Appreciating Tea in D.C.

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.: Where Proper Tea Pouring Reigns Supreme

If you’re a tea drinker, you know what it means to delight in a perfect cup of tea. Whether you’re alone or in the company of one or two special people, at home or out, the perfect cup of tea occurs when both taste and ritual come together to create a memorable moment.

That moment is taken to new heights at the Tea Cellar at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. Here the centuries-old custom of sipping tea may be savored by connoisseurs and amateurs alike. Case in point:  This die-hard aficionado and daily tea drinker took her brother to teatime, a guy who has never consumed a cup of tea (or coffee!) in his life. Yet Frank, my oldest brother, embodies an adventuresome spirit and I was certain he’d enjoy sampling tea with me in such a renowned establishment. And that he did!

Since I had turned my father on to teatime (see Teatime with Dad at Denver’s Brown Palace), I thought I’d introduce my brother to one of my favorite pleasures during a recent trip to our nation’s capital where he lives. Anyone who has a penchant for tea knows about the premier places to consume this heartwarming beverage across the globe. I generally turn to the luxury hotels where I know tea will be served properly in an unparalleled setting. At the Park Hyatt’s Tea Cellar in Washington D.C., the art of tea drinking is elevated tenfold.

Emperor’s Himalayan Lavender Tea

From our armchairs, Frank and I admired the Tea Cellar’s glass cannisters that showcase some of the finest teas imaginable. We sunk into a dreamy state within the warm, smooth decor as we grooved to the jazzy, Euro Lounge music that fills this contemporary space. Robert Rex-Waller, manager of the Tea Cellar and sommelier at the adjacent Blue Duck Tavern, guided us through our tasting. With a degree in Chinese and Chinese Literature, Robert proved most knowledgeable about the voyage we were embarking on in his fine establishment. We learned about Pu-Erh, or aged teas, from Yunnan province, highly prized teas that rank among the most expensive both at the Tea Cellar and in China. A variety of other teas from China as well as ones from India, Japan, Vietnam, South Africa and even Argentina (Maté) sell here both to be consumed on the premises or for brewing at home.

Zen-Like Tea Table

Four espresso-like cups were placed before us along with a selection of sugar, milk, honey and lemon to be judiciously selected according to the tea. The teas arrived in large glass pots that displayed the richness of each blend. Robert lifted the lid of each, so that we could breathe in the aroma. We sampled a total of four teas including Rooibos, a red bush tea, a heavenly Early Grey, a smokey Lapsong Suchong and a Chocolate Elixir Tea that was like the cherry on top of a creamy dessert. Frank and I discussed the merits of each tea as we nibbled on sugar cookies and olive oil cake with pine nuts. Truly, it felt otherworldly—or at the very least, highly civilized.

And isn’t that so much of the allure of teatime? It’s about taking the time to appreciate a delightful drink and to enjoy the quiet pause in the day that that moment brings. Thankfully there are establishments, such as the Tea Cellar at the Park Hyatt Washington D.C., that know how to do it right.

Park Hyatt Washington D.C. Tea Cellar, 1201 24th Street, NW Washington, DC; tel.: 202-419-6755

For more of my D.C. doings with Frank, check out MLK, DC’s Black Heritage, Chuck Brown, Frankie and Me. I’m off to meet Frank in Utah for some skiing this weekend—who knows what we’ll discover there!