Austin, Texas, renowned for its vibrant culture and eclectic offerings, has emerged as a surprising destination for tea enthusiasts. The city’s tea trail showcases a diverse range of experiences, from traditional English afternoon teas to modern artisanal blends. Tea lovers can explore a variety of tea houses, cafes, and specialty shops that cater to different tastes and preferences.
This unique tea scene reflects Austin’s commitment to innovation and quality, while also honoring time-honored tea traditions. Visitors and locals alike can immerse themselves in the world of tea, discovering new flavors and learning about different brewing techniques. The Austin tea trail offers something for everyone, from casual sippers to dedicated connoisseurs.
1) Zhi Tea’s Ancient Green Jasmine
Zhi Tea, Austin’s premier organic tea company, offers a standout Ancient Green Jasmine tea. This delicate blend showcases the skill and care put into crafting exceptional teas.
The jasmine green tea is created by folding jasmine blossoms into drying tea leaves multiple times. This process imparts a subtle, aromatic scent to the tea.
Zhi Tea’s jasmine green boasts a well-balanced flavor profile with a long, sweet finish. It can be enjoyed hot or iced, making it versatile for any season or preference.
The tea leaves used are 100% organic, reflecting Zhi Tea’s commitment to sustainability and quality. This blend is excellent on its own or with a touch of honey.
Tea enthusiasts appreciate that this jasmine green can withstand multiple infusions, providing excellent value and an evolving taste experience.
Zhi Tea: 4607 Bolm Road, Austin, TX 78721
Phone: (512) 220-3839
Website: zhitea.com
2) Texas Tea’s Sparkling Hibiscus
Texas Tea‘s Sparkling Hibiscus offers a refreshing twist on traditional iced tea. This Austin-based beverage combines the vibrant flavors of hibiscus with a sparkling effervescence.
The drink features a beautiful ruby-red color and a tangy-sweet taste that captures the essence of summer. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a low-calorie, caffeine-free alternative to sugary sodas.
Texas Tea’s Sparkling Hibiscus can be found in various cafes and specialty stores throughout Austin. Its blend of natural ingredients and local craftsmanship appeals to health-conscious consumers and tea enthusiasts alike.
The company prides itself on using high-quality hibiscus flowers and minimal additives to create a clean, crisp flavor profile. This commitment to simplicity and freshness has helped establish the brand as a local favorite.
Texas Tea’s Sparkling Hibiscus: Available at select retailers in Austin. Contact: info@texastea.com, Website: www.texastea.com
3) The Steeping Room’s Masala Chai
The Steeping Room offers a standout Masala Chai that captures the essence of Austin’s tea culture. This aromatic blend combines traditional Indian spices with high-quality black tea, creating a rich and flavorful experience.
The chai’s balanced mix of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves delivers a warming sensation with each sip. The Steeping Room crafts this beverage using freshly ground spices, enhancing its authenticity and depth of flavor.
Guests can enjoy the Masala Chai in various forms, including hot, iced, or as part of a tea latte. The Steeping Room also offers the option to customize the sweetness level, catering to different preferences.
For those seeking a complete chai experience, the establishment serves its Masala Chai alongside freshly baked scones and other light bites. This pairing creates a perfect afternoon tea moment in the heart of Austin.
The Steeping Room: 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 112, Austin, TX 78758. Phone: (512) 977-8337. Website: www.thesteepingroom.com
4) Cuvee Coffee’s Herbal Infusion
Cuvee Coffee, a renowned Austin-based roastery, has expanded its offerings to include a unique herbal infusion line. This innovative addition complements their exceptional coffee selection, providing customers with caffeine-free alternatives.
The herbal infusions feature carefully curated blends of organic herbs and botanicals. Each blend is crafted to offer distinct flavor profiles and potential wellness benefits, catering to various tastes and preferences.
Cuvee’s commitment to quality and sustainability extends to their herbal infusions. The company sources ingredients from trusted suppliers, ensuring the highest standards of purity and flavor.
These herbal blends are available at Cuvee’s retail locations and through their online store. Customers can enjoy them hot or iced, making them versatile options for any time of day or season.
Cuvee Coffee continues to push boundaries in the beverage industry, demonstrating their passion for crafting exceptional drinks beyond coffee.
Cuvee Coffee
3108 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 243-6698
www.cuveecoffee.com
5) Tenko Tea’s Organic Sencha
Tenko Tea offers a premium organic sencha green tea sourced directly from Japan. This high-quality tea is cultivated in the Kagoshima region, known for its ideal tea-growing conditions.
The organic sencha from Tenko Tea is a blend of first-flush Yutaka Midori, Asanoka, and Yabukita cultivars. These varieties contribute to the tea’s complex flavor profile and sophisticated character.
Tenko Tea’s sencha undergoes medium steaming, resulting in a well-balanced taste. The tea presents a flavorful and savory sweet finish that tea enthusiasts appreciate.
When brewed, this organic sencha produces a jade-colored liquid with a bright, grassy aroma. The flavor is smooth with mild sweetness and subtle vegetal notes.
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, Tenko Tea’s organic sencha offers potential health benefits alongside its pleasant taste.
Tenko Tea
Address: 1023 Springdale Rd Building 11, Austin, TX 78721
Phone: (512) 537-9717
Website: www.tenkotea.com
6) Sweet Leaf Tea’s Peach Iced Tea
Sweet Leaf Tea’s Peach Iced Tea stands out as a refreshing favorite on Austin’s tea trail. This delightful beverage captures the essence of juicy peaches in a smooth, perfectly sweetened iced tea.
Sweet Leaf Tea Company, founded in Austin, Texas, crafts their peach iced tea using high-quality ingredients and a time-honored recipe. The tea strikes a balance between the robust flavor of black tea and the sweet, fruity notes of ripe peaches.
Available in convenient bottles, Sweet Leaf’s Peach Iced Tea offers a taste of summer year-round. Its crisp, natural flavor appeals to tea enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike.
Sweet Leaf Tea Company maintains a strong presence in Austin, where locals and visitors can enjoy their range of refreshing beverages. Their commitment to quality and flavor has helped establish them as a beloved Austin brand.
Sweet Leaf Tea Company
Address: 248 Addie Roy Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 328-7775
Website: www.sweetleaftea.com
7) Teapioca Lounge’s Jasmine Milk Tea
Teapioca Lounge offers a delightful Jasmine Milk Tea that captures the essence of Austin’s diverse tea scene. This aromatic beverage combines the floral notes of jasmine with the creamy richness of milk.
The tea base is crafted from high-quality jasmine green tea, providing a fragrant and refreshing foundation. Teapioca’s skilled bobaristas carefully steep the tea to extract optimal flavor without bitterness.
Smooth milk is added to create a balanced and comforting drink. Customers can customize the sweetness level to suit their preferences, ensuring a personalized experience.
For those seeking a textural element, chewy tapioca pearls can be added as an optional topping. These complement the silky tea and add a fun, interactive aspect to the beverage.
Teapioca Lounge’s Jasmine Milk Tea is served in a clear cup, showcasing its appealing light golden hue. It’s a popular choice among tea enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Teapioca Lounge
1700 W Parmer Ln #210, Austin, TX 78727
(512) 835-8887
www.teapiocalounge.com
8) Kombucha Town’s Rooibos Citrus
Kombucha Town offers a unique twist on traditional kombucha with their Rooibos Citrus blend. This refreshing beverage combines the smooth, caffeine-free rooibos tea with zesty citrus notes.
Rooibos tea, known for its health benefits, forms the base of this kombucha. It’s believed to promote healthy digestion and contribute to stronger bones.
The fermentation process enhances the tea’s benefits, infusing it with live active cultures. Each serving of Kombucha Town’s brew contains millions of these beneficial microorganisms.
Kombucha Town prides itself on using high-quality, sustainable ingredients. Their rooibos kombucha is USDA Organic, Non-GMO, and Fair Trade Certified.
The citrus flavors add a bright, tangy dimension to the earthy rooibos, creating a balanced and invigorating drink. This kombucha appeals to both tea enthusiasts and those seeking a healthier alternative to sugary beverages.
Kombucha Town Tea Store
Website: kombuchatown.com
Contact: Available through their website
9) Austin Tea Xchange Cafe’s Lavender Earl Grey
Austin Tea Xchange Cafe offers a unique twist on a classic tea with their Lavender Earl Grey blend. This aromatic tea combines the traditional Earl Grey base with fragrant lavender notes.
The cafe’s organic Lavender Earl Grey delivers a harmonious balance of flavors. It starts with sweet floral notes from the lavender, followed by the rich citrusy finish characteristic of Earl Grey.
Tea enthusiasts can enjoy this specialty blend hot or iced. It makes for a delightful morning pick-me-up or a soothing afternoon refresher.
Austin Tea Xchange Cafe takes pride in crafting high-quality teas and providing a warm, welcoming atmosphere for customers. Their commitment to creating “communi-tea” is evident in their thoughtfully curated menu.
Visitors can find Austin Tea Xchange Cafe at 13011 Shops Parkway, Bee Cave, TX 78738. The cafe is located in the Shops at the Galleria, offering dine-in, pickup, and delivery options.
Austin Tea Xchange Cafe
13011 Shops Parkway, Bee Cave, TX 78738
Phone: (877) 585-1085
Website: austinteaxchange.com
10) Austin Tea Haus’s Moroccan Mint
Austin Tea Haus offers a refreshing and aromatic Moroccan mint tea that transports patrons to North African tea traditions. This invigorating blend combines gunpowder green tea with fresh mint leaves, creating a balanced and flavorful beverage.
The tea is steeped to perfection, allowing the robust green tea to meld with the bright, cooling notes of mint. The result is a smooth, revitalizing drink that can be enjoyed hot or iced, depending on personal preference and the Texas weather.
Austin Tea Haus takes pride in sourcing high-quality ingredients for their Moroccan mint tea. The fresh mint leaves are locally sourced when possible, ensuring peak flavor and aroma in every cup.
Visitors to Austin Tea Haus can experience this classic tea alongside a variety of other globally-inspired beverages and light refreshments. The cozy atmosphere provides an ideal setting for savoring this timeless tea tradition.
Austin Tea Haus
Address: 10815 Ranch Rd 2222, Building 6 Suite 207, Austin, TX 78730
Phone: (737) 377-6725
History of Austin’s Tea Trail
Austin’s tea culture has evolved significantly over the decades, shaped by diverse influences and local innovations. The city’s unique approach to tea blends traditional practices with modern sensibilities.
Origins and Development
Austin’s tea trail began to take shape in the late 1960s. Small tea shops opened in neighborhoods like Hyde Park and South Congress, offering a limited selection of imported teas. These early establishments catered primarily to expatriates and adventurous locals seeking alternatives to coffee.
By the 1980s, Austin saw an influx of tea enthusiasts from various backgrounds. This led to the introduction of more diverse tea varieties and brewing methods. Specialty tea stores emerged, focusing on high-quality loose-leaf teas and educating customers about origin and preparation techniques.
The 1990s marked a turning point with the rise of tea houses. These venues combined tea service with social spaces, attracting a younger demographic. Austin’s tea trail expanded rapidly during this period, with new shops opening across the city.
Influence of Local Culture
Austin’s creative spirit and health-conscious lifestyle have significantly impacted its tea scene. Local tea blenders began experimenting with unique flavor combinations, often incorporating native Texas herbs and spices.
The city’s music and art scenes also played a role in shaping tea culture. Many tea houses started hosting live performances and art exhibitions, creating multifaceted spaces that appealed to diverse crowds.
Health-focused Austinites embraced tea for its wellness benefits. This led to an increased demand for herbal blends and functional teas. Local tea companies responded by developing custom blends targeting specific health concerns.
Environmental awareness in Austin influenced tea businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Many shops now prioritize organic, fair-trade teas and eco-friendly packaging. Some even partner with local farms to source ingredients for their blends.
Diverse Tea Varieties Found on the Trail
Austin’s tea trail offers an impressive array of tea varieties, ranging from classic blends to unique flavors. Tea enthusiasts can explore a wide selection of teas sourced from different parts of the world, as well as locally-inspired creations.
Rare and Exotic Blends
Austin’s tea shops pride themselves on offering rare and exotic blends that cater to adventurous palates. The Austin English Tea Company, for instance, carries a curated selection of loose-leaf teas that transport customers to distant tea-growing regions.
Some establishments feature limited-edition teas from small, artisanal producers in China, Japan, and India. These may include:
- Pu-erh teas aged for decades
- Single-estate Darjeelings from premium harvests
- Gyokuro, a shade-grown Japanese green tea
Tea sommeliers at these shops often provide tasting notes and brewing recommendations, enhancing the experience for connoisseurs and newcomers alike.
Organic and Locally-Sourced Options
Austin’s tea trail embraces sustainability with a focus on organic and locally-sourced options. Many tea shops partner with nearby farms to create unique herbal infusions using native Texas plants.
Popular local ingredients include:
- Texas-grown lemongrass
- Wild-harvested yaupon holly
- Organically cultivated chamomile
These blends often reflect Austin’s commitment to eco-friendly practices. Some shops even offer kombucha made with locally-sourced ingredients, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
Tea enthusiasts can find organic versions of classic teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast, as well as innovative blends that incorporate regional flavors. This focus on organic and local options adds a distinctive Austin twist to the traditional tea experience.