea garden and living room-style décor inside, the Tea House is a tea-lover’s haven. Four employees, self-proclaimed “tea gurus,” help customers find the right loose-leaf tea to try out of the selection of 140 varieties.

“The teas are unique and creative,” says customer Paula Petlowany, right. “If you want to be taken to another world, stop by.”

The Tea House sells pastries from its neighbor, The Cookie Cottage. A cup of tea ranges from $3 to $6, with pots for two people starting at $6. Customers can even have their tea re-steeped to add more time to their tasting experience.

BENEFITS AND TEA TYPES
Most teas, including black, green and oolong, are harvested from a bush called camellia sinensis. Different oxidation processes produce different types of tea, but they all share the benefit of antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells.

Black tea: Most people drink black tea to wake up because it contains caffeine and theophylline, a stimulant that promotes alertness. Researchers believe that drinking black tea regularly can lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol. The suggested brewing time of black tea is five minutes.

Green tea: Like black tea, green tea contains antioxidants and helps lower the risk of heart disease. Many turn to green tea to help relax because it has less caffeine than black tea. In green tea-drinking cultures, most have three cups per day. Some studies also suggest it increases metabolism. The suggested brewing time of green tea is three to five minutes, depending on desired strength.

Oolong tea: Oolong tea is partially fermented and is said to sharpen thinking skills and improve mental alertness. This unusual-sounding tea can boost the immune system and help treat diabetes.