Thirsty? Step out of reality and settle yourself into a couch or stool with a hot cup of tea at Mad Hat Tea Company.
Mad Hat Tea Company offers an exceptional ambiance to engage in philosophical conversations, to lose yourself in a book or chat with old friends. This establishment is a hidden treasure of Tacoma located in the heart of downtown.
The Mad Hat Tea Company offers an extensive listing of teas, categorized by their type. Choices include green, white, black, ooloong, rooibos and yerba mate, to name just a few.
Mad Hat also offers its own special blends, including but not limited to Enchanted Evening (chamomile, hibiscus, rose buds, peppermint, cinnamon spear bark, orange peel, rose buds and petals) or Mad Snickerdoodle (black tea, almonds, cinnamon and safflower blossoms).
Teas are also listed by ways in which they can aid ailments: coughing your head off, hangover helper and sinus aid are of a few of the offerings. They also have teas for endurance, weight-loss, relaxation, energy and insomnia.
Their book of teas also offers information on the benefits of teas including rooibos, holy basil and yerba mate. If you don’t intend to do homework while at Mad Hat, you can spend an hour educating yourself on the history and benefits of tea for the mind/body/soul.
Inside the tea company, books line the walls, and decks of cards, along with cribbage and chess boards are left around to play. On a previous visit to the tea company I was lucky enough to have my future told by a tarot card reader; you, too, could have the chance to partake in a card reading.
Mad Hat Tea Company sells bags of their tea in addition to the cups, and the tea can be found served in various cafes and coffee shops across Tacoma. Tea by the cup costs $2.50, incredibly reasonable for the amount you receive (compared to the average coffee), and you can buy a bag ranging from $5.00 to $40.00.
My friend and I each enjoyed a cup of free tea. The owner cheerfully announced it to be free tea day and let us enjoy a large mug of whatever steaming cup we desired.
I savored a cup of vanilla honeybush tea. Initially, I was off put by the bitterness of the tea, but by the second sip the sweet and delicate flavor of the vanilla was evident. This decaffeinated tea was perfectly soothing and counteracted the rainy weather.
We intend to relax and study at Mad Hat again and hope that you too will try this quirky hang out.
If you are yearning for a break from campus or the perfect spot for some intellectual stimulation, go experience Mad Hat Tea Company. It is open Mon. – Sat. from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located on 1130 Commerce St. Tacoma, WA 98402.
PHOTO COURTESY/ASHLEY KARDIAN
