October 15, 2011
Now this is how I like to spend Friday afternoons. Never mind the black skies and pouring rain outside. We're safe in here, inside Bellocq Tea Atelier. Lisa and I met the proprietors - Michael and Heidi, at the 2011 International Gift Show earlier this summer. We've been meaning to stop by their Greenpoint Tea Atelier ever since.
The design of this space makes for a gorgeous apartment, and they didn't forget a single detail be it fresh oranges or cardamom pods. Both welcoming and soothing. Elegant, no doubt. Composed of two rooms - one for private tastings (complete with a pale pink couch) and another for retail, where you can also taste before selecting a tea.
And that we sure did, sipping cup after cup of tea. I lost track of how many we tried, but we spent nearly two hours there, learning so much. There was
Dragonwell from Zhejian Province in China. A
Siam Basil Lemongrass.
Hindu Holiday - like chai meets South African rooibos. And the
White Wolf, almost masculine with notes of cedar and black currant. They certainly know how to do it in style at Bellocq.
We went home with a pouch each of
No. 12, Le Hammeau. I wish I could transmit the scent of this tea over the internet! But you'll have to count on words and imagination.
Organic lemongrass meets lemon verbena, chamomile, lavender,
rose petals, mint, and sage. My favorite herbs and scents tucked tidy into a tisane. Am back home, and it's still raining. Cheese plate for nibbles - don't forget toasted walnuts, dinner delivered soon. Kettle on for a pot of Le Hammeau and a good movie for tonight.
P.S. Paulie Gee's is just two blocks away from Bellocq, so stop there for an unforgettable pizza (dinner only) after visiting the tea atelier!
Bellocq Tea Atelier
104 West Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
1 (800) 495-5416
(Open Friday + Saturday 12-7pm)
October 04, 2011
Bellocq Tea Atelier in Brooklyn is OPEN!!!
Shop Hours: Each Friday and Saturday 12-7pm
Address: 104 West Street (at Kent Street) Greenpoint, NY 11222
Transit: G Train (Greenpoint Ave stop) or East River Ferry (India St stop)
East River Ferry is a quick and enjoyable trip from E. 34th Street in Manhattan.
Love to see you!
August 15, 2011
A few weeks back, the Haven’s Kitchen team took a field trip out of the balmy summer rain and into the dreamy workshop of Bellocq Tea Atelier in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Bellocq founders Heidi Johannsen Stewart and Michael Shannon welcomed us inside and immediately, we were taken by the warmth and beauty of the atelier. The unfinished wood floors and bold eggplant walls, offset by bright yellow tea canisters, made for a warm and tranquil setting to taste an elegant selection of Bellocq teas.
Heidi and Michael shared their story as we began a tasting of carefully blended teas. They told us how the atelier was born of sophisticated taste, an appreciation for producers and authentic products, and a love of fine teas. We smelled the various blends — inhaling deeply, we swooned over the intoxicating bouquets of beautifully rolled leaves, flecked with colorful herbs and flower petals.
We sampled a range of teas, expertly brewed for us at optimal temperatures, starting with Bellocq Breakfast, a blend of three black tea leaves. Heidi and Michael explained tasting notes and weighed in on which teas would benefit from milk or honey, which would pair well with a triple creme cheese, or which would gracefully finish a late evening meal. We then tasted two different chai blends — an intensely warm combination of red poppy flowers, green cardamon, star anise, ginger, clove and black pepper, and another more floral, summer blend of South African rooibos, cardamon, and ginger with rose, jasmine and marigold petals.
Among my favorites were lighter blends with floral and herbal components, like Siam Basil Lemongrass and Etoile de l’Inde — a tropical blend of organic green tea, passion-fruit, rose and marigold — unsurprising for an avid consumer of tropical-fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc. An overall HK favorite was The Queen’s Guard, an aromatic blend of black tea, rose, and lavender, inspired by English gardens.
From the selection of Bakeri pastries on the communal tasting table, to the elegant packaging of bulk teas and tea samplers alike, the Bellocq Tea Atelier exuded elegance, sophistication, warmth, and sharing. We left the workshop feeling so inspired by the beauty of Heidi’s blends and the opportunity to share them at Haven’s Kitchen, that we almost didn’t mind the rain.
June 17, 2011
Hungry Ghost
food + travel
Little Dickens - 06.12
I stopped to see my friend, Heidi Johannsen Stewart, and one of her three partners, Michael Shannon, tea proprietors of the wildly gorgeous and successful line of artisan teas Bellocq at the New Amsterdam Market last Sunday. I picked up three of their irresistable teas. No. 18, Afghani Chai, a black assam tea with organic red poppy flowers, green cardamon, star anise, ginger, clove and black pepper. It had been on my mind since a cold winter day at the market when they were handing out samples. I had become somewhat obsessed with it. I also picked up what they were calling their "summertime chai", a little lighter than the Afghani Chai and caffeine free. It is called Hindu Holiday. It is a rooibos based chai, caffeine free with cardamom, fragrant cassia, spicy ginger rose, jasmine and marigold petals.
I was, however, most intrigued by the tea called Little Dickens. Little Dickens, was lovingly created by Heidi and her son. It is full of all kinds of things that kids love. Like Hindu Holiday, it too is rooibos based and caffeine free. A few of the ingredients in Little Dickens are ginger, cinnamon, mint, chocolate, marigold and a little rose. Steep it, then add a little milk and honey.
Heidi feels that scent and flavor not only bring back forgotten memories, but that they also enrich the present. "Great teas can be powerful conduit to unite life's precious moments." I couldn't agree more. Many of my strongest memories are attached to taste and smell. So I decided to pick up some tea to share with my sweet little friend Odette, who just became a big sister this past week. Odette is no stranger to tea drinking, but part of me just wants to hear her tell me all about Little Dickens and what is in it. She is at the amazing, curious and talkative age of three. Having her own tea, like her mom does, will make her feel very grown up. It will be a nice way to make her feel special in these new and sometimes confusing post baby days.
I am upstate and all is quiet except for the crazy morning birds. I think it is the perfect moment to sit on the porch and have a cup of tea.
Look for Belloq's new atelier at 37 Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn, coming very soon!
You can order Bellocq's teas online at: http://www.bellocq.com/
Bellocq's founders, Heidi Johannsen Stewart, Michael Shannon, Young Yoon and Scott Stewart joined creative forces with a desire to collaborate on a shared aesthetic vision, an appreciation of traditional artisan production and a passion for tea.
Original Post:
http://www.hungryghostfoodandtravel.com/new/2011/6/12/little-dickens.html
Andrea that is a Beautiful Article! Thank you.
April 18, 2011
You may have seen these fab teas either here or there, but as an avid tea drinker/lover/obsessive, I couldn’t resist adding on to the story. How gorgeous is the Bellocq Tea Atelier collection of teas and tea accessories? Hand-crafted tea blends curated from fresh, full leaf organic teas. And their accessories are absolutely lovely enough to stand on their own, don’t you think?
http://www.simoneleblanc.com/blog/2011/04/05/bellocq-tea-atelier/
Thank you Simone LeBlanc!
March 20, 2011
Bellocq offers a unique and evocative line of hand-crafted blends and a curated selection of fresh, full leaf, organic teas.
“Tea should be an affordable, everyday luxury,” according to proprietor Heidi Johannsen Stewart, a former Martha Stewart Living editor, stylist and columnist. “Bellocq’s sophisticated approach to flavor and fragrance is tailored to a well educated, stylish, and sophisticated customer. Our company is reinvent the tea business to suit the needs and desires of the modern customer. We cultivate genuine, enriching relationships with our clients. Bellocq shares beautiful teas and often our clients share their beautiful tea stories. Scent and flavor bring back forgotten memories and they enrich the present. Great teas are a powerful conduit to unite life’s precious moments.”
Bellocq Tea in Chelsea, West London
March 15, 2011
Bellocq Tea Atelier had a short run on King's Road in London before losing its lease; however, the owners are opening a new atelier at 37 Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn (and are seeking a new location in London). Founders Heidi Johannsen Stewart, Michael Shannon, Young Yoon, and Scott Stewart (among them they have worked at Anthropologie, Martha Stewart, and SAAW in the Upper Hudson) "joined creative forces with a desire to collaborate on a shared aesthetic, an appreciation of traditional artisan production, and a passion for tea."
The interior embodies an apothecary feel; think Mariage Freres in the Marais (only far less Moliere and much more Dalai Lama), with small, perfectly composed, Zen-like vignettes. The founders do everything themselves—from the crafting of the tea to the plastering of the walls and the design of the furniture and the packaging. Expect the same handcrafted feeling in the new Brooklyn location, which features reclaimed flooring, deep aubergine plastered walls, plus a few aesthetic surprises; stay tuned for an opening date.
Above: "One of the many creative window displays in the King's Road Atelier."
Thank you Sarah and Remodelista! We love your Blog!
http://remodelista.com
March 12, 2011
Chef and James Beard Foundation Award Winner Marc Vetri has selected Bellocq Teas for his new menu at his namesake Vetri Restaurant. Marc is currently a semi finalist for three JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION AWARDS and two of those are for Vetri in Philadelphia. Marc's award nominations are for: OUTSTANDING SERVICE and OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT.
Vetri's newest restaurant Amis is also up for a JBF Award for BEST NEW RESTAURANT.
After visiting with Marc and his outstanding team we suggest they receive all three awards! Lovely service from a remarkably welcoming, well trained staff and the new menu is truly PERFECT!
Bellocq Teas are honored to be selected as part of the Vetri experience.
March 02, 2011
"The best remedy for a chilly winter afternoon is a good old-fashioned brew and this cosy (choose between striped cotton and decadent fur) is perfect for keeping things toasty."
Fur/cotton tea cosy, £60, Bellocq (bellocq.com)
Thank you British Elle Decor for recognizing our heat conservation efforts.
February 10, 2011
Bellocq will be a center piece in upscale boutiques (to quote Hollister Hovey).
Winter 2011 Accent on Design® Bloggers' Choice Awards
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Bloggers Choice Awards
Bloggers selected one product from 200+ companies participating in the juried Accent on Design, which, in their estimation, was most representative of the "next big thing." Urgent, odd and delightful design were among key criteria considered by the judges.
Hollister Hovey, HollisterHovey.blogspot.com:
Bellocq Teas by Bellocq, Ltd. (Brooklyn, NY)
“The package design is traditional yet completely modern. The teas could be used over and over as key kitchen accessories. They will be a center piece in upscale boutiques. The yellow seems like a classic a là Hermès orange.”
http://www.nyigf.com/TheShow/AwardsandPromotions/W10AoDBloggersChoiceAwards.aspx
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