During the work day, it’s easy for me to get stuck in a routine of balancing espresso shots and soy lattes to keep going. I decided I wanted to switch up my often double daily dose of caffeine (and shave off some calories) and try something new. Two Teavana Travel Tumblers later, I have quite the collection of loose leaf teas and feel great.
I was particularly interested in the health benefits of tea. Tea contains a number of antioxidants, which some sources claim help fight off illnesses. Green tea and black tea are especially high in thearubigins, epicatechins and catechins. These antioxidants, as well as other properties of tea, make the drink a powerful defender of your health. Check out TIME’s list of “13 Reasons Tea Is Good for You” to learn more about these good-for-you benefits.
Here are some of my favorite tea spots in the Mall, so you can explore the world of tea yourself:
Chatime
Located on Level 3, East, Chatime features more than 70 drinks freshly prepared daily and is one of the best places in the Twin Cities to enjoy authentic Taiwanese, freshly brewed bubble tea (sweet tea with little pearls of tapioca) and Japanese snacks! Chatime even features an “Energetic Healthy Series” of tea for a healthy pick-me-up. I love the Vanilla Chai Milk Bubble Tea.
Teavana
Enjoy a peaceful oasis in the Mall. Teavana, located on Level 1, West, serves its healthy tea in gorgeous teapots, so you can relax and take in the experience with your cup of tea. Grab a cup on the go with more than 25 different teas to mix & match. In the winter, warm up with the Spiced Apple Cider (seasonal availability) or S’mores Tea, or cool off in the heat of summer with a refreshing Moroccan Mint. Try a drop of Teavana’s Rock Sugar to enhance the natural sweetness.
Sencha Tea Bar
How do you take your tea? Hot? Cold? Blended? Shaken? Whatever your preference, you can get it at Sencha Tea Bar at Level 3, North. I’m a sucker for blending the ice in my tea for a cold summer shake. Looking for something healthy that’s still indulging? Try a Taro Chai Shake, no sugar, sub honey and add tapioca pearls.
David’s Tea
With a wall of 150 tea varieties, there is something for everyone at David’s Tea. From matcha to rooibos and everything in between, the staff will give you the rundown on flavor profiles, caffeine content and health benefits of each tea. Don’t miss the tumblers, gift sets and steepers to complete your at-home collection.