Whether it be a mason jar filled with glistening ice cubes and sweet iced tea, or the foaming peaks of a London Fog tea latte, Americans sure do enjoy their tea. We can thank China’s Shang dynasty, where it all began. From there, the curious medicinal drink made its way to Japan, India, and finally to the UK and America. It’s been smuggled, taxed, fought over, promoted as a liquid miracle, and even kicked off the American Revolution. The variety of teas today reaches far beyond floating leaves and bitter miracles. Today the offerings at tea houses across the world range from traditional to visionary, and Greenville’s tea bars are bustling social hangouts where you can grab a bubble tea, mix your own herbal remedy, or watch a beautiful blossom artfully unfold in your cup.
Tea Bar Guide
O·CHA tea bar
Greenville’s oldest independently owned tea bar, which opened in 2005, sits on the Reedy River right along the River Walk. It’s a cool spot for grabbing a tea to go, enjoying the view with friends, or letting your four-legged family member enjoy a whipped-cream cup. Their signature drinks include bubble tea, with over 100 flavor combinations and styles, and their most popular hot offering is Cream Earl Grey latTEA. Loose-leaf teas, pastries, sandwiches, and vegetarian fare are among their other offerings.
300 River St, #122, Greenville. @ochateabar
Joi Natural Wellness
Natural remedies and in-house formulations are the specialty at this women-owned tea bar and shop. If your allergies are a bother, order their signature Allergy Relief Tea, soothe that aching tummy with a cup of Digestive Blend, or fortify that immune system with Iced Matcha Latte. Along with teas, tonics, and elixirs at the bar, you’ll find locally crafted loose-leaf teas, essential oils, tea ball diffusers, custom skin care, pain relief, and immunity products all aimed at a healthier you.
86 Orchard Park Rd, Greenville. joinaturalwellness.com
White Rabbit Tea Shop
Located in Powdersville, just outside of Greenville, this Wonderland-inspired tea spot offers up a wide variety of bubble teas, and a large selection of loose-leaf hot and cold iced teas. Sip on Alice’s Blend signature hot tea and don’t miss the notes of grenadine and vanilla in a black tea blended with calendula and sunflower petals. The signature cold brew is Milk Tea, an Assam blend mixed with non-dairy creamer served over ice with or without boba. Looking for a unique experience? Make your reservation for a full, English-style (with a Southern twist) afternoon tea service complete with biscuits and scones, small sandwiches, and a variety of desserts.
3407 Hwy. 153, Piedmont. whiterabbitteashoppe.com
The Kava Konnection
Greenville’s first and only kava bar is an alcohol-free nightlife hot spot. Kava is their specialty, prepared in traditional South Pacific method or mixed into tasty kava-based mocktails. What is kava? It’s a South Pacific native tea steeped from the roots of the piper methysticum plant. The tea evokes a sense of relaxation, calm, and mood elevation, and is known to increase happiness and socialization without the mental impairment of alcohol. Traditional kava is served in a coconut bowl and passed among friends.
1540 Wade Hampton Blvd, Suite H, Greenville. thekavakonnection.com
Cosmic Rabbits Tea Company
A mother and daughter team own this tea bar in downtown Greenville, which specializes in sustainable, ethically sourced tea. The duo are passionate about the health benefits of tea and are happy to share their own story of its healing properties with guests. Power up with their Pro-Tea-n Shakes or try something unique and order one of their Black Tea sodas. Need gifts? They stock a variety of mugs, infusers, and other tea-inspired goods.
131 E McBee Ave, Greenville. cosmicrabbits.com
Kava Kreation
Kava is prepared by adding ground kava root into a cheesecloth strainer bag. Be careful not to let any of the grounds escape! Hold the tea over a bowl, and pour water into the strainer bag. A good rule of thumb is four parts water to one part kava. Submerge the strainer bag into the water and carefully knead the bag until the kava in the bag no longer feels oily. Squeeze all of the water out of the bag. Your cup of kava will look a little muddy and could be tan to dark brown depending on the type of kava used.
