The Talking Tea Cup: Pouring Your Way to a Better Day

Kathy Heck named her tearoom, The Talking Tea Cup on Butler Road in Chalfont, after a children’s story, The Little Teacup That Talked, which offers readers elegant encouragement and inspiration.

The tearoom it inspired does the same for tea aficionados and amateurs alike. It is in a 250-year-old farmhouse that hosts spirit restoration and palate satisfaction, just what I needed when I arrived during a busy lunch on a Friday afternoon.

I glanced around the room at ladies (and some gents) catching up over a cup as the midday sun gleamed in.  They ran the gamut of ages from seven to 70 as well as my three- and four-year-old nephews who accompanied me.

The main tea room is furnished with tables and mismatched country chairs that give it a warm feel. A fireplace sits in the room and flourishes of folk art and antiques complete the cozy environment. In warmer weather, tea can be taken on the patio adjacent to Heck’s immaculately maintained garden.

Tea time!

I went for the High Tea Scones with preserves and Devonshire cream, a cup of soup, which was tomato bisque that day, assorted tea sandwiches, a variety of sweets and a pot of Earl Grey de la crème- the classic bergamot-laced tea with a hint of vanilla and cream.
Heck apparently has a knack for food science.  She knew to cut the acidity of the tomatoes in the bisque with cinnamon bread.

The sandwiches were a surprise mélange of meat and veggies. Artichoke parmesan on white and wheat, cranberry cream sandwiched between teapot-shaped wheat bread. Rosemary chicken salad on flat bread, apricot honey mustard and ham on cinnamon raisin bread.  Peanut butter and jelly plus ham and cheese are available as part of the children’s tea. 

We thought crust-cut-off triangles of peanut butter and jelly would make my nephew’s day, but the palate of a future foodie was actually smitten with the cucumber dill sandwiches.  I wasn’t surprised that he almost ate his dessert before his sandwich. He couldn’t have been any cuter than when he said, “Everything looks so good, Mommy. I don’t know where to start.”

All the goodies are served on dishes Heck procured through the years, staying within the hodgepodge motif that runs the green gradient from sage to mint and the pink from carnation to cranberry.

She researched a number of tearooms, including ones in England, before buying the farmhouse in 2003. It should come as no surprise that Heck chose a location that was as rich in history as the taking of tea itself. The property was part of the original land grant issued to William Penn and was owned by Andrew Hamilton at one time before passing into Heck’s able hands.
 
A gift shop was mandatory.  You’ll probably not be able to leave without picking up the tea you enjoyed so during lunch, or a book on tea traditions. She wanted the tearoom to have a country ambience, so the young ones could feel like they were taking a trip to grammy’s. This makes the Talking Tea Cup a perfect destination for mothers, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters. Taking in a bit of old-world charm while indulging in customs long-since faded in this country is the perfect way to show mom how appreciated she still is.

It could also be good for her.

Black, White, Green, Red 

Tea is consumed more than any other beverage in the world. The leaves are renowned for their health benefits. The menu briefly educates you on said benefits. White tea – the menu states is the most delicate of all tea — is recognized in cancer prevention, detoxification, and complexion care.  Rooibos, or red tea is caffeine-free and known to improve digestion and help with allergies. Green tea, arguably the most visible tea on the health front lately, is reported to aid in a host of areas. Everything from lowering blood pressure to burning extra calories has been attributed to these leaves in various studies.

The quaint upstairs can host birthday parties, book clubs and other events. The room is a perfect alternative for events such as baby showers, wedding showers, or bachelorette parties.

And let’s not forget the tikes. For a reasonable $145, the Talking Tea Cup will host a party for ten children. The children can get gussied up in their fancy best in the dress-up room, sample child-friendly teas, paint their nails, decorate cookies, play games, and learn a little bit about the history of tea.

Heck continues to attend educational seminars on specialty teas so she can return to her own tearoom and share her new knowledge. Heck’s instructional techniques are so well-known that the chain shop up the street, a Starbucks, sent their baristas over for an education.

Heck draws many parallels between tea and wine.  Tea drinkers can pair tea with their food just as they would a glass of wine or beer.  For instance, try the chocolate cream tea when the black and white mini cheesecake is served for dessert.

As I am a sucker for sustainability in business practices, I was tickled upon learning that the Talking Tea Cup is a green business. Kathy’s got her spoon greased in the kitchen, but her thumb is green in the garden.  When the season allows, she has a 20’ by 40’ garden where she grows her own vegetables for soups, salads and sandwiches.

“Mother’s day is undoubtedly the tearoom’s busiest day,” says Heck. They do take reservations and they are recommended. Whether you’re just looking to unwind, trying to recapture a little taste of years gone by, or getting together with the ladies, the Talking Tea Cup will provide a welcoming environment to enjoy the magic and ceremony of one of the world’s most popular beverage.

Story by Suzanne Woods