While Melbourne is renowned as a world-class coffee capital, it's also got the chops when it comes to tea. Sarah de Witt, proprietor of the Brunswick tea house, Impala and Peacock, is a firm part of Melbourne's new tea frontier.
De Witt earned her tea sommelier stripes in France and now shares her extensive knowledge and experience with customers over high teas (complete with raw, vegan treats to complement de Witt's custom blend teas) and tea tasting sessions during which punters can concoct their own tea blends under her expert guidance.
Recognising that the tea faithful were hankering to take home her concoctions, de Witt has now expanded her tea empire to include ten teas to purchase. Black, green, oolong, Pu-erh and white teas are the keystones of her tea house, but de Witt's boutique range also extends to tisanes and herbal blends. The brews promise to soothe, detox and delight, ranging from Chocolate Mint (a blend of cacao, stevia coconut and peppermint) to Peacock Chai (a warming, peppery blend of chai tea, Australian bush spices and agave nectar).