Two for Tea in Boulder
By Susan McKee
The Road Trips Foodie
Who would imagine Boulder, Colorado, as a hotbed for tea? Yet, there are two very good reasons for a Road Tripper to stop here. First up, there’s the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. This magnificent building — the only one of its kind in the West — was a gift to the people of Boulder from the people of Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Boulder and Dushanbe are Sister Cities.
The teahouse arrived in Boulder in 1990 in some 200 crates packed with the hand-carved, hand-painted pieces of a traditional Tajik structure. Tajik artisans came with the building, and assembled it on a site in downtown Boulder (1770 13th Street). Its lavish decoration and colors show the influence of Persian culture on the Central Asian republic. These days, the building is indeed operated as a teahouse and restaurant, with a magnificent collection of teas offered for sale.
A more familiar brand is a few miles away from the downtown teahouse, at Celestial Seasonings (4600 Sleepytime Drive). Free tours are offered daily (except major holidays). Not only can you discover the story behind the teas and infusions, but sample them as well. While you’re waiting for the tour to begin, check the displays — which range from photos of tea plantations to items made from Celestial Seasonings packaging (including a rather impressive ballgown).
Kids over the age of five are welcomed on the factory tour, and everyone will be startled at the overpowering scent of the mint room, where the various aromatic herbs are stored until needed for processing and packaging. There’s a cafe serving breakfast and lunch on site.
