One can sip tea from 1,000 cups, but a Tucson tea education has not commenced without a visit to Seven Cups. The first American tea-trading company to receive its own Chinese trading license, this shop sends representatives to broker deals with actual tea farmers and bring back one of the most interesting arrays of bulk green, oolong, puer and other exotic teas around. It's exotic and high-end stuff, and the staff is always ready to share the meticulous brewing techniques needed to coax out every nuance. Many a neophyte has made the leap from Lipton to lavish thanks to the weekly tea classes, and you need look no further than the accessory shelf for everything you need to establish a tea ceremony of your very own.
Runners up:
2. Teavana
2905 E. Skyline Drive
299-2137
5870 E. Broadway Blvd.
747-2686
412 N. Fourth Ave.
624-4821
