Steve Schwartz was just 19, when in the aftermath of family tragedy, he became curious about Eastern medicine and began studying Ayurvedic—one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems that utilizes, in part, blends of herbs to treat ailments. Although his pursuits took him the world over to meet the farmers growing these medicinal botanicals, he certainly never set out to become an international tea guru to so many of SoCal’s best restaurants and hotels.
Here's how it happened: After settling back in LA, he began experimenting with blending teas and botanicals grown from the farmers he befriended during his travels. Catching the attention of a few local chefs (including Wolfgang Puck of Spago), the thirst for the master blender's teas escalated from there.
Art of Tea Hibiscus Cooler Sangria. Image courtesy of @artofteala
New Art of Tea line available soon. Image courtesy of @artofteala
In 2004, with boxes piled high in his living room, he started the LA-based tea company Art of Tea. Today, Steve has a repertoire of over 200 teas—all hand-blended and hand-packed for quality. In other steaming hot news, Art of Tea is launching four new collections this summer—Classic, Location, Time, and Iced Teas—with eye-fetchin’ labels designed by LA-based Elevate Creative Ventures.
So where does this tea leaf whisperer steep out when in search of the best afternoon tea in Los Angeles (and beyond)? No tasseography needed, simply scroll on for these posh pinky-lifting ops:
The Trails Cafe
Griffith Park, Tea $2.75
Steve Schwartz: I love going on a Sunday hike in Griffith Park to TheTrails Cafe. It's this awesome cafe that serves coffee, light food, pastries, and—of course—tea in the middle of the park. Pretty cool concept and a great way to start the week. Try the Earl Grey Crème featuring organic black tea hand blended with bergamot and notes of French vanilla.
Baltaire Restaurant
Brentwood, Matcha Tea Service $15
SS: We worked closely with the beverage director at Baltaire, a steakhouse in Brentwood, to develop their tableside matcha program. It's a modern take on a Japanese ceremony/tea ritual and the servers have been trained to prepare the matcha according to tradition.
Matcha tea at Baltaire. Image courtesy of @ArtofTea
Hotel Bel-Air
Bel Air, Afternoon Tea $60
SS: For a weekend getaway, the Hotel Bel Air has a top notch tea program—a cup of the Signature Swan Song tea featuring Jasmine green tea, raspberries and hibiscus with notes of strawberry rhubarb—is the best way to christen a stay at this luxurious property.
The Getty Villa*
Pacific Palisades, Tea by the Sea Program $36
SS: The beautiful aromas at the Getty Villa in Malibu are actually mirrored with the tea at the iconic SoCal museum. We created a signature Getty Villa Blend for visitors that takes inspiration from the wild shrubbery and curated botanicals around the gardens. It's a black tea blend featuring single origin black tea and choice lavender.
*Getty Villa's high tea, coined
Tea by the Sea, is offered twice weekly at the Founder’s Room.
Belmond El Encanto Hotel
Santa Barbara, High Tea $20 - $46
SS: It's more of a trek from LA proper, but the El Encanto in Santa Barbara is worth the drive for the stunning views. Add the El Encanto Iced Tea Blend, featuring a refreshing blend of citrus combined with black and green tea and you can truly transport yourself to paradise.
Belmond El Encanto Hotel. Image courtesy of Belmont El Encanto
Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles, who concludes that she should really matcha down her espresso habits. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or instagram @gos22
