July 2008 | Healthy Living :: Tastebuds
Comfortably Numi
Liquid meditation at Oakland’s Numi Tea Garden
By Andy Isaacson
“Tea is liquid meditation,” Numi tells us, and the sound of the company’s name bears such close association to a celebrated 13th century Persian mystic poet that this statement comes off like truth, even if it’s from their own brochure. But at the Numi Tea Garden in Oakland, customers are equally encouraged to enjoy their liquid meditation solo, in the company of friends or, say, with a book club — aided by complimentary wi-fi.
Numi Tea has enjoyed a meteoric rise — the Oakland-based company has grown 500 percent in the last four years, its many products are distributed worldwide — and the Tea Garden, which opened last October in a brick industrial building just west of I-880, is like Camp Numi. Literally: their warehouse is down the street, and many of the employee offices surround the two story-high interior — including those of Ahmed and Reem Rahim, Numi’s brother-sister founders. The Rahim’s artwork decorates a space well lit by skylights and Moroccan glass lanterns and painted the calming yellow, orange and light green hues that symbolize Numi’s earthy aesthetic.
The Tea Garden is thus part company showroom, part common area, which, owing to Numi’s vibe, makes it at once inviting and worldly, like journeying somewhere far away without leaving your couch. (And there are couches, two of them, as well as polished wood tables made from fallen Chinese redwood trees and handmade mosaic tabletops that use locally salvaged tiles.) Stepping past the circular wood lattice entranceway into a room that is effectively the company’s headquarters, one becomes “Numified” — they actually use that word at Numi to describe each employee’s transformation into socially-conscious tea savant. Customers are made to feel part of Numistan in other ways; On a recent visit, I was asked to taste a new puerh blend the company was considering (you can also sign up for focus groups). The Tea Garden’s concept is therefore not unlike a winery: a destination for tasting, education and entertainment.
Lining the left wall is a display of Numi’s entire line of 73 loose tea varieties, including special blends and finer grades you won’t find in stores. Out of their biodegradable bag, Numi’s distinctive naturally flavored teas, such as the Darjeeling black tea scented with real freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries (rather than flavor sprays), are given a proper showcase. Numification also occurs regularly on the first Saturday of every month, with Tea 101 classes. But education is integrated into every serving: tea is delivered ritually — “kung-fu style” — hot water poured in turn over the pot and cups and a small ceramic Buddha. A trio of hourglasses timed for light, medium or dark brews help gauge proper steeping times. Staff are happy to suggest food pairings from the light menu, which includes locally made cheeses; pizzas and pastries (scones, no crumpets); Numi Tea-infused butter cookies; and pita with assorted organic dips.
A stage in the corner comes alive a few times a month with spoken word and music of the world; liquid meditation pairs very nicely with guitar, too.
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