Capital Teas...one of my favorite things

I think you all know me as a Starbucks gal...I have their stock, drink their coffee daily, travel with the awesome new VIA instant packets and know when Gazebo blend comes out in the summer, Anniversary blend in the fall and Christmas blend, etc. you get the picture. Brad and I even have a standing yearly date to have the first Pumpkin Spice Latte together when it comes out as well as the Eggnog Latte in November. But I like tea too and one of the best tea places around for all your wants and needs is right here in the greater DC area. It's called Capital Teas in Annapolis with a new store in National Harbor. LOVE IT!

The store is owned by friends of ours, Peter and Manelle Martino. Pete is a USNA classmate of Brad's. Here is Manelle's story from their website: www.capitalteas.com

Capital Teas, owned by Manelle and Peter Martino of Annapolis, Maryland opened in summer 2007 in historic downtown Annapolis. The quaint and historic building where it started selling teas is in reminiscent of an old English tea shop that might be found in the South Kensington or Chelsea areas of London. This flagship store is also just one block from the Maryland State Capitol (depicted on the logo), the nation's oldest Capitol in continuous use.

Tea has always been a part of the owners' lives and Capital Teas is an extension of their interest and passion for the wonderful benefits of tea. Manelle Martino's family has been involved in the tea trade for five generations. Her family tradition started with her great-great-grandfather, Francis Van Reyk (pictured below), a Dutch tea planter who managed the well-known Diyagama Estate in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the late nineteenth century. Among the over 100 types of loose tea we sell today, Capital Teas is proud to offer Great-Great-Grandfather's tea, a BOP tea, from this very Sri Lankan estate. The family tradition is also alive and well with a variety of teas supplied to us by a wholesale tea distribution firm in Australia owned by Manelle's uncle.

Capital Teas specializes in providing our customers with a comprehensive selection of the freshest and highest quality teas from around the world, and a variety of both traditional and modern tea accessories. We source our teas from the world's finest growing countries and regions, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, South Africa, and Kenya. Additionally, our fruit and herbal infusions, and many of our blended Rooibos teas, are masterfully crafted in Germany. Finally, we offer several of our very own unique tea blends.

Check them out, you won't regret it.
6 Cornhill Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 263-TEAS [8327]
Fax: (443) 926-9109
Website: www.capitalteas.com
Inquiries: Inquiries@CapitalTeas.com

Capital Teas' Winter Romance (contains alcohol)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups chilled Cinnamon Orange green tea
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 ounces vodka
1 ounce brandy
Splash of Orange Juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 cups crushed ice
Recipe:
1. Mix all ingredients in a blender, placing crushed ice in first.
2. Blend 2 minutes on medium speed.
3. Pour into brand snifters and garnish with cinnamon; serve immediately.