Tea often gets overshadowed by its highly caffeinated cousin, coffee — which is a shame, especially for those who know the benefits of this natural, calming beverage prized for its medicinal qualities since 2737 BC.
And if there’s any time and place to explore the world of tea, it’s during the winter months in Colorado, as this steaming drink can make a cold, snowy day all the more enjoyable. Plus, we have several teahouses and tea shops in and around Fort Collins — and even over to Steamboat Springs and Estes Park. Each provides a plethora of loose-leaf teas, tea accessories, and a cozy environment in which to shop or sip.
Happy Lucky’s Teahouse | Fort Collins
Since 2009, Happy Lucky’s Teahouse has been the go-to source for high-quality teas in Fort Collins. With a commitment to quality, selection and community, Happy Lucky’s offers an interactive and immersive experience in their Old Town shop. Here, you can peruse their collection of more than 200 loose-leaf teas (the largest in the state of Colorado!) on their Great Wall of Tea. Their “leafsters” will help you find the perfect tea, whether you like white, green or black tea — or maybe oolong, herbal or rooibos. You can then enjoy your selection in their cozy tea room, outside on the patio, or at the tea bar — or simply sip it at home! Happy Lucky’s has a large assortment of teaware and brewing accessories to enhance your at-home tea experience.
Ku Cha House of Tea | Fort Collins
What started as a small shop in Boulder in 2005, has now grown to a Colorado original with locations in downtown Fort Collins and Cherry Creek North in Denver. Offering a traditional Chinese tea shop experience, Ku Cha House of Teas has hundreds of teas, teaware and gifts in their Old Town shop, and every tea has information about its flavors, origins and legends. Owners Qin Liu and Rong Pan had a mission to bring their customers the finest teas from around the world — and they’ve done just that over the last 20+ years! And their expert staff will offer guidance for your specific palate. And when you shop online, you can check out similar inventory and even blend your own tea.
Serenitea’s Tea Room | Estes Park
If you’re in Estes Park, Serenitea’s Tea Room is a can’t-miss experience. This elegant, cozy tea room with vintage furniture and decor offers the perfect setting for sipping tea with loved ones. Plus, they serve brunch, homemade scones, desserts, and other bites to accompany your tea. Their special Afternoon Tea includes tea sandwiches, homemade scones, and seasonal desserts. Reservations are required for Afternoon Tea, but walk-ins are welcome for breakfast, lunch, and desserts. Once you’ve lingered for a while, head over to their tea shop just down the street called Rocky Mountain SereniTEA. Here, you’ll find more than 100 types of specialty loose-leaf teas, all hand blended and packed into single bags with love. Signature blends include Rocky Mountain High, Glacier Gorge, Breakfast in Estes Park, SereniTEA and more. They also have teapots and tea accessories, which make the perfect gift for someone — or yourself!
The Spice & Tea Exchange | Fort Collins
Spice up your life with a visit to The Spice & Tea Exchange, a national tea shop with a location right here in Fort Collins. The shop has a variety of fine spices, handcrafted seasonings, salts, sugars, gifts, and of course, loose-leaf teas. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff can guide you through the expansive tea collection, which includes black, green, white, Chai, yerba mate, oolong, herbal, matcha teas, and more. Plus, this is the perfect time to pick some seasonings for the pantry, as The Spice & Tea Exchange has more than 85 handcrafted seasonings, all hand-mixed in store daily.
Free Leaf | Online + NoCo Markets
Free Leaf started as a small business in 2015, popping up at craft shows and farmers’ markets around Colorado with loose-leaf teas and other handmade gifts. The business has since evolved and grown quite the following — especially for tea lovers! Both online and in person, you can shop their high-quality goods sourced from local artisans, plus a wide selection of teas and tea accessories. All their teas are made in small batches and sourced responsibly — plus, they come in eco-friendly, resealable bags. Free Leaf owner Ashley has always been in love with herbs and plants and is happy to share the health benefits they have to offer! Shop their selection online to find something special, whether that’s a bag of tea or a unique gift.
Roots and Leaves Kava & Teas | Fort Collins
Take your tea drinking experience to the next level at Roots & Leaves Kava & Teas, a unique tea bar focused on kava with locations in Santa Fe, Longmont, and right here in Fort Collins. But what is kava exactly? It’s a relaxing beverage made from dried or fresh roots of the kava plant, which grows on islands in the South Pacific. The plant has been harvested by the inhabitants of Oceania for 3,000 years and has powerful relaxing powers. At Roots and Leaves, choose from their kava, kombucha or an assortment of herbal teas. Their most popular kava is the green kava, which is a mild energy booster that gives a euphoric feeling and brings centered focus. The red kava helps you unwind, calm the mind and release tension, while the white kava can replace caffeine with its energizing effects. Before you go, read the FAQs to learn more about kava.
Aspen Botanicals | Steamboat Springs
Situated in the heart of Steamboat, Aspen Botanicals is a community apothecary offering a variety of organic bulk herbs, hand-blended teas, ritual support, nutritional supplements, aromatherapy, and more. Owner and herbalist Jenna is an avid tea drinker and tea blending has become her favorite craft of her herbal wellness practices. Thus, tea has become a focal point in Aspen Botanicals, where you’ll find shelves of hand-blended teas of all kinds displayed in glass jars. Jenna is happy to introduce different flavors and energetics to those who are curious and long to replenish themselves.
Have a Teariffic Time!
What tea shops in Northern Colorado do you love? Tell us in the comments below!
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