Chakra 4 Cafe & Apothecary

It may look a little New Agey, but this austere shop located in the Town & Country Shopping Center behind Trader Joe’s knows its tea. In true apothecary style, Chakra lines its walls with shelves of loose-leaf tea in all forms – black, green, white, red, chai – which you can purchase by the ounce. The store also sells an abundance of herbs, elixirs, essential oils and tea accessories.

On one wall, mixtures of teas and herbs fill jars labeled with bodily functions that may benefit from the blends (i.e., “connective tissue support” or “breathing easy”). If you’re not sure what you need, simply tell the staff what’s ailing you, and they’ll whip up a concoction that’s sure to sooth both body and mind.

Chakra recently added a café featuring natural, vegetarian fare, and also offers private herbal consultations, an herbalist certificate program, aura cleansing and daylong festivals.

Info: Town & Country Shopping Center, 2021 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, Stes. B23 & 24, 602-468-1187, chakra4herbs.com

Entertaining the Idea of Tea

Located just across the street from Mandala Tearoom in Old Town Scottsdale, this charming tea boutique fits in nicely with the other souvenir shops on Fifth Avenue, but don’t mistake it for a tourist trap. While it may not be the best spot to purchase loose-leaf tea, it’s a wonderful source of bagged tea and tea accessories.

You’ll find a large selection of teapots and kettles, delicate dish ware, tea-related gifts, biscuits, Scottsdale-based China Mist iced tea, and an ample selection of Fair Trade/organic teas, including three Native American teas.

Info: 7052 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale, 480-941-8189

Mandala Tearoom

In addition to being a hotspot for vegetarians and vegans, and a shining example of “going green,” Mandala is a tea lover’s paradise, offering 47 all-organic teas that you can purchase by the ounce ($3-$10 per ounce) or enjoy onsite.

The list includes black, white, green, chai, decaf, herbal, oolong and yerba mate teas, and in addition to their organic certification, several teas are noted on the list as being biodynamic (B), Single Estate (S), Sustainably Grown (SG), Fair Trade (FT), or Swiss Water Process (SWP). If you don’t know what any of these mean, just know that they add to the teas’ overall quality and purity.

When you’re finishing perusing the tea menu, pop next door to the Mandala Apothecary to find out which teas are great for facials and other topical treatments.

Info: 7027 E. Fifth Ave., Scottsdale, 480-423-3411, mandalatearoom.com

Souvia

At only TWO years old, Souvia already is making a mark on the Valley’s tea scene. Last year the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce awarded Souvia a Sterling Award, which recognizes businesses for their “excellence, innovation and community involvement.” No doubt this had something to do with Souvia giving back to groups like Arizona State University’s Kerr Cultural Center, but we’re certain the shop’s 120 premium loose-leaf teas played a part, too.

You can purchase or enjoy the teas at one of two locations – Phoenix or Scottsdale – or buy the tea in bulk online. And if you’d like to give your tea knowledge a boost, Souvia holds regular classes at both locations, with topics like  Tea 101, Oolongs, Tea and Health, and Tea and Chocolate.

Info: 15414 N. 7th St., Ste. 8, Phoenix, 602-938-1216; 4320 N. Miller, Ste. 107, Scottsdale, 480-947-3133, souvia.com

Tea Dreams

Part pretty tea shop, part clothing boutique, Tea Dreams has given the stuffy ritual of high tea a modern makeover.

Local entrepreneurs Allison Barta and Christine Moss opened Tea Dreams last August with the goal of giving Valley tea drinkers the perfect spot to meet for lunch, throw a bridal shower or simply relax with a comforting cup of tea.

Tea Dreams may be a better place to enjoy tea rather than simply shop for it, but with a wide range of black, green, white and herbal teas – and one deliciously sweet Plum Tree Oolong – it’s a definite must on your tea tour of the Valley.

Info: 1090 S. Gilbert Rd., Ste. 105, Gilbert, 480-497-6633, shopteadreams.com

Urban Tea Loft

What this trendy tearoom lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality and uniqueness. Pick up one of a dozen flavors of Octavia tea, renowned for its purity, freshness and extraordinary taste (we love the blueberry on ice or the citrus green hot).It’s also your best bet for hard-to-find items and gifts like Japanese flowering tea leaves, tea-infused chocolates and the IngenuiTea pot, which acts like a French press but dispenses tea from the bottom of the pot as it rests on top of a mug or pitcher (brilliant!).

Info: 11 W. Boston St., Ste. 2, Chandler, 480-786-9600, urbantealoft.com