Point Loma Tea

Point Loma Tea has been part of Liberty Station since 2012, when it took a unit in Barracks 14 as one of the first tenants of the second phase of that redevelopment. It sits at 2770 Historic Decatur Rd, among the shops, restaurants and art galleries of the same block. The shop's account of its own collection is plain enough: more than a hundred organic, hand-picked teas, no artificial ingredients, and every one of them tasted by the staff before it is allowed onto the shelf.

The whole catalogue is priced in 1, 2, 4 and 8 oz, which makes this the easiest counter in the city for buying a single ounce of a classic and moving on. The ladder is short and readable: Earl Grey Grand, English Breakfast and a roasted rooibos at the bottom, whole chamomile blossom just above them, Ti Kuan Yin higher, and Dragonwell at the top of what we list. Black, green, matcha, oolong, pu-erh, white, rooibos, chai and botanicals all appear, plus decaffeinated teas and sachets.

The other half of the shop is objects: cast-iron teapots, gaiwans, matcha bowls and whisks, infusers, tea tins, travel bottles and iced-tea makers, along with scones, jams, honey, books and cards. There is a tea room for tastings and for booked tea experiences. It closes on Mondays, opens at eleven the rest of the week, and stays open longest on Friday and Saturday, which is the window to use if you want time at the teaware wall.