• Introduction

• Hotel afternoon tea

• Drake Hotel



Introduction

Why a guidebook to drinking tea in Chicago? Before now, there has never been a book devoted to the different hotels that serve afternoon tea or to the tea houses or stores that serve and sell loose — leaf tea or Asian bubble tea.

More and more people are realizing that a cup of tea can be cozy,relaxing, stimulating, and calming, and now we find that tea can help fight cancer, high cholesterol, gum disease, and heart disease. Because of these and other health benefits and the availability of many types of tea, drinking tea is becoming increasingly popular across the United States. Chicago is actually one of the best cities in the US to enjoy tea — and this book will show you why.

The first section of the book is devoted to afternoon tea served in some of the nicest hotels in the city. For locals and tourists alike, Introduction afternoon tea is a great way to enjoy the elegance and ambiance of hotels such as the Drake, Peninsula, and Four Seasons — without paying exorbitant prices.

The second section lists tea houses and shops across the city and in the suburbs that sell brewed loose-leaf tea and/or packaged loose — leaf tea. Many of these shops also sell tea pots, tea strainers, and other tea accessories.

The third section describes and lists places to buy Asian bubble tea. A refreshing cold drink, especially in the hot summer months, bubble tea comes in dozens of flavors and is fun for both children and adults.

The fourth section shows you where to buy loose-leaf tea and tea accessories online. These websites also list information about the health benefits of drinking tea and the history of tea. Finally, enjoy a glossary of the different types of tea and the cuisine that accompanies afternoon tea. This last part also lists an index by area and an alphabetical index of the entries of the first three sections.

Enjoy!