Chicago Teahouse

Chicago Teahouse sits at 1160 N. State Street, in the Gold Coast, a couple of blocks off Michigan Avenue. It is owned and run by Agnieszka Rapacz, who grew up in Poland, studied finance at DePaul and was director of finance at a German loose-leaf company before acquiring its US business in 2012. She became a certified tea sommelier in 2017 and a certified herbal tea blender, and she presides over the Chicago Tea Festival. The shop is woman-owned and local, and was named best tea shop in Chicago by Chicago Magazine.

More than 200 pure teas sit on the shelf, sold mostly in 100, 250 and 500 g, which is a European way of buying and unusual in an American shop. Earl Grey and Keemun Finest start at $19.95 the 100 g, Assam Marangi and Margaret's Hope Darjeeling are $29.95, a Uda Radella Ceylon $34.95. Japan is priced as a specialty: Yabukita sencha and an organic Kyushu gyokuro both by the 100 g, and a ceremonial matcha at $49.95 for 30 g. Darjeeling first flush is stocked by harvest year.

The events calendar is as long as the catalogue: group and private tastings, corporate sessions, a Tea 101 loose-leaf class, a matcha workshop, herbal and Christmas blending nights, a book club, and stalls at tea festivals and markets. Teaware covers teapots, kettles, infusers, tins, tumblers, mugs and matcha tools, so a first setup can be bought in one trip. Orders over $79 ship free, and every order leaves with a tea sample in the box.