Tea Bar

Tea Bar was founded by Erica Indira Swanson, a Portland native, at the age of 23, after moving back from China; she had gone there at 16, for two years, to learn Mandarin. The shop describes the space as a reflection of her Scandinavian roots, approachable, modern and welcoming, and in 2021 she was featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. The Pearl District bar is at 1055 NW Northrup St and opens every day from 10 to 6.

The teas come from organic and fair-trade farms, and the drinks are made without powders, artificial flavours or dyes, with boba made daily. The retail side is a short list in small pouches: a Hojicha and a Daily Matcha at 15 US$ the 20 g, a Ceremonial Matcha at 50 US$ the 50 g, a London Fog, its Earl Grey blend for lattes, at 26 US$ the 30 g, a Peppermint Hibiscus at 26 US$ the 50 g and a Cardamom Chai at 26 US$ the 70 g. Reusable mason jars are part of the house style, and a drink comes free with a kanteen purchase.

This is a bar before it is a shop, so expect a drinks menu and a tea list that is chosen for lattes and iced drinks as much as for the pot: the matcha is sold in two grades, the chai carries cardamom, and the online store mixes tea with lattes and third-party goods. The company also runs franchise and wholesale programmes. Orders are processed in one to three business days and ship by USPS, and the shop does not accept returns.