Where to Enjoy Tea Time In Victoria, British Columbia

There’s a protocol to tasting tea’s delicate flavors, much like with wine. To begin, look at the tea’s color or “liquor.” An orange color indicates black or rooibos tea. The oxidized leaves contain more beta-carotene, which explains the orange color. By contrast, green tea is a golden or straw color when brewed. The tea should smell floral or fruity, with a nice sparkle and translucent tone. A cloudy cup of tea indicates poor quality.
Upon first taste, hold the tea in your mouth and breathe in and out through your nose a couple of times to better appreciate the delicate aromas. There’s no need to swirl or chew on the tea like you might with a juicy red wine.

Where to Stay
is a Forbes four-star boutique hotel just a few blocks from the water and popular Government Street. The central location and personalized service make Magnolia a quaint home away from home. When my Harbour Air flight couldn’t take off due to poor visibility, they were so helpful in rebooking me on an Air Canada flight and arranging for transportation to the airport, alleviating the stress and uncertainty of the travel delay.
This spring, the lobby got a design update from Victoria-based designer Sandy Nygaard, including a lively hand-drawn magnolia flower design carpet. Magnolia’s concierge team has crafted a dozen curated maps of Victoria for various interests from craft beer to haunted history. Naturally, there’s a great tea trail too.
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