If you ever walk by the corner of Ponce De Leon and Aregon Ave in Coral Gables, you might've caught a wiff from the aromas Small Tea harbors outside it's doors. Small Tea was founded by Daniel Charles Joseph Benoudiz. His goal was to create some fresh air within the city of Miami and let me tell you, he's done just that.
Your first step is all you need to emmerge yourself into the soothing ambiance. The aroma's that brought you in only magnify from inside. Tea aficionado's will fall in love with the table set out with tea samples for all their teas. While students and entrepreneurs loaded with projects and work while flush to the back where tables are spaced out amongst each other. Even if you're neither, it's okay, you've still been cordially invited by Small Tea to know bliss, be gloriously unproductive, and unpologetically alive.
So it's safe to say it's them gem within the city beautiful, Coral Gables {"The city beautiful is Coral Gables slogan, please don't change it to the beautiful city!} Whether you're looking to simply eat or induldge in tea, they give you variety. They have anything form your classic bagels in the morning to Alaska during lunch/dinner along with vegan options for those special individuals! Or if you just want something small they offer your all around essential muffins and macaroons. Customers have noted that the food is always fresh, healthy, and in appropriate portions (cause we know how pissed off we all get when you're paying $15.00 for a Turkey sandwich).
They're actually quite inexpensive, tea prices ranging between $3.00/$5.00 and meals all under $20.00. The tea is refillable for certain sizes as well. For purchasing loose leaf, all teas are arranged by kind in small jars for easy access to smell. Prices by the ounce are very reasonable; staff has shown to be very knowledgeable as well. The menu offers good descriptions of each tea to guide your choice. It is arranged in alphabetical order followed by a distinctive number for each tea. For example, if you were to want black tea and wanted to try their tea 'Mini Indulgence', you would ask for a B01 because it is the letter and number corresponding to that to. Their tea variety categories are as follows:
Ayurvedic Tea
Ayurveda is a sanskirt for "Life wisdom" and this tea has been promoting well being, health, and longevity for 5,000 years.
Black Tea
Black tea goes through a process of rolling, twisting, fermenting and heat drying to produce it's rich flavor and color.
Chai Tea
Chai is black tea brewed with spices, and is usually enjoyed hot with sugar to bring out it's full flavor.
Green Tea
Green tea originated in China ad is considered by many to be the best choice for mental alertness and health.
Herbal Tea
Herbal blends are free of caffeine (and of tea leaves), deriving their flavor from herbs, fruits, flowers, roots and spices.
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mater is a popular South American herb, roasted and aged for a bittersweet flavor with a kick of caffeine.
Oolong Tea
Oolong is chinese for "Black dragon," and falls somewhere between green and black tea in it's flavor and caffeine content.
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is actually made from a sweet South African Bush, and is beloved for its eathy, slightly sweet, refreshing flavors.
White Tea
White teal hails from China's Fuijan's province, and its silvery-white leaves are dried for optimal flavor and health benefits.
Small tea offers you to quietly contemplate tea benefits, ingredients, and allergy information by visiting their site!
I've spent my Saturday evening cooped up writing my life away with countless cups of tea. Overall the atmosphere is quiet welcoming and open to any individual on any day. I love their music selection and if you live by the Gables or even in Miami itself I definitely recommend this spot as my #1 tea shop in the area. If you definitely havent checked it out you should. These are my top three, if you've visited please let me know your top three in the comments section.
1. W05 - Wuyi Mountain Mist
This rare white tea from the WuYi cloud forest on China's southeast coast is blended artfully with rosehips, hibiscus, sunflower, osmanthus, and calendula petals for a flavor that approaches the devine. VERY LOW CAFFEINE.
2. H12- Paper Umbrella
You'll want to hire a cabana boy to bring you this blend of apple, rosehips, pineapple and coconut. NO CAFFEINE
3. G14- Zhejiang Matcha
Truly wouldn't be able to pronounce that even if I tried. One of the most famous and ancient Chinese green teas from Zhejiang province believe to possess spiritual and restorative powers. LOW CAFFEINE.
