iN-TEA
Adventure in a Cup !
iN-TEA
Jefferson Marketplace
8174 S. Kipling Parkway, #170
Littleton, CO 80127
720.981.2512
iN-TEA
& Carole Alvarez
Tea is an underestimated beverage, and often consumed without the realization of the vast and wildly complex, colorful world that it represents. It is deceptively subtle, enough to be mistaken as bland and unexciting, and therefore treated with casual indifference.
In one of her articles, the renowned food writer M.F.K Fischer quoted a waiter who despaired, "People don't dine anymore. They just eat." The lamentation was for the loss of the experience to the rush of consumption. Wine drinkers are well aware of the gap between an experience and simple consumption, they hold wine tastings and make the wine itself the event, rather than the accompaniment.
If one were to resolve to treat themselves to the experience of tea, they would be well served to meet Carole Alvarez. Tea is her passion and through a few minutes of conversation, revelations would come to light; not only the variety of tastes and experiences tea has to offer, but of undiscovered elements of our own "tea culture."
Carole's plan for iN TEA was written ten years ago, while living on the East Coast; a place where she jokes the Boston Tea Party is still alive and well. Her natural affinity for the beverage comes from her Mother, who hails from the Isle of Man, a small island northwest of Liverpool with a largely celtic population. She has researched the subject extensively since, living in England, where tea is quite possibly a national obsession, traveling to Asia, where the Camellia Sinensis plant originates, and to the Caribbean, where teas are used frequently for medicinal purposes.
In 2005, her research and plans were put aside temporarily with the devastating loss of her niece, Sumer Nicole Alvarez, in whose memory the Sumer Nicole Foundation was started. Carole hopes to support and educate about the foundation and plans to keep Sumer's legacy a vital, living part of iN-TEA.
About iN-TEA
With iN TEA, Carole wanted to step away from the feminine concept of the "tea parlor," and create a contemporary, gender friendly environment where men and women both can feel comfortable. Her desire is to educate, and open newcomer's eyes to the incredible array of choices available to them, the colorful history of tea, and about the beverage itself, its flavors and complexities.
She plans to offer classes at the store on the basics of tea, tea history, cooking with tea, tea cocktails, food and meal pairings, and even the mysterious art of reading tea leaves.
iN TEA is a family owned and operated tea cafe. Carole's husband, Ralph, is a silent partner; his craftsmanship is all over the store, from the floor tiles to an innovative and interactive tea display, to the famous "Wall of Tea" behind the counter. Their daughters, Jenna and Alex, work in the store with Carole, and the walls are graced with her Mother's beautiful original paintings. Carole's close friends Michelle and Davina have offered their support and help out with the business, friends Debbie and Jennifer work in the shop on a weekly basis to help keep things running smoothly.
|
