PHOTOS BY TODD COOPER
CHOW! FALL 2010
more of a grab-and-go type of atmosphere.
Chamberlain will focus on three types
of tea: hot tea, cold-infused iced tea and
bubble tea. The Taiwanese bubble tea is
not the same as the sticky-sweet beverages
Americans typically think of. He explains
that “bubble tea” refers not to the tapioca
pearls inside the drink, but to the layer of
frothy bubbles on top of the tea that form
when the tea is shaken. These will be
completely handmade, with fresh tapioca
pearls. Prices will vary based on your
desired tea experience. A basic cup of tea
runs from $1.50-$2.50, a middle variety
around $5 and a rare tea in limited
production will cost $15.
Tea drinkers can also enjoy events like
Chinese language nights, tea tastings,
classes and outdoor kung fu movie nights.
Most importantly, Chamberlain’s goal
in bringing tea to the Eugene community is
to introduce people to what tea should
taste like. Since most people don’t have
the tools and don’t know how to brew tea
correctly, they’ve likely never had a true
cup of tea, he says. The art of tea is
complex, and Chamberlain himself is still
exploring. “This is a learning process. I
take it one step at a time.” ■
J-Tea Teahouse, 2778 Friendly St. 258-8997.
www.jteainternational.com
RETHINKING TEA
When a beverage becomes a form of art
I
’ve always considered myself a coffee
person, but when Josh Chamberlain
of J-Tea presented me with a sampler
of three tea varieties, I realized how
little I knew about tea. Chamberlain
described each as you would describe
a fi ne wine, specifying the year and the
region where each plant was harvested.
One tasted fresh, with a distinct hint of
artichoke. Another had more of a mellow,
roasted fl avor. Says Chamberlain, “Tea
isn’t well-known in this culture. That’s one
of the biggest barriers I face.”
J-Tea is a small company that imports
tea directly from Taiwan. In mid-
BY CATHERINE FOSS
September, Chamberlain will open the
J-Tea Tearoom. Chamberlain’s brother,
Ben Waechter, designed the space, which
used to be just a regular house. Soon, the
storefront, where Chamberlain has
operated his retail tea shop since August
of 2007, will become an inviting
atmosphere where Eugeneans can sample
rare teas and purchase their favorite
loose-leaf varieties. But don’t start
picturing a cozy coffeehouse where you
can bring a good book. “It’s not what
people are going to expect,” Chamberlain
says. The tearoom is modeled after an
Italian-style espresso bar and will have
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YOU PREPARE AT HOME,
FIND COUSIN JACK’S AT:
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www.cousinjackspasty.com | 541-686-3211
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CHOW! SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 3