Tea is one of the many alternatives to coffee that’s overlooked — but its endless variety and host of health benefits should persuade you to stop associating it solely with sore throats and elderly British ladies. Don’t just resign yourself to Lipton, though. Evanston and Chicago boast a number of cafés and specialty shops that serve up this underrated beverage: We visited four and rated them on a scale from one to five Starbucks lattes as a guide to the best tea places for the coffee drinker.
Argo Tea: Best Specialty Drinks
1596 Sherman Ave., Evanston
Exclusive to Chicagoland, Argo Tea has established itself as a “Starbucks for tea people.” In addition to the traditional hot beverage, Argo offers a variety of nonalcoholic specialty drinks that pose no risk of burning your tongue. Both the deliciously milky bubble tea and tart Mojitea give tea lovers exotic options. But watch out when ordering iced beverages. If you don’t specify no ice, you’ll end up paying a high price for a small drink. Even though this shop focuses a lot of attention on the prepared beverages, Argo really shines as a vendor of loose tea. An ounce of the regular selection sells for around $2.50, with a two-ounce package coming in at around $5. This affords a ton of freedom to someone who wants to try funky blends, such as the rooibush (red tea) blend, without spending too much precious cash.
Café Ambrosia: Best Atmosphere
1620 Orrington Ave., Evanston
At Café Ambrosia, tea is treated as an afterthought, a choice for “the people who don’t drink coffee.” It holds a limited selection compared to the other options in Evanston, but still has a few gems, such as the Long Island Strawberry. Unfortunately, the man who took my order “wasn’t a tea guy” and could not tell me the difference between black, green and white tea. However, Café Ambrosia is not without redeeming value. My friend likened its atmosphere to that of a “youth hostel where everyone was chilling out and having a good time.” If you don’t mind regular tea served hot, stop on by, even if just for the ambiance.
The Unicorn Café: Best Accompaniments
1723 Sherman Ave., Evanston
Anything that shares its name with a mythical horse deserves a chance with me, and The Unicorn Café in Evanston earns top marks. While other coffee shops focus on only the brown brew, the staff at Unicorn actually gave me tips on how to brew a better cup of tea at my house (hint: moisten the leaves before adding the hot water to optimize the flavor). The Unicorn accompanies its great tea with the best muffins I have ever tasted. My favorite, the Morning Muffin, combines raisins, shredded carrots, brown sugar and who knows what else, and sells out everyday around mid-morning. And for the corporate-fighting rebel inside us all, The Unicorn remains independently owned here in Evanston. Just make sure to bring cash: Credit cards are not accepted.
Gschwedner: Best Variety
1160 N. State St., Chicago
Tea rookies and tea veterans alike will want to make the trek into Chicago to Tea Gschwendner. The staff has no issue explaining the differences in taste and processing between pungent black tea, medium green tea and mild white tea, explaining that they all actually come from the leaf of the same plant, Camellia sinensis. Patrons can enjoy a 10-ounce brew of any of Gschwendner’s 250 in-stock teas for about $2.50. Accustomed to Lipton’s murky water that passes for tea, I was shocked at the delicate flavor of whole-leaf tea. One thing Gschwendner lacks is a seating area to enjoy the delicious fresh-brewed tea it offered. After ordering, customers feel forced to walk out the door. Also, forget about bringing a little tea home for the family. The smallest portion of loose tea they sell is 50 grams (16 servings) and costs about $9. But these issues are small trifles when considering the expertise of the staff and amazing selection of tea from all over the globe.