Meryl Lawton

What was the first type of tea you ever tried? How old were you?
Orange Pekoe. I was four.

What is your all-time favourite tea?
I have three favourites: Yorkshire Gold, Tikuanyin Oolong, and Golden Heaven Yunnan.

Why did you open a tea shop?
I worked around the counter of a tea shop for six weeks and fell in love with the smells. I love how tea brings people calmness and comes from all around the world. Tea is like the ocean–you may know the surface but there’s still so much to discover.

Which is better for waking you up in the morning: a jolt of coffee or a nice cup of tea?
I would say tea. It’s very good for a gentle jolt without getting jittery. It relaxes you as well as wakes you up. The caffeine in tea is countered by theanine, which allows you to be alert yet calmed.

What’s one of the most unusual teas you know of?
Puerh tea is becoming very popular. One of my staff said it smells like the barnyard. But it’s grown on me and now I really like it because it relieves stomachaches and has a wonderful earthy smell.

What’s the difference between a tea and a tisane?
Tea is from the Camellia Sinensis plant. It encompasses white, yellow, green, red, black, Puerh, and Oolong tea. As you go from white to black, the teas are oxidized more. Herbal teas (tisanes)—like mints, flowers, chamomile, and Rooibos—are not Camellia Sinensis.

Can tea actually cool you down on a hot summer day?
I think it can, though I’m not sure if it’s been scientifically proven. Tea makes you sweat more, which allows you to cool down. It’s very refreshing. People from hot countries often drink hot tea.

Are there teas that are best served cold?
Yerba Mate is an herbal tea which Natives originally served cold. They soaked the tea leaves in cold water. All teas are neither better nor worse served cold, because when you serve them cold, if you do it right, you can get a very nice flavour without making the tea bitter.

What’s a cool tea fact that people should know?
Boiling water will turn green, white, and Darjeeling teas bitter. Let boiling water sit for one minute before pouring it over the tea.