Teas
Why has it been so difficult to get a great cup of tea in Gainesville?
That's the question we asked ourselves every time we traveled to the west coast, where people have been taking tea very seriously for quite a long time. Perhaps it has been the co-mingling of so many Asian cultures, but if you've been to San Francisco, Portland, or Seattle you know that tea drinking has (at least) been elevated to the same level as coffee. When we set out to build the menu at Volta, one of our first tasks was to recreate the tea house experience that we had enjoyed in our travels. Tea can be daunting: with hundreds of variations, preparations, and ceremonies that go back over a thousand years, it is easy for a coffee house to punt on their tea service. As part of our decision to pay as close attention to our tea as our coffee, we tasted hundreds of tea samples before deciding on our current line-up. Instead of a box of dusty tea bags, all of our teas are loose-leaf, purchased from the most respected sources.
Volta's teas are prepared with precision and care. Tea doesn't require the sort of machinery required to make great espresso, but it does demand a certain attention to detail. The tea needs to be carefully sourced. Water should be free from chemical taint and just on the side of hard water. The water's temperature needs to match the style of the tea, and tea needs to be prepared in the correct style pot for a precise amount of time. The baristas at Volta are skilled at bringing out the best in our selections. Teas that can hold up to multiple infusions, like green and oolong tea, are served in 6oz glass Hario tea pots. Just ask your barista to re-infuse your tea during your visit; the oolong teas will actually improve in taste over multiple infusions, up to four or five. Black teas and herbal teas, like our amazing peppermint, are only good for one infusion and are served in a larger, 12oz tea pot. We have multiple water towers so that we can guarantee your tea is prepared at the proper temperature.
- Green and oolong teas are served in a traditional 6oz pot and can be re-infused with hot water for multiple cups (just ask your barista for more hot water)
- Black and herbal teas are served in a 12oz pot and should only be infused once.
Limited and Rare Teas
Cloud & Mist
Our Cloud & Mist is an unusually complex, nuanced green tea that derives its delicate flavor of nectar and spice from the fragile microclimate that produces it. The body is smooth and buttery and complements the unique flavor notes well. Cloud & Mist has a sweet lingering finish reminiscent of wild honey and toasted almond. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Buddhist Tea
The small leaves of Buddhist Tea produce a delicate, nuanced cup not unlike a Dragon Well. The traditional pan-fired flavor is replaced by a very sweet fruit flavor with a subtle pine note. The deep, buttery body, often lacking in green tea, combined with low astringency, make this a very good introduction for new green tea drinkers. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Lao Chen Cha
A wonderful Chinese green tea from Shen Dong province. Lao Chen Cha is a sparkling example of a spring harvest tea. The Lao Chen builds in depth with repeated steeping. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Bao Zhong Oolong
From Nantou, Taiwan, a light flowery oolong tea remeniscent of lilac and lily with delicate notes of honey and green tea. Our premiere oolong tea. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Iron Goddess of Mercy
A dynamic medium-roast Oolong tea with complex notes of honey, lilac, and toasted almond. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Osmanthus Silver Needles
Like all authentic white teas, our Organic Othmanthus Silver Needles are grown high in the mountains of the Fujian province in Southeastern China. Hand-picked in early spring, as all true white teas are, only the tips (leaves located at the end of the plants’ branches) are used because they have the highest concentration of flavor and plant nutrients. The naturally refreshing characteristics of the tea pair perfectly with osthmanthus flowers providing a fruity flavor reminiscent of fresh apricots and wild honey. The finish is clean with the pleasant lingering flavor of fresh osthmanthus flowers. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Karigane
A spring-picked green tea made from fresh Gyokuro and Sencha tea leaves and stems. Karigane has deep nutty flavor, with overtones of brown butter and pepper. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Sencha
Sencha is a classic Japanese bittersweet green tea from Japan with a grassy aroma and slightly nutty flavor, specifically one made without grinding the tea leaves. Our sencha is less aggressive in its bite than the karigane. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Classic and Herbal Teas
English Breakfast Tea
A blend of organic black teas with a complex and spicy aroma, malty flavor and a distinct apricot
undertone. Enjoy it straight, or with milk and sugar. Black tea, single 12oz pot.
Earl Grey
A traditional blend of organic black tea with the intense floral citrus flavor of bergamot oil. Black tea, single 12oz pot.
Lapsang Souchong
Organic black tea with a complex peppery aroma and the flavor of smoke from pine needles. Black tea, single 12oz pot.
Jasmine Green Tea
Sweet organic green tea scented with fresh aromatic jasmine blossoms. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Moroccan Mint Green Tea
Sweet organic jasmine green tea blended with intense peppermint. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
Raspberry Green Tea
Chinese green tea infused with sweet dried raspberries. 12oz pot, single infusion.
Orchid Oolong
Fuji, China, oolong with round and earthy with flavors of toasted wheat and citrus fruit. 6oz pot, multiple infusions.
English Breakfast Tea
A blend of organic black teas with a complex, spicy aroma and malty finish. Single 12oz pot.
Blue Crane Herbal Blend
Organic rooibos and honey bush produce a sweet, malty alternative to black tea.
Chamomile
A warm, soothing cup with a buttery body and apple-like aroma. Certified organic.
Organic Peppermint
Very strong peppermint. The ethereal menthol flavor is both stimulating and refreshing.
Blend 333
Intelligentsia's blend of peppermint, chamomile, and rose hips. Soothing, yet refreshing.
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