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The Random Tea Room
713 N 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19123
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Main Menu
Black Teas Of Sri Lanka & Assam
these are fully oxidized teas, among the most highly-caffeinated and full-bodied within the tea spectrum. black teas from sri lanka (formerly known as ceylon) and the north indian state of assam are particularly well suited to the addition of milk and/or sugar. however, owing to the quality of our rotating selection of these single-estate teas, it is worth first tasting them on their own
House Ceylon
this brisk, full-bodied classic hails from the mountains of sri lanka – formerly ceylon, hence the name of all tea grown there. our house ceylon is on a rotating basis, meaning that we frequently offer different teas from different tea estates and regions, seeking quality and diversity of flavor – but it will always have that characteristic “brisk” flavour for which ceylon teas have come to be prized. ask your tea tender about the source of our current selection. this brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar
- Pot $6.00
- Small Cup $3.25
- Large Cup $3.50
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Tippy Reserve Assam
the full-bodied, malty quality of assam is often the backbone of popular european blends such as english breakfast. our tippy reserve is a hearty brew, yet exhibits a mellow, woodsy character with a long, crisp finish. another tea we keep on a rotating basis, feel free to ask your tea tender about the origin of our current assam. this brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar
- Pot $6.00
- Small Cup $3.25
- Large Cup $3.50
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Spiced Assam
an exotic, aromatic brew composed of harmutty estate assam blended with green cardamom seed, cinnamon, clove, star anise, black pepper and fresh ginger. (this house blend is similar to the mixture used as the basis of flavor for our chai masala.)
- Pot $7.75
- Small Cup $3.75
- Large Cup $4.00
- Loose Per Oz. $4.75
Caffeine-free Tisanes
Organic Rooibos
also known as red bush tea, rooibos (pronounced “roy-bus”) is a mineral-rich and highly antioxidant herbal beverage from south africa. naturally caffeine-free, its flavor is somewhat similar to black tea, though very low in tannins so it doesn’t turn bitter if steeped for too long. rooibos is characteristically mild and aromatic with a slightly citric sweetness and is excellent hot or iced. this herbal tisane can also stand up to milk or sugar
- Pot: $5.50
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $2.50
Bourbon Vanilla Honeybush
honeybush is another “bush tea” from south africa and is naturally caffeine-free with a sweet honey-like flavor. also a nice source of calcium, our version is flavored with genuine bourbon vanilla. richly aromatic, honeybush is a delight at any time of day, and can be enjoyed with or without milk or sugar
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.25
Red Berry Fruit Melange
a fruity delight, the red berry fruit melange is composed of blueberries, black currants, elder berries, grapes and hibiscus. packed full of vitamins and an excellent choice for kids and grown-ups alike
- Pot $6.00
- Small Cup $3.25
- Large Cup $3.50
- Loose Per Oz. $2.75
Chinese Reds
black tea grown in china is called red tea (not to be confused with the caffeine-free herbal tisane rooibos from south africa, also known as “red bush tea”). the best known of the chinese reds, keemun, is appropriately referred to as “the burgundy of teas.” red teas are often described as having a “winy” flavor and/or body, and they also yield a discernibly redder liquor (liquid) than their indian relatives. red teas from anhui, yunnan, hunan and fujian provinces often exhibit notes of chocolate, wood and earth and consequently pair very well with spicy food and chocolate. a high quality red tea is renowned for its rich, subtly sweet flavor and exceptionally smooth finish
Organic South Cloud
a smooth, slightly smoky, full-bodied tea made from the broad-leafed tea varietal "dayeh" from yunnan province. many of the leaves are gold-tipped, which results in a more complex flavor and a deep amber liquor. exceedingly drinkable, this tea can stand up to milk and/or sugar, but we recommend first trying it alone
- Pot $5.50
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Keemun Mao Feng
from anhui province, the keemun mao feng is milder yet more complex than most keemuns, with an elegantly bold and wiry leaf style. this awakening brew reminds us of barley on the nose, next offering a touch of spice, perhaps nutmeg, followed by a gently smoky finish. satisfying and smooth, this tea is best savored on its own
- Pot $7.25
- Small Cup $4.00
- Large Cup $4.25
- Loose Per Oz. $4.75
Golden Monkey King
this delectable brew comes from fujian province, a region also revered for its green, white & oolong teas. surprisingly sweet, mellow, complex and smooth, with a tantalizing chocolate aroma
- Pot $8.00
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.50
- Loose Per Oz. $5.25
Chinese Whites
once only reserved for the emperor, white teas are only steamed and dried, never withered, rolled or oxidized, offering not only the healthiest brew, but also the lowest amount of caffeine. depending on the tea, white tea is either primarily or entirely composed of tea buds as opposed to leaves. the minimal processing gives us a chance to view the closest approximation of the tea in its raw state. due to their extremely delicate character, white teas should only be savored on their own so that the finest and faintest of their flavors can be fully enjoyed. their whispering nature is considered the perfect tone of subtlety for meditation. sipping on a pot of white tea is an activity to calm the spirit and clear the mind.
Drum Mountain White Cloud
tenderly plucked, large silvery buds from the famous mountain where the monks of the buddhist drum mountain monastery grew their tea for centuries. drum mountain is our house white, exemplifying the slightly sweet nature of white tea, but adding a nuanced vegetal tone often associated with only the most refined chinese greens. drum mountain can be enjoyed morning, noon or night, but is always best relished on its own
- Pot Or Gaiwan $8.00
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.50
- Loose Per Oz. $5.50
Fuding White Treasure
to sip morning dew, sliding from a tea blossom, fuding white treasure. this haiku is as close as we can come to describing the experience of fuding white treasure. this tea is unique among chinese whites. hailing from fujian province, renowned for many of its green and red teas, fuding is a recent favorite among white teas in the tea world and as such, supply each year is limited
- Pot Or Gaiwan $8.50
- Small Cup $4.50
- Large Cup $4.75
- Loose Per Oz. $7.75
Bodhidharma’s Eyelids
a very special house blend of organic pai mu tan (white peony white tea) and cha hua (tea flowers). our cha hua hail from jing mai mountain in southern yunnan, where the tea trees range from 800 – 1,200 years old. every fall the tea trees blossom just before producing seeds and going into winter hibernation. cha hua have a floral and fruity flavor, recalling apricot or honeydew on the nose, with a subtle sweet flavor hinting of fig. delicious and soothing with only trace amounts of caffeine. the addition of pai mu tan to these tea flowers adds body, balance and a nutty character. enjoy this harmonious pairing in a gaiwan any time of day or night
- Pot Or Gaiwan $8.00
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.50
- Loose Per Oz. $5.75
Darjeeling
known across the tea world as "the champagne of tea," the town of darjeeling lies in the himalayan foothills of the northern indian state of west bengal and is the namesake of all the tea grown in the area. teas from the darjeeling district are unique in flavor and processing because they are derived from chinese tea plant varietals (and later, hybrids) that were first planted there at the behest of the british in the mid-19th century. we keep both of our selections on a rotating basis to ensure freshness and quality, so be sure to ask about the estate origin of either tea
Namring Summer Flush Darjeeling
our house darjeeling from the namring estate displays a full-bodied yet mild flavor while retaining the classic crisp flavor associated with darjeeling, offering notes of citrus, spice and earth. perfect in the morning or afternoon, this tea can stand up to milk or sugar, but we recommend first trying it on its own to fully appreciate its quality and complexity
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $4.50
House Spring Flush Darjeeling
first (or spring) flush darjeelings are some of the most elegant and exciting teas in the world -- there simply is nothing else like them. the diversity of flavor found in first flush darjeelings is most impressive, but they are routinely revered for their floral, vegetal and muscatel grape flavor profiles. this bouquet of flavors holds true to its origins of a pristine himalayan tea garden, yet also evokes memories of the forest on a glittering spring day. like a fine wine, this tea should always be savored on its own
- Pot $8.50
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.75
- Loose Per Oz. $8.00
Healing Herbal Infusions
Belly Blend
a blend of peppermint, wild yam, chamomile, fennel, licorice and dried ginger. designed to soothe the digestive system, whether the sourness is related to the stomach or the intestinal track
- Pot $6.75
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Deliverance
a blend of dandelion root, red clover, burdock, lavender, fresh ginger, lapacho and hibiscus. designed to assist the body in cleansing itself of toxins, this ruddy brew will be there for you the day after a hard night. cleans up the blood
- Pot $6.75
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
For The Defense
a blend of cinnamon, chamomile, nettle, marshmallow root, dandelion, clove, fresh ginger, lemon, licorice and elder berries. designed to support the immune system when under attack, in times of health, or just when “something’s been going around.”
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
The Glowing Throat
a blend of licorice, fennel, nettle, sassafrass, red raspberry and slippery elm. designed to soothe a scratchy or inflamed throat while fighting off any infection that might be hiding there
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $2.75
Hangover Tamer
a blend of yerba mate, peppermint, lapacho, licorice, nettle and fresh ginger. designed to reduce inflammation (headache much?), detoxify the blood and put a spring back in your step. contains caffeine
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Respiratory Rescue
a blend of nettle, dried ginger, mullein, licorice, lemon and elder berries. designed to support the respiratory system in responding to infection and strain. helps with the harshness of everyday urban pollution too
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Simmer Down
a blend of chamomile, kava, lemon balm, motherwort, lavender and passionflower. designed to assist the body in alleviating stress and worn nerves. very relaxing. this is calm in a cup
- Pot $6.75
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.50
Spin Cycle
a blend of motherwort, damiana, dried ginger, red raspberry leaf, honeybush and lavender. designed to help ease the symptoms of an unruly cycle while encouraging the body to stabilize its regularity
- Pot $6.75
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.25
House Blended Specialties
4th St. Breakfast
a house-blended tea composed of the trinity of our house ceylon, harmutty estate assam and organic south cloud chinese red tea
- Pot $6.75
- Small Cup $3.75
- Large Cup $4.00
- Loose Per Oz. $3.50
Chai Masala
our very own, made every morning from scratch with love and devotion – no concentrate here! hand-ground spices harmonize with mapelhofe farms whole milk, harmutty assam, fresh ginger, brown sugar, vanilla & rose water. there’s nothing quite like it!
- Pot $9.00
- Small Cup $4.75
- Large Cup $5.25
Spiced Assam
harmutty estate assam blended with green cardamom seed, cinnamon, clove, star anise, black pepper and fresh ginger. (this house blend is similar to the mixture used as the basis of flavor for our chai masala.)
- Pot $8.00
- Small Cup $3.75
- Large Cup $4.00
- Loose Per Oz. $4.75
Morroccan Mint
the favorite style of tea among many across morocco and its neighbors, our version employs dried peppermint, gunpowder green tea and turbinado sugar as the base that is poured into glasses stuffed with fresh mint leaves
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.25
- Large Cup $3.50
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Japanese Teas
House Sencha
sencha is a large family of steamed japanese green teas spanning every grade from coarse to sublime. our house sencha is a pleasant everyday tea that is vegetal and slightly sweet. this sencha also makes a great iced tea during the warmer months and pairs marvelously with lemongrass, ginger and all citrus
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.50
Gyokuro Asahina
from the uji prefecture, gyokuro means “precious dew pearl” and is the highest grade of japanese green leaf tea within the 3-tiered grading system. special straw mats are spread over the tops of the tea plants toward the end of their growth to provide shade, which imparts the subtly sweet flavor for which gyokuro has come to be revered. an especially verdant tea with a soft, delicate flavor, this tea is perfectly suited for an afternoon of reflection
- Pot $9.00
- Small Cup $4.50
- Large Cup $4.75
- Loose Per Oz. $9.00
Genmaicha
roasted brown rice and whole leaf japanese green tea are happily married for this classic blend. the toasty, nutty flavor soothes the spirit in colder months and also makes for a gentle iced beverage
- Pot $6.00
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Kaiseiki Hojicha
twigs from the first flush and leaves from latter flushes are lightly roasted to bring you this slightly sweet, rich brew with flavors of chestnut and freshly baked bread. hojicha is an excellent choice to accompany food
- Pot $6.00
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $3.00
Shouhaku Matcha
matcha is a powdered green tea of the highest caliber used in the japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu. it is the unquestionable pinnacle of japanese tea-making. the color of matcha is a deep emerald, and its flavor is intensely vegetal (think wheatgrass) and quite viscous, offering an unrivalled taste sensation. our shouhaku matcha (meaning “pines and oak trees”) is a “thin tea,” (surprisingly, they get even thicker) and is one of the favored teas of renowned urasanke tea sensei hounsai daisosho. matcha is vigorously whisked with a bamboo tool called a “chasen” in a special matcha bowl called a “chawan,” and as such, the portion is small and cannot be made to go
- Chawan (bowl) $5.00
Oolong
olong (pronounced wu-long) is a chinese or taiwanese semi-oxidized tea, spanning perhaps the most diverse spectrum of flavor and body between green and red/black teas. oolong is regarded as the ultimate art form in tea-making in taiwan, which has adopted and perfected the brewing method for it, known as gong fu. the gong fu style of serving tea originated in china, but at some point reached epically proportioned importance in taiwan (formerly formosa, thus the name of many oolongs grown in taiwan). in the gong fu style, very small tea pots made of an especially dense clay called yixing (pronounced ee-shing) are used because the residue or tea oils from the tea more easily accumulate in the pot, seasoning it with the flavor of the one kind of tea reserved for that particular pot.
Baozhong
this light, floral, fruity and softly sweet green oolong is affectionately referred to as “the princess of teas.” the leaf style of this winter harvest taiwanese specialty is twisted as opposed to rolled like many other oolongs, yielding a depth of flavor upon the first steeping that often takes rolled oolongs several steepings to achieve. an elegant, delicate brew that is to be savored like a fine wine – on its own
- Pot $8.00
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.50
- Loose Per Oz. $5.50
Deluxe Ti Kwan Yin
named after an incarnation of the buddhist deity kwan yin, or “the iron goddess of mercy,” ti kwan yin is a family of its own within the oolong style. ranging from straw-colored infusions of delicate quality to robustly roasted and nutty brews, ti kwan yin always somehow retains a unique flavor found in no other kind of tea
- Pot $8.75
- Small Cup $4.50
- Large Cup $4.75
- Loose Per Oz. $8.00
King’s Tea
our darkest, nuttiest oolong, the king’s tea is infused with ginseng, lending its already rich character a sweet finish. it is uncanny: the more you drink, the sweeter the air you inhale becomes. plainly, king’s tea offers an unrivalled flavor sensation, and due to this quality, it is steadfastly pursued by its devotees once they’ve discovered it
- Pot $8.50
- Small Cup $4.50
- Large Cup $4.75
- Loose Per Oz. $7.50
Pu-erh
pu-erh is one of the oldest varieties of tea, originating in the yunnan province of china, the very birthplace of tea, where the first tea plants were discovered in the wild and later cultivated. the truly unique, earthy, mineral-laden flavor of pu-erh belies its definitive smoothness. pu-erh is one of the only teas to undergo an aging process, sometimes even in himalayan caves. during the aging process, a culture is introduced to the tea and over time enzymes develop in the tea, which are purported to be the cause of its digestive properties. when consumed with or after a meal, it has remarkable powers for breaking up oil and fat in the digestive track, not to mention soothing the sting of spice. due to the minimal tannic content in pu-erh, it rarely becomes bitter when steeped for long periods like other tea and is intended to be steeped multiple times. today, pu-erh is a staple in the diets of many people in yunnan, tibet and nepal
Tuocha
a cooked pu-erh that is shaped into small nest-like cakes and wrapped in paper, tuocha is one of the most popular forms of pu-erh – cooked or raw. earthy and smooth. come in for a pot after your next big meal
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $4.00
Golden Pu-erh
a darker and fuller-flavored brew than the tuocha, golden pu-erh is a cooked loose leaf pu-erh exhibiting an earthiness reminiscent of clay. surprisingly smooth, this tea stands up to several steepings
- Pot $6.25
- Small Cup $3.25
- Large Cup $3.50
- Loose Per Oz. $4.50
Chen Nian Ripe Brick, 2002
from meng hai, china, large mature leaves pressed and aged bring about a refinement of tannins that develop more of a sweet taste with the damp aroma indicative to a quality pu-erh. the color is a rich dark burgundy with a taste that is smooth, rich and thick. several brews are recommended and reflect the crispness of fresh forest floor after the rain
- Pot $7.00
- Small Cup $3.75
- Large Cup $4.00
- Loose Per Oz. $4.75
Scented Teas
Earl Grey Royale
the royale is scented with extra bergamot and is comprised of only whole leaf chinese black tea for a high-quality, intoxicating earl grey experience
- Pot $6.50
- Small Cup $3.50
- Large Cup $3.75
- Loose Per Oz. $3.25
Lapsang Souchong
a pine-smoked chinese black tea. despite its powerful flavor, lapsang is lower in caffeine than other black teas
- Pot $5.50
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $2.75
Phoenix Jasmine Pearls
the queen of jasmine. each ball or “pearl” of tea buds is individually hand-rolled! the perfect touch of only the finest jasmine essence will send your senses reeling. an ethereal delight
- Pot $8.00
- Small Cup $4.25
- Large Cup $4.50
- Loose Per Oz. $5.75
Rose Congou Black
a delectable marriage of the floral and earthy. chinese black tea leaves are infused with rose essence and decorated with rose petals resulting in a harmonious blend exhibiting flavors of tobacco, cedar and of course, rose. this blend can stand up to milk and sugar if desired
- Pot $5.50
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $2.50
Yerba Mate
a highly stimulating infusion widely consumed in argentina, chile, paraguay and brazil, yerba mate is traditionally drank from a cuia (cured gourd) through a bombilla (filtered straw) made of metal or wood. due to its lack of tannic content, the leaf is left in the gourd so as to allow multiple steepings and can also be brewed with cold water. the earthy, herbal flavor steadily mellows with each subsequent steeping, though the invigorating effects are only heightened with the passing of each round. traditionally, a gourd full of mate is passed around a group of people many times and the straw is never used to stir the leaf inside the gourd. popular amongst hikers in the andes, yerba mate is known to increase physical endurance, curb the appetite, sharpen the mind, and assist the gallbladder in processing toxins from the body. it contains vitamins a, b1 (thiamine), b2 (riboflavin), c, e and 15 amino acids, along with a high level of antioxidants. yerba mate contains a significant amount of caffeine. we have 3 superb offerings from the world of yerba mate
Organic Brazilian Yerba Mate
our house yerba mate is shade-grown in brazil. it is full-bodied with notes of chocolate and earth and will surely put a spring in your step
- Gourd $6.00
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $2.25
Organic Argentinean Yerba Mate
the argentinean yerba mate is all leaf (no stems here!), which brews up a robust, herbaceous, yet smooth beverage
- Gourd $5.50
- Small Cup $2.75
- Large Cup $3.00
- Loose Per Oz. $2.00
Roasted Argentinean Mate
this version of mate is roasted to a rich chocolate hue, exhibiting aromatics of sweet tobacco and leather that lead into flavors of cacao, toffee and toasted grains. widely popular in brazil as a base to be mixed with fruit juice, this is an earthy, full-bodied beverage that can be enjoyed hot, iced, with or without milk and sweetener. a dark and mysterious diversion for the mate lover
- Gourd $6.00
- Small Cup $3.00
- Large Cup $3.25
- Loose Per Oz. $2.25