When people think of Harlem they may think of the Shake (the dance, or the burger place) and the Globetrotters – but not necessarily tea.
As a Harlem resident, I have learned that a great cup of tea does not have be brewed at home or require venturing to Chinatown to purchase some loose-leaf blend.
I am a demanding tea drinker: nothing makes me happier than a beautifully crafted chai. Before my Harlem tea explorations my taste buds would often be insulted by a cup of shock-inducing syrup mixed with milk, instead of the proper tea/latte hybrid that a chai is supposed to be. Not anymore.
Even iced tea cravings in Harlem may lead to the experimental love often reserved for coffee. Fortunately, Tsion, the Edge and Serengeti Teas and Spices are making tea time a healthy and welcoming event in my neighborhood.
Tsion – 763 St Nicholas Avenue
Tsion is a cozy Ethiopian restaurant in upper Harlem. If you want a warm greeting, Ethiopian tibs, an organic chai, or a pure strong ginger tea that will clear your sinuses after a few sips, this is the place for you. On the right evening, you may enjoy a poetry slam or an independent film screening. Unless you must have a side of honey, feel free to let your taste buds dance without being chaperoned by sugar, since Tsion’s chai brew is natural with no sugar added.
The Edge – 101 Edgecombe Avenue
As you stroll down this quiet block on Edgecombe Avenue, step over the edge into a cozy cafe run by two sisters who fuse their Jamaican, British and American roots into the menu. My favorite tea drink is their signature creamy chai latte. If you want to go dairy-free, I would recommend ordering it with almond milk.
If you are not in the mood for chai, try the house-made sorrel, a luscious purple liquid poured over ice. Sorrel is a Jamaican herbal concoction made with hibiscus and herbs. Like a fine-bodied wine, the initial sip is bold and the tart, berry-like essence slithers on the back of your tongue. My taste buds are still sending me thank you notes.
All the teas are organic, including my beloved chai, and are sourced from a local company called Serendipitea, based in Long Island.
Serengeti Teas and Spices – 292 Frederick Douglass Blvd
If you are near 125th, I recommend you slip away to a quieter spot and take a journey to Serengeti, where you can experience many teas from the African continent and beyond. Past a beautifully carved door in dark wood, shelves of teas and jugs of iced herbal brews will welcome you.
A chai can come with any milk or sweetener you choose (you can also get it with or without caffeine). Worried about your tea getting cold before you can finish a pot? No need to fear – your pot of heaven is served perched on a tray and nestled above a tea light.
A mighty jug filled with crimson liquid, called Shaman’s Secret, holds court on the counter lined with other herbal brews. This elixir is made with hibiscus, rooibos, strawberries, lemon verbena and a hint of cucumbers.
If you really feel like a liquid powerhouse, try the ginger turmeric brew, or the mango and citrus ice tea – to go.
