Baristas at the Scented Leaf Tea House on University Boulevard know their craft and they’re not afraid to share it.
Some customers might not understand the difference between black and herbal teas, or oolong and herbal varieties. Not to worry. Within the spacious, lively tea bar, the baristas run from a deep knowledge that covers fundamental elements to help narrow down to a customer’s perfect drink.
“We ask questions that make sense so that we get to the bottom line,” said owner Shane Barela.
The system works — especially for the Scented Leaf Tea House, which has a database of 500 drinks to satisfy all palates.
People who do not like tea should give the place a try because, Barela added, tea could change your life. He learned this 13 years ago when he first discovered loose-leaf tea in a little shop in Granada, Spain.
There, during his honeymoon, Barela was both grateful to the universe after learning his wife was pregnant and asking for guidance because his perfume business back home was struggling amidst the recession. Seemingly out of nowhere, Barela then followed his gut to literally turn left instead of right. They walked down a little path along a cathedral where he and his wife stumbled across barrels of fragrant, beautiful tea leaves outside a shop built into the cathedral wall. The kind shop owner also educated them about the benefits and robust flavor of loose-leaf tea.
That was the moment Barela became determined to share it with his friends and family back home.
“We’re coming up to our 13th year and two popular locations,” he said. “Now it’s time to see what we can do in other areas.”
Enter the Scented Leaf Tea House and Lounge at 6612 E. Tanque Verde Road, set to open in March. In addition to tea drinks, staff will serve wine on tap and bottled beer, which Barela said he believes tastes best. However, do not look for your ordinary bar experience here.
“We want it to be a place where people can go to that is customer and community-based where people feel welcome across the board,” Barela said.
“It will be a safe environment, where people can have a real experience like they used to back in the day, where you have an interaction with someone with a back-and-forth conversation, so you get a product that makes sense for you and it’s something that you feel happy about when you walk away. So much so that you would come back, or you’d like to tell your friends about it.”
Just like at the University and Congress locations, Scented Leaf baristas will be there to answer questions. Barela likens it to welcoming valued guests into his home.
“I’m very much a person who wants you to feel like you’re at home in my space, in my home and in my business,” he said.
The new location will attract multiple generations. Younger folks can enjoy tea and coffee, while a slightly older clientele can imbibe on the other side.
“We’re going to have 22 taps, which will include tea, coffee, wine and champagne, and bottled beers,” Barela said.
Food will be available for purchase, fresh grab-and-go items from a local bakery and Japanese sandwiches from Fatboy Sandos. Guests should not have to wait for their food, he said.
This new tea house and lounge is in the former Tino’s Pizza, across the street from Trail Dust Town and next to Discount Tire and frequented salons. Barela bought the building, which was in escrow for nearly a year.
Along the way, he has encountered unexpected issues, such as ample parking. Still, he is confident the location will soon be a favorite neighborhood hangout when it opens.
“We’re really happy that we’re next to Discount Tire, as a lot of people want something to do while waiting for their tires,” Barela said.
“We’re hoping that between Trail Dust Town, Golf N’ Stuff, Discount Tire, the title companies, and insurance offices all along (Tanque Verde), this will give us a foundation to build on.”
There’s always coffee, too, but don’t ask for an espresso.
“We never do that,” Barela said. “We’re going to go, ‘I’ve got regular coffee on tap; it’s a Japanese pour-over method… Now when you mix that with Moroccan mint green tea, let’s add some chai, and not a syrup chai, a real chai made with actual tea and spices. Let’s add dark chocolate, a little cream, a little bit of vanilla and sweetness to your level. That’s called a Young Grasshopper. That (drink) blows people away. We want people to think of this place more or less as a drink house.”
Scented Leaf Tea House and Lounge
Main Gate Square
943 E. University Boulevard
308 E. Congress Street
https://www.thescentedleaf.com/
