ThirsTea

ThirsTea is a small, owner-run tea shop preparing a variety of over 70 teas by the cup from the finest quality tea purveyors from around the world. This is a wonderful refreshment take-out café with a small seating area serving bubble teas, gourmet teas, coffee, smoothies and snacks.

When asking the owners of ThirsTea why they started this business, they told us that they wanted to create a fun business that they would want to be involved in every day and came up with the idea of a small café that would serve an array of specialty teas by the cup. Opening their doors in July of 2009 in New York City's trendy East Village, ThirsTea has become a neighborhood favorite among the day trippers and local residents. Brimming with customer service and walls packed with some of the best teas in the world, it is no wonder that this small refreshment shop is an overnight sensation.

At ThirsTea deciding on a tea is simple with a full printed tea list for it's customers to choose from. Teas range from traditional to fancy herbal blends and are served hot or iced. Among the iced tea selection are the shop's specialty: bubble teas made with fresh trusted ingredients. ThirsTea tells us that Bubble tea is the Latte of Asia and nowhere in New York City will you find these fresh flavor ingredient combinations. Their refreshing recipes use loose-leaf teas brewed daily with fresh fruit pulp and an option of adding genuine tapioca pearls and lichee jelly. Unlike many bubble teas that are too sweet, ThirsTea's bubble teas are light and refreshing. A perfect choice to quench a thirst on a hot summer day. House favorites include "Taro Coconut", "Peach Fruit Bubble Tea" and "Mixed Berry" - a combination of raspberry and blackberry pulp, and loose leaf green tea typically served iced.

With ThirsTea's well stocked tea selection, most teas may be purchased by the canister in loose-leaf or sachets. Some of their fine tea suppliers include Tazo, Serendipitea, Republic of Tea and Harney & Sons, along with privately labeled loose-leaf Rishi Teas.

In addition to the wonderful tea selection, customers may also choose from one of several fresh fruit smoothies made with soy milk then sweetened with honey or agave with the option of adding soy protein for an energy boost. There is a also a small candy bar hung low on the wall for children to peruse, packed with imported candy favorites from Taiwan, India and Asia, including old-school favorites like Choward's Violets and Werther's Originals. Vegans and others with special dietary needs can almost always find a a snack or a refreshment at ThirsTea.