Have you seen our latest post showcasing local black restaurants to support? If so, great! If not, what are you waiting for? There are some amazing establishments featured that you will want to check out.
Now more than ever, it is important to support our local black businesses. One of the featured places is Tea’s Me Café, located at 140 E 22nd St.
Tea’s Me is well known for their amazing tea selection, I mean it’s all in the name. Not only can you grab delicious tea, but you can also swing by to grab breakfast and lunch.
I recently had the chance to talk to the store manager, Joi DeFrantz, and get the full 411 on the establishment, products, and benefits of drinking tea.
Let’s start off with a little history.
Tea’s Me was originally owned and operated by Wayne and Stacy Ashford in 2004 with a storefront at Keystone at the Crossing. They eventually moved to their more centralized location downtown. In February 2017, WNBA star Tamika Catchings took ownership of Tea’s Me. Tamika was a longtime customer and wanted to make sure the restaurant stayed in the community. Thinking about life after basketball, Tamika thought about the steps she could take to move forward in her career. Taking ownership of Tea’s Me Cafe made perfect sense.
Since we are still in a pandemic, Tea’s Me has a few ways you can still access their products.
- You can call ahead to place an order for curbside pickup. They just ask that you pull up to their 22nd street entrance.
- You can take advantage of the Tea’s Me app by texting TEASEME to 33733
- They are also utilizing GrubHub for delivery options.
- Visit teasmeindy.com to place your bulk orders!
A newer initiative is the Tea’s Me subscription box. Who doesn’t love getting a box full of goodies in the mail?
These subscription boxes are full of amazing Tea Teasers. The boxes begin at $14.95 and range up to $34.95. Each box includes tea samples, and depending on the option you choose, you may receive t-shirts, mugs, journals, and other surprises.
Not only is tea a soothing drink, but there are also many health benefits as well. Just from a comfort level, teas can be a meditative drink. On the flip side, they can also help with productivity depending on caffeine levels.
There are five types of tea which include White, Green, Oolong, Black, and Herbal. I asked Joi if she would share a favorite from each category that they serve at Tea’s Me, along with some of its benefits and information. Take a look at what she had to say.
White Tea- Le Monde Du Wayne
- Fruity pear tea
- Delicate
- Light and refreshing
Green Tea – Orchid
- Floral, fruity, tart flavors
- Immune system boost
- Great for heart health and circulation
Oolong Tea- Peach
- Fruity, summery taste
- Great for digestion
- Very versatile flavor
Black Tea- Assam
- June Tea of the month and on sale for bulk -25% off
- Complex, full Indian black tea
- Contains L-theanine, an amino acid that will help calm the brain
- Black teas have the highest amount of caffeine
- Traditional bold flavor
Herbal Tea- Red Berries
- Complex elderberry, grape, raspberry flavor with hibiscus
- Loaded with antioxidants and excellent frozen.
- Love to blend mine with Rooibos Vanilla to smooth out the tartness
Aside from grabbing tea and food, Tea’s Me is great at offering experiences their customers will remember. They are currently working on virtual events to connect and engage with patrons. They host Tea and Therapy events, book clubs, and monthly featured speakers. They have an event coming up just this week.
Tea’s me is a beloved staple in our community with such an incredible staff. They are knowledgeable about all things tea and create a welcoming space for each person that walks through their doors.
Excited to see what they have in store for the rest of 2020!
