Tea is an ancient beverage enjoyed by people worldwide. There's nothing quite like the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of tea. It's equally refreshing hot or iced. It's also easy to make a terrific pot of tea at home thanks to three fantastic tea shops near our apartments in Cambridge.

These local shops offer carefully selected, loose-leaf tea grown on small farms around the world. They include:

Virtuous Teas

In 1995, Eo McNeil opened Virtuous Teas to share her passion for tea culture. She writes thoughtful descriptions of each tea on the website. You’ll find out where it's grown, the harvest time, and the unique flavor profile. Some great teas to try are the Darjeeling Castleton Estate, the Rukeri Rwandan green tea, and the Spring Buds yellow tea. Virtuous Teas is just a 10-minute drive from Luxe at Alewife. In addition, the shop offers curbside pickup and ship-to-home options.

Abide

Cambridge-based Abide is a fun tea shop offering a wide variety of handcrafted teas. The shop's logo is the pineapple, a "symbol of hospitality." Its vibrant website has colorful artwork and beautiful photos of their unique tea blends. The Charles blend, rooibos tea, and the Alewife blend, jasmine green tea, are simply delicious. Although the shop is currently closed, it ships yummy teas right to your door.

MEM Tea

Mark Eli Mooradian started MEM Tea in 1999. He wanted to source "teas with integrity" for people to discover and enjoy. Customers rave about the Golden buds-milk oolong. But the Yerba Mate and the Masala Chai are fan favorites too. Other than tea, find accessories like beautiful teapots, cups, and infusers. The shop also gives instructions on the right way to steep tea for the best possible flavor. The shop offers shipping and curbside pickup.

While you're enjoying your fresh pot of tea, take a virtual visit to the Massachusetts Historical Society. If you're thinking of making Luxe at Alewife your new home, please contact us. We'd love to tell you more about our luxurious apartments in Cambridge, MA.