Meet Michele — Founder & Tea Curator
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Loose leaf tea, curated by a tea specialist with more than 20 years of experience. My Tea JourneyMy love for tea began in 2004 — first in a social context with friends and as a quiet daily ritual, then as a genuine fascination with everything behind the cup: where it’s grown, how it’s processed, and the small choices in each step that turn a leaf into a flavor. That curiosity led me to formal training through the Specialty Tea Institute, where I earned certifications in the areas of Black, Green, Yellow, White & Oolong teas. I then put that training to work in tea shops across the country as my husband’s career moved us from place to place. Each shop taught me something different. In 2016, I joined English Tealeaves in Parker, Colorado, where I spent the next decade in roles that brought together both sides of what I love about tea. I taught educational seminars for customers and community members, sharing the stories and science behind every category. And I managed our supplier relationships and inventory — tasting, sourcing, and selecting the teas that filled our shelves. When English Tealeaves closed its doors, I knew I wasn’t done. Tea Journeys Colorado is the next chapter. How I Choose TeasEvery tea on this site has been personally tasted and approved by me before it earns a spot in the catalog. My selection process rests on three principles: • Curated suppliers. I work with a small, trusted list of suppliers built over years of relationships and extensive tastings. I don’t shop the cheapest bulk options — I shop the people I trust. • Quality before novelty. A tea has to be genuinely well-made to earn a place in the shop. Pretty packaging and trendy names don’t impress me. • Breadth over specialty. I don’t specialize in any single category. I want you to be able to find a beautiful black, green, oolong, white, herbal, or pu-erh tea here — all chosen with the same standards. If a tea doesn’t excite me, it doesn’t make the catalog. It’s that simple. About Tea Journeys ColoradoTea Journeys Colorado is a one-person ecommerce tea shop based in Parker, Colorado. The shop is online only — there’s no physical storefront — but every order is fulfilled personally by me. I ship anywhere in the United States, and orders of $70 or more ship free. If you’re local to Parker or the Denver metro area, I also host private tea tastings for community groups, public libraries, book clubs, and individuals. These are guided sessions through different tea categories — perfect for friends’ gatherings, library programs, or anyone curious to learn more about tea. If you’d like to arrange one, send me a note through the Contact page and we’ll plan it together. A Note From MeAfter more than 20 years working with tea — tasting, teaching, curating, and quietly being amazed by it — what I love most is helping someone find the cup they didn’t know they were looking for. If you’re not sure where to start, send me a note. I’d love to hear what you already drink, what you’ve always wondered about, and what kind of moment you want your tea to fit into. Welcome to Tea Journeys Colorado. I’m glad you’re here. — Michele |