Alliance Award

The Teahouse was honored by the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance with a 2012 Alliance Award for “Family” Friendly Coffee House. Nancy, our manager, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of all of us at a ceremony held on April 14. We are so thrilled to receive this award. Thank you to the Human Rights Alliance for the award and for all the important work that you do.

Now that the weather is lovely and the fruit trees and flowers are blooming, stop by The Teahouse for a glass of fresh and flavorful iced tea. We brew a different flavor every day, from vanilla and black rose to honeydew melon, mango, black apricot and black ginger, Vietnamese black te and more. Each glass is a delicious blend of exotic and fragrant flavors.

We’re also serving 100 percent gluten-free baked goods from our sister restaurant, Revolution Bakery, to celebrate spring. Try our blueberry muffins, mini pies, coffee cake, artisanal breads and more. Get some to go or relax in one of our cozy dining rooms with a cup of Metropolis Coffee, made by an acclaimed Chicago artisan roaster.

If you haven’t yet visited Revolution Bakery, you’re in for a treat. Located at 1291 San Felipe Ave., the bakery is a spacious, light-filled environment where we serve our famous gluten-free goods, made fresh daily.  We’ve got cookies, cakes, brownies, muffins, scones, pies, artisan breads and more, all baked right here in our kitchen with as many organic and locally sourced ingredients as possible.

Happy Spring! Hope to see you soon!

At The Teahouse, we brew a different flavor of iced tea every day. From black apricot and black ginger to Vietnamese black tea, vanilla, black rose, honeydew melon, mango, taro taro and more, our iced teas are a delicious blend of exotic and fragrant flavors.

Iced tea is a popular drink around the country, especially in the Southern states. Recipes for the beverage appear in two cookbooks published in the 1870s. By the early 19th century, iced tea was served in hotels, restaurants and railroad stations around the country. Senators in their Washington offices ordered large coolers of it to help beat the hot weather. But iced tea became an even bigger hit after it was introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

The story goes that the day was hot at the World’s Fair when the staff in the Far East House was handing out free samples of hot tea. No one was interested, so Richard Blechynden, India Tea Commissioner and director of the East Indian Pavilion, decided to chill the tea, and it became the hit of the fair. Blechynden then took his free iced tea samples to Bloomingdale’s Department Store for shoppers to enjoy.

Iced tea was also popular in Russia, where the Russians stored their winter ice in cellars so it would last through the summer, and they put ice in their water, wine, beer and tea. By the 1870s, Americans were drinking “tea la Russe,” or Russian iced tea with sugar and lemon slices.

American and English cookbooks show that iced tea was popular in the early 19th century, when cold punches made of green tea were liberally spiked with alcohol, including champagne. The punch was known as Regent’s Punch, named after George IV, the English King from 1820 to 1830. An American version of this punch was known as Charleston’s St. Cecilia Punch, named after the musical society that served it during its annual ball, and Chatham Artillery Punch, a Savannah specialty.

Iced tea was even popular among the Civil War soldiers. According to a newspaper article from 1890, an encampment at Camp Jackson received 880 gallons of iced tea as part of its provisions. During Prohibition, iced tea became even more popular as an alternative to illegal beer, wine and liquor.

Iced tea traditionally is served with a slice of lemon, but lime is also popular. A recipe from a 1908 cookbook calls for serving iced tea with a whole clove, a “bit of pineapple, a sprig of mint or a peppermint cream.”

However you like it prepared, iced tea is a deliciously refreshing drink for a warm spring day, best enjoyed on our garden patio. Stop by and try one of our blends!

More than 100 million Americans drink coffee daily, and that’s a good thing now that we know about some of the health benefits coffee can provide. An array of studies indicate that coffee can decrease your risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, heart attack, stroke, depression and more. It can also improve your short-term memory, alertness and mood.

A Harvard School of Public Health study shows that men who drink six cups of coffee a day have a 60 percent lower chance of developing a dangerous form of prostate cancer. Women who drink three or more cups of coffee a day have a 20 percent lower risk of skin cancer, while men who drink the same amount lower their skin cancer risk by nine percent. That’s because the antioxidants in coffee reduce inflammation and prevent cellular tumor growth and damage by oxygen-free radical molecules.

The antioxidants in coffee may also help prevent liver disease. High coffee consumption results in a lower chance of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis.

Coffee can also decrease the risk factors for heart attack and stroke. It’s been linked to lower risks for heart rhythm problems that can cause heart attacks and strokes. A 10-year study of nearly 35,000 participants found that drinking one to five cups of coffee every day can significantly lower your risk of having a stroke by as much as 24 percent.

Each cup of coffee you drink daily reduces your risk of type 2 diabetes by seven percent. Coffee also contains minerals, including magnesium and chromium, which help the body use insulin to control blood sugar. Those who drink decaf coffee may also have a reduced chance of getting diabetes.

The caffeine in coffee lowers the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, because it boosts the levels of GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor), a growth factor that fights off Alzheimer’s in mice. The caffeine seems to protect brain cells from damage that also causes Parkinson’s disease.

Coffee can promote weight loss, as the caffeine accelerates your metabolism and the rate at which your body burns fat. Drinking plain black coffee is one of the lowest-calorie beverages you can find.

For students, drinking coffee right before an exam can keep you alert and sharpen your memory.

Even the way we prepare coffee can have a positive impact on our health. Coffee made with paper filters removes kahweol and cafestol, two kinds of diterpenes, or oily components, linked to heart disease caused by the elevation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in blood.

In addition to our selection of fine teas from around the world, The Teahouse offers an array of coffee drinks, including lattes, espressos, Americanos, cappuccinos, mochas and more. Stop by today for a healthy shot of coffee. Your body will be glad you did.

We’ve been getting some great reviews and we thought you might enjoy reading some of them. Please feel free to post your own review on Yelp, TripAdvisor, Urbanspoon, Google Places and other review sites.

From the Santa Fe Reporter’s 2011 Restaurant Guide:

“The Teahouse: Canyon Road’s best spot for summertime lunching and lazing.”

From Wilde Things, the blog of actress Olivia Wilde:

“The Teahouse, on the famous art gallery strip of Santa Fe, Canyon Road, is another place I’d like to unplug and relocate to my neighborhood in LA. But of course this gorgeous and tranquil spot belongs here, where patrons allow themselves more than 10 minutes for a meal, without balking at the polite request to bus your own table in exchange for your hassle free, peaceful, lazy afternoon on their warm cushions (not to mention their free wifi.) I was sent here by a blogger who recommended their homemade veggie burger, and was delighted to find much more than that on the menu to entice me, and bring me back on days off to sample the extensive tea list, and soak up the sun in their garden.”

From Google Places:

“A wonderful, cozy atmosphere, delicious tea and great scones! I went for the first time on a Friday morning and I was surprised to see how busy The Teahouse was. As an avid tea lover, I was happily amazed at the giant selection of premium loose leaf teas. For months I have been looking to find a store that sells specialty, worldly premium loose leaf teas and I have found my place! I had the Three Bambu tea with a cranberry almond scone. The tea was light, flavourful and vibrant. The scone was one of the best I’ve had; fresh out-of-the-oven warm, soft texture, and lightly sweet with cranberries. The clotting cream served with the scone was rich, yet still lightly whipped and not too sweet. All of the staff were very friendly and the service was excellent. The bathroom wall was covered in a beautiful mural by a professional artist. The location was great – right on Santa Fe’s famous Canyon Road! They have some parking outside the restaurant and there is a pay lot right next door if the restaurant lot is full. Overall it was a great restaurant with wonderful food/tea, great service & atmosphere. I’m definitely going back to sample more teas and more of their menu!”

“After living in Santa Fe for five years I finally took the time to visit The Teahouse. Not a tea or coffee drinker I was finally coaxed there by friends who touted their delicious menu, and man were they right! I greatly enjoyed the quiche of the day that was accompanied by a delicious tossed garden salad. Oddly enough I washed it down with one of the best cups of hot chocolate I’ve ever had. I will definitely be going back so as to enjoy the beer and wine selections. Thank you Teahouse! ”

From Yelp:

“What a fun place after walking up Canyon Road. The staff was nice and they have some yummy tea and wine. Sitting under the apricot tree and watching the birds who live there was one of our most memorable experiences in Santa Fe.”

“Try the fresh salad with good bread. It’s called the “Starving Artist” meal and filled me up just fine with a cup of soup on the side. The tea comes in a nice big glass mug so you can see it steep. Delicious with honey. The ambiance is so lovely– natural surfaces, cozy booths, and a reading room. Very nice staff, friendlier than other restaurants. This is a wonderful place to spend an hour after checking out galleries on Canyon Road.”

From Urbanspoon:

“Excellent tea and with excellent snacks. A great time to enjoy an afternoon with the family. With its excellent ambience and flavorful teas it’s a good place to sit and eat. The Teahouse can leave a soothing feeling in you with its overall presentation and lovely teas.”

“Went there for Sunday brunch because most places shut down on Sunday in Santa Fe. Of course they have a great selection of creative beverages, but their food is amazing too! Creative twists on breakfast favorites, the black rice in the oatmeal is an amazing touch. Also, can’t beat the ambiance with outdoor and indoor dining on Canyon Road. “

The oatmeal we serve at The Teahouse makes a warm, healthy breakfast that’s perfect on a cold winter morning. It’s based on a recipe created by Dionne’s grandmother, and loaded with nutritious ingredients, including steel cut oats, black sticky rice and winter wheat berries. 

As if the thought of a warm bowl of oatmeal wasn’t enough to already have you planning your next visit, there are several health benefits to the ingredients:

Oatmeal – Can help lower cholesterol. May reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet.

Chinese Black Sticky Rice – contains 18 amino acids, iron, zinc, copper, carotene, anthocyanin and several important vitamins.

Wheat Berries – High in carbohydrates and dietary fiber, rich in vitamins B1 and B3; and the minerals magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and selenium.

Want to enjoy this delicious breakfast at home? Here’s the recipe:

Dionne’s Grandmother’s Famous Oatmeal (Makes 6 small servings)

3 cups Chinese black sticky rice (or forbidden rice)

2 cups steel cut oats

1 cup winter wheat berries

Whatnot

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup butter (or a nondairy version)

Or

¼ cup maple syrup

1cup heavy cream

Plus:

Fresh fruit, including blueberries, strawberries, sliced apples or another of your favorite fruit

Lardoons (Bacon that has been diced, blanched and fried)

Rinse all grains separately under cold water and drain. Soak the rice and wheat berries overnight (they can soak together). Be sure the water level is a few inches above the grains so they remain covered. The oats need to soak for two hours before cooking.

Place the soaked rice and wheat berries in a pot and add enough water to cover the grains by about two inches. Cook at a low simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. At the same time, in a separate pot, cook the oats, adding water to cover by about two inches. Cook on a low simmer for 30 minutes.

After everything is cooked and still warm, add the oats to the rice and wheat berries. Then add your favorite ingredients from the Whatnot, by mixing brown sugar and butter, or maple syrup and heavy cream into the oatmeal. You can also top with fresh fruit or with lardoons.

Enjoy!

The Chinese Way of Tea

The Chinese Way of Tea, one of the world’s oldest tea ceremonies, involves ceremonially preparing and serving tea. Greatly influenced by Taoism, the ceremony honors the harmony of nature, and symbolizes self-cultivation. Teahouses were places where Chinese scholars gathered to exchange ideas. Today, nearly every home has the tools for brewing tea, symbols of welcome to visitors who sit and drink tea while they are there. Popular teas in the Chinese Way of Tea include green, black, red, white and flower.

In China, the younger generation serves a cup of tea to their elders as a sign of respect. During the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony, the couple kneels before their parents and serves them tea to express their gratitude. A tea ceremony after the wedding provides a way for members of both families to meet each other. The couple pours tea and the act of drinking symbolizes acceptance into the family. Folding the napkin during Chinese tea ceremonies is believed to keep away bad energy.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Way of the Tea in Japan evolved from the Chinese tea ceremony during ancient and medieval times. The ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea, is part of a cultural tradition that dates back to Zen Buddhism in the 9th century. It evolved as a practice to promote transformation, and developed its own aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, which symbolizes the inner, spiritual aspects of human life.

The principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility remain key to the Japanese tea ceremony today. The Way of the Tea is filled with rituals, from the preparation and pouring of tea to the scrolls of calligraphy that adorn the walls, the kimonos that garb the participants and the flowers in the gardens outside. The tea ceremony traditionally took place in a teahouse in a special garden, but today, residents often hold these ceremonies in a special room of their urban apartment or other modern dwelling.

British High Tea

Portuguese queen Catherine of Braganza, the queen consort to England’s Charles II, introduced the British to tea in the mid-1600s and it became popular during the 19th century, when India was part of the British Empire.

People held tea dances and tea gardens, featuring dinners, dances and fireworks, followed by evening tea. The tea gardens were elaborate affairs held on private grounds with walkways covered in flowers, orchestras, games and more. Both the wealthy and the lower classes could attend.

A traditional British High Tea is served in the afternoon and includes formal, fancy cups and saucers, black tea mixed with milk and sugar and a light meal of scones, sandwiches, cake and buns. During the Victorian era, using the right implements and the correct manners during tea was equally as important as the beverage itself. Builder’s tea, on the other hand, is served strong in a plain mug, with lots of milk and two teaspoons of sugar.

Russian Tea Rites

Tea has been popular in Russia since the 17th century, when China agreed to make regular tea shipments to Russia along The Great Tea Road, part of the Silk Road. The Russians invented the salomar, a tea-boiling tool invented in the 18th century during Empress Elizabeth’s reign. Tea was served with jam, honey and baked sweets and often sipped through a sugar lump held in the mouth. The Russians were the first to add thinly sliced lemons to their tea, hence tea served with lemon is often called Russian Tea.

The Russians traditionally use loose, large leaf black tea and serve the drink in a glass tea holder. The tea is usually very strong, and the degree of strength often represents the host’s level of hospitality. Tea is served following family meals, accompanied by sugar and lemon, no milk, and pastries, jams and confections.

Tibetan Tea Traditions

Tibetans have been drinking green tea for thousands of years. They consider it important to always fill the cup because it brings good luck. They also add salt and goat’s milk to their tea. Tibet is the only country where tea is sacrificed to gods.

American Iced Tea

The U.S. was the first country to popularize iced tea, introduced at the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904, where a group of tea producers from India served the tea over ice during a hot summer day in order to persuade people to try it. Today, Americans drink more than 40 billions cups of iced tea per year.

It’s easy to make tea a part of your daily life, especially with the quality teas we serve at The Teahouse. You can create your own tea ceremony from the array of tea choices we serve. Stop in today for a cup of tea and you’ll be part of a rich history of tea ceremonies from around the world!

Luminarios, or bonfires, are placed along Canyon Road, where walkers gather to sing Christmas carols and warm up beside the bonfires. The side streets are also decorated with farolitos and bonfires, and strolling musicians play holiday hits of the season as people sing along. One resident on a side street sets up a holiday train, and from another side street, an artist sends up flying farolitos – paper kites of a sort with candles that float high in the sky before they burn up and disappear.

Many galleries and shops stay open on this night, and some serve hot chocolate and other refreshments. At The Teahouse, we’ll be open, hosting the biggest bonfire on Canyon Road in our parking lot until 11 p.m. Enjoy the music of a mariachi band and warm up with chai served both inside the restaurant and outside

This is one of Santa Fe’s most treasured traditions and it’s a wonderful way to celebrate this sacred night. Here are a couple short videos from YouTube taken on a recent Farolito Walk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrskC4LFAHo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEJLNPDBRkc

The cookies originated in Medieval Arabia and became popular in Europe and Spain. Americans discovered them in the 1950s, and have been making them ever since. And over the years, they’ve become a popular cookie to serve at Christmastime.

Here’s our recipe for delicious, decadent Mexican wedding cookies. Enjoy!

Spicy Mexican Wedding Cookies (Makes about 24 cookies)

2 cups of finely ground pecans

4 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 cup butter

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Confectioner’s sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, sugar and cinnamon, using electric mixer, until mixture turns fluffy.

Combine flour, pecans, vanilla and salt and mix well. Mix flour mixture with butter mixture. Shape mixture into balls.

Bake for 20 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes, then roll balls in confectioner’s sugar four or five times.

by dahon under CC BY-ND

Holiday gift giving can be found as close as your morning stop for tea. The Teahouse offers a range of items that are suitable for all the recipients on your holiday gift list. From our signature teas, to baked goods to gift certificates everybody on your list will be thrilled with a gift from The Teahouse. Below is a list of the Top 10 of our favorite holiday gifts.

1. Our holiday teas make the perfect gifts. From pumpkin and holiday rooibos, made with caffeine-free tea that is native to the mountains of South Africa, to candied pomegranate tisanes, our unique holiday teas will lift the hearts and spirits of those who receive them.

2.  A gift certificate to one of our hands-on Teahouse Workshops provides an exciting experience in taste and aroma. Choose from Tea Lattes For Lovers, Tea Blending, Teas for the Revolution, Tea Tastings and more. Or design your own tea-loving event. Each workshop lasts 90 minutes and will leave a lasting impression on participants.

3. We offer an array of unique, aromatic tea blends for the tea-lovers on your list. From classic blends such as English Coronation, a black tea blend with hints of muscatel and honey chamomile, to Green Mist, a green blend with lemon grass, lime peel and seaweed, our tea blends make beautiful gifts.

4. For those passionate about Chai, our Cowboy Chai tea line blends the local flavors of the highland region with the spices of Asia to create a blend new blend of Chai. Every blend is handcrafted at The Teahouse, and can be mixed with milk, soy milk or rice milk and served hot or cold. Choices include Coyote Chocolate, fiery and spicy with chocolate overtones, Whitesage Mint, a blend of white sage and mint mixed with pan-roasted green tea, and more.

5. A gift certificate to The Teahouse makes a great holiday present, and can either be used at The Teahouse or to purchase our tea and food online. You choose the amount, and we’ll send out the gift certificate.

6. A box full of Mexican wedding cookies, made with ground pecans and powdered sugar, make a wonderful holiday gift. They look and taste delicious and are guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday party or feast.

7. We started serving Metropolis Coffee this year, amazing coffee made by an artisan roasting company based in Chicago. If you’ve got serious coffee lovers on your list, give them a pound of Metropolis Coffee and it’s sure to be a big hit!

8. We just opened a new business, Revolution Bakery, which offers delicious gluten-free and traditional baked goods, from artisan breads, muffins and rolls to cakes, pies, cookies and more. Why not give a gift certificate to Revolution Bakery, and let your recipient choose their favorite treat? We ship everywhere, and are happy to take special requests.

9. The Teahouse is justly famous for its jumbo scones, served with clotted cream. You can order scones in an array of flavors and we will be happy to ship them to the person on your gift list.

10. Our new line of wellness teas make perfect holiday gifts for the winter season. Offering well-being and fitness, these teas provide the perfect balance for energy and health in Ayurvedic blends and they also taste delicious!

Revolution Bakery offers decadently delicious loaves of artisan gluten-free and traditional breads, brioche, baguettes, challah, biscotti, chocolate-dipped macaroons and assorted cookies, from ginger snaps to mint lavender and spicy Mexican wedding cookies. We also bake fragrant scones, made with ginger, blueberries, chocolate or pumpkin.

Our irresistible cakes include coconut, red velvet and flourless chocolate cake made with Belgian Côte d’Or dark chocolate. We serve heavenly bundt cakes made with coffee, lemon, butter, maple or chai, sour cream coffee cake, cinnamon rolls and brownies. Our English toffee is made with pecans or almonds, and we have decadent marshmallows with cardamom, vanilla or cocoa that are perfect for dunking in hot chocolate.

Revolution Bakery offers baked goods to go, or you can enjoy them fresh from the oven in our relaxing, inviting restaurant. Try a slice of red velvet cake, flourless chocolate cake or a scone with clotted cream and a cup of Metropolis Coffee, from the acclaimed artisan roaster in Chicago.

Revolution Bakery has launched a Take n’ Bake at Home gluten-free line featuring cookie dough, rolls, granola and other products. We can create vegan and dairy-free baked goods, by request. We also sell wholesale products. Visit our website to view our full menu: www.revolutionbakery.com

We’re the perfect source for all your holiday needs, from Thanksgiving breads and pies to Christmas cookies, cakes and other sweet treats. You can also order any of our teas from The Teahouse online at www.teahousesantafe.com. (We ship goods via UPS Priority Mail, which takes three to five business days.) Please call or e-mail us to place your order: (505) 988.2100 or contact@revolutionbakery.com

Revolution Bakery is located at 1291 San Felipe Ave., in the Santa Fe Railyard District, a bustling area of shops, galleries, restaurants and more. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Teahouse will also be carrying Revolution Bakery’s baked goods, freshly made and available for takeout as well. And we’re serving Metropolis Coffee, the perfect pairing for a slice of whoopee cake or a crystallized ginger muffin.

We’re thrilled to launch Revolution Bakery, which is a perfect pairing with The Teahouse. After nearly a decade in business in Santa Fe, The Teahouse is ready to expand, bringing to Revolution Bakery the same quality of fine food and service The Teahouse offers. And our baked goods are ideal for enjoying with one of the 150 exotic teas on The Teahouse menu, from fall flavors to wellness teas, tisanes, blends, chai and delicious coffee, more.

Stop by The Teahouse to try our new line of wellness teas and our holiday teas, including pumpkin rooibis, candied pomegranate tisanes, holiday rooibos and cold weather teas. And visit Revolution Bakery, where we are committed to making the best gluten-free baked goods in town!

We look forward to seeing you soon!