Tuck Into the Perfect Cup of Tea From the Rosemary District’s TeBella Tea Company
Image: Nicole Moriarity
Tampa-based tea shop TeBella Tea Company’s owner Abigail StClair has lived many lives. Before building her Tampa Bay-area tea business, whose newest location is in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, she studied history and biology, worked as a whale trainer at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, and dabbled in a variety of other jobs. But throughout her career, she always unwound over a cup of tea.
That led her down the path to TeBella, which opened in 2010 in Tampa’s Davis Islands neighborhood. Since then, StClair’s business has grown to four stores, and TeBella also services more than 140 cafés, restaurants and hotels throughout the country. “I had no idea what I was doing or where it would take me, but since then, I’ve visited Japan, China, Sri Lanka and India on tea-buying trips,” StClair says. “Perhaps my favorite thing about tea is the ritual behind it, and that it makes me slow down to appreciate the moment I’m in.”
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Loose Leaf Tea ($9-$17 per 2 oz.)
Ranging from traditional loose leaf options, like oolong and Earl Grey, TeBella’s best sellers also include surprises like “Sweet Banana Crème,” made with chamomile and coconut, and “Almond Shortbread,” made with black tea, almonds and pistachios.
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Cast Iron Teapot ($60-$79)
TeBella’s traditional cast-iron teapots are made to last a lifetime. Each comes with an enamel coating inside to make cleaning a breeze.
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Stretching Cat Ceramic Tea Pet ($14 )
A popular component of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, ceramic tea pets are meant to be nourished with a soaking of brewed tea to represent good luck. Not only are they a vital part of tradition, they’re also just fun to have around as you sip your tea. If you’re not a cat lady, there are plenty of other critters, like an elephant, octopus or a tiny goldfish, to choose from.
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Queen & Colony Raw Honey ($14.95)
The perfect accompaniment to sweeten up your tea, Queen & Colony’s 12 oz. container of honey is sourced from urban apiaries throughout Tampa Bay.
TeBella | 591 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, (941) 376-5019, tebellatea.com
