In addition to Seattle’s Zen Dog and Floating Leaves, there is now the Tea Garden in Ravenna’s East West Bookshop. Opened in December 2009 – when the East

The Tea Garden: a soothingly tranquil stop in an often overly hectic world.

Steve Bonnell brings his love for teas to his customers - his enthusiasm is truly contagious.

West Bookshop decided to devote its prime window-front store real estate to its tea garden – the tea garden is overseen by Tea Garden Manager, Tea Buyer, and tea-master-in-training Stephen (Steve) Bonnell. Steve first fell in love with the art of tea – also known as gongfu cha/kungfu cha – when he was in a rock band that just happened to tour through Des Moines, Iowa (of all places); there, he found the tea shop that set in motion a new path for Steve: Gong Fu Tea. After that life-changing tea shop encounter, Steve worked as a barista at Starbucks. Then, in June 2008, he began working retail at East West Bookshop; 18 months later, the Tea Garden was born.

Steve hand-selects nearly two dozen teas himself.

“I just pick out teas that I like,” Steve admits, “and see how our customers feel about them.”

His choices are well-placed; Steve offers the full range of tea types, from white to green to black to oolong to pu-erh tea to herbals/tisanes to rooibos to yerba maté. Steve’s teas are sold in 2 oz. resealable bags for approximately $5-$10 a piece. Favs include the Drum Mountain White Cloud Tea and the Earl Grey De La Creme

Steve also makes a clear distinction between coffee and tea: “Tea is more alpha, while coffee is more beta,” Steve shares, “whereas coffee tends to make us more excited, tea helps us to relax.”

If you're thinking of getting serious with tea, Steve's Gongfu cha starter kit is worth consideration. He also sells a see-through thermos loose tea infuser that's way cool.

He also shares his own, self-assembled Gongfu Cha Starter kit, complete with gaiwan brewing tea cup with lid and base, a tea strainer, a tea strainer holder (in the shape of a hand), a tea pot, two tall sniffing cups (to enjoy the intense aroma of the tea, much like swirling wine in its glass to release the scents), two shorter tasting cups, and two bamboo coaster for the tasting cups – all served up in a decorative basket for $38.

Both the bookshop and the Tea Garden are open seven days a week, with classes on healing, self-help, and tea tasting occurring several times weekly. (Note: Typically Steve’s classes take place the first Sunday of every month, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; however, after this afternoon’s class, his next tea class is scheduled for Sunday, April 11, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – he’s taking a break over the Easter holiday.)

So head on over and pick up a gongfu cha-style starter set and some of Steve’s tasty teas. Attend on of his tea classes and tastings, even.

Who knows … you may even learn a thing or two about the benefits of tea, dear hedonists.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.