A Nice Cuppa

Tavalon: The Future of Tea is Back

Posted by Fumiko Sasaki Robinson
July 7, 2009

Tavalon, the future of tea is the new black! I am feeling charmed with the arrival of Summer and her sunshine. Simply sparkly with iced emerald cuppas! I’m feeling fortified for some silvery sonic intrepid tea travels! Let us re-visit Isles of Tavalon! … First in this galaxy, to have a Tea-Jay playing on the milky way, throwin’ nano bytes, like a cuppa starry nights*

Star Trek Tea Time, far far away in a galaxy beyond the pale of Westminster’s Abbey - Or the likes of traditional tea times. Let’s see how their denizens are doing. Are you ready to travel where no Elizabethan tea cozy has dared to voyage? Ah! Adventure and tea are old companions. *Some may have already gleaned that the name Tavalon, belies a magic affinity with the past as well as the future. The fanciful Arthurian Knights of Avalon are also on the bridge, aboard Tea Trek Tavalon. Tea+Avalon=Tea paradise! An entrepreneurial tea dream carefully crafted into reality by founders John Paul Lee, Sonny Caberwal and Co-founder Chris Cason.

Tavalon has indeed taken the Abbey of Gotham City by storm since its arrival in 2006. Some of you may recall my first article on Tavalon called “GROOVE IS IN THE HEART OF TEA, AT TAVALON’S NEW TEA BAR” Tavalon. The Hip Hop Tea shop which once landed in the heart of Union Square. I think i finally get it. Tavalon is not about munching on scotch eggs, kidney pies and sugary sweets, but getting activated, and being inspired with the passion of universal motivators like music and tea.

I’m still dreaming of wearing “Ladies Tea Time Proper finery.” It’s been a long time coming, but change to our Ladies only-Mayflower Afternoon style tea parties, which typically did not include the gentlemen, has been updated here at Tavalon. A demo of their teapot du-jour, (photo below) for brewing delightful leaf is called “The Gravity Pot.” Sean Cason produces signature Tavalon video’s called This is Howie Brew it,“ which uses direct immersion with a stop and start pour system. Using sci-fi science might make it a bit easier to get “Colonial Tea Customs” into the future. Chris, Tavalon’s tea sommelier, is informative, spunky and professorial. Chris will get you spinning and mix mastering tea cocktails in no time! Try Tavalon’s soulful MoTeaTo (Like Tito Puente) or simply spin up a Matcha latte! You”ll be hopping like The Man of the Matcha! Chris is also known for his tea imbued culinary creations. I have also heard Chis lecture on tea at conventions, his passion for tea is spell bling blinging!

Over the last years, occasionally I got to see John-Paul. Hard work has paid off. John-Paul worked tirelessly at their then open 14th Street launch pad. John-Paul has been featured like mad in the media, but most notably for his creative concepts and devotion to his vision in Entrepreneur Mag. They have moved to Brooklyn and are searching for new uncharted landings soon, soon.In the press, Rachael Ray’s husband, John Cusimano, likes to chill sipping a Tavalon brew according to Rachael Ray’s magazine. Tavalon has shared The Tavalon Experience, from anywhere from Macy’s to The Rubin Museum. Sourcing select leaves from all over the universe of tea. They have taken over planet earth, and getting everyone to dance. Bravo Tavalon, The Future is back! Just let me dust off my monocle and smooth out my Victorian lovely dress…. I’m ready for the future of tea!