Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company — The Tea Journal
Six Teas That Bring Happiness
From a honey-kissed Taiwanese oolong to a peppermint-patty mate, these are the cups that turn an ordinary moment into a small celebration.
There's a certain kind of happiness that arrives quietly — not in a grand gesture, but in the curl of steam rising from a freshly poured cup. At Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company, we've spent more than twenty years hunting down teas that reliably deliver that feeling. The six loose-leaf teas gathered here span oolongs, greens, herbals, and a medicinal mushroom blend, but they share one quality: every single one will make you genuinely glad you put the kettle on. Read on to find your next favorite, and discover why so many of our customers call these their everyday mood-lifters.
Tea No. 01
Ancient Beauty Oolong
🧡 Oolong · Taiwan · OrganicSome teas whisper; this one sings. Ancient Beauty is a silver-tipped, large-leaf organic oolong harvested early in the Taiwanese spring, and its character is immediately distinct: a deeply floral perfume that floats up before the cup even reaches your lips, followed by a gentle, honey-like sweetness that lingers long after the last sip. The leaves are spectacular — silvery, whole, and fragrant — and the flavor is noticeably more robust than most oolongs you've tried before.
Steep one generous teaspoon per eight-ounce cup at 190°F for three minutes. Re-steeping is highly encouraged; the second cup is often even more nuanced than the first. Whether you're easing into a Sunday morning or looking for a midday ritual that feels genuinely luxurious, Ancient Beauty delivers that rare combination of elegance and ease.
Tea No. 02
Cherry Blossom Green Tea 🍒
💚 Green Tea · China · OrganicIf you could bottle the feeling of standing under a blooming cherry tree on a warm spring afternoon, it would taste something like this. Cherry Blossom Green Tea is built on a quality organic green base from Hunan Province, China — bright, clean, and grassy in the best way — then masterfully blended with dried cherry pieces, rose petals, and organic fruit extracts for a cup that is aroma-rich and naturally sweet without a gram of added sugar.
It's equally wonderful hot or over ice, which makes it one of the most versatile teas in this list. Reviewers have called it "amazing and fresh," and with 100% five-star ratings, it has yet to disappoint a single customer. Brew at 170°F for just two minutes to protect the delicate floral notes. This is the tea you reach for when you want life to feel a little more beautiful.
Tea No. 03
Mint Kiss Yerba Mate Tea 🧉
💙 Herbal · Brazil · Organic · CaffeinatedHappiness sometimes looks like a peppermint patty in a teacup. Mint Kiss Mate is exactly that — a bright, chocolaty, naturally caffeinated brew made from fair-trade Brazilian yerba mate, organic peppermint leaf, roasted cacao nibs, roasted carob, vanilla beans, and cacao powder. The result is a crisp, minty, genuinely indulgent cup with a pleasantly earthy finish, zero sugar, and just enough energy to carry you through the afternoon.
It works beautifully on its own, and many customers enjoy it with a splash of milk or a non-dairy alternative to round out the chocolate notes. Whether you need an after-dinner treat that won't derail your evening or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up that feels like a reward, Mint Kiss Mate makes the case that healthy and delicious are not mutually exclusive.
Tea No. 04
Reishi Chaga Mushroom Tea 🍄
🍄 Mushroom Tea · USA · Caffeine FreeHappiness isn't only about pleasure — it's also about feeling well. The Reishi Chaga Mushroom Tea is Sullivan Street's deep-wellness offering, pairing domestic chaga mushroom and organically grown reishi mushroom with roasted carob, elderberries, and soothing red rooibos. The flavor profile is earthy, warming, and nutty, with a rich berry undertone that makes it genuinely satisfying to sip. One customer described it perfectly: "earthy, warming, and wholesome."
This is a long-steep tea — let it simmer gently at 185–210°F for up to 20 full minutes to fully draw out the mushrooms' depth and any wellness benefits. Caffeine-free and naturally comforting, it's become a beloved evening ritual for tea drinkers who want a cup that does something meaningful. A touch of local honey complements the carob beautifully if you like a hint of sweetness.
Tea No. 05
Serendipity Blend 🌼
💙 Herbal · Organic · Caffeine FreeThe name says it all. Serendipity is the tea you happen upon when you weren't quite sure what you were looking for — and discover it was exactly right. This caffeine-free organic blend brings together spearmint, rosehips, peppermint, orange peel, lemongrass, raspberry leaf, and a whisper of cinnamon into something sweet, spicy, and genuinely refreshing. It has a summery brightness that makes it feel celebratory even at seven in the morning.
Customers from Texas rave about it as the ultimate iced tea — and it truly excels cold-brewed or over ice. Brewed hot, it's smooth and layered, with the citrus and mint singing upfront and the cinnamon providing a warm, grounding finish. With six reviews and a perfect five-star average, it's earned its reputation as a permanent fixture in tea collections. This is the blend you make when you want to feel like you're on a long, happy afternoon with nowhere to be.
Tea No. 06
Blackberry Sage Oolong Tea
🧡 Oolong · Taiwan · Seasonal - CaffeinatedThis one surprises people — in the very best way. An earthy, smooth Taiwanese oolong forms the backbone, while sweet blackberry and raspberry flavors wrap around it and a touch of sage leaf finishes the cup with a savory, herbal flourish. It sounds like an unusual combination; it tastes like it was always meant to be together. One reviewer called it "smooth oolong with a hint of blackberry and sage... so delicious with a hint of sweetness" — no additions needed, just water.
As a limited seasonal selection, Blackberry Sage Oolong rewards those who discover it. It's exceptional over ice — the berry notes deepen and the sage becomes even more aromatic when cold — making it one of the most distinctive iced teas you'll encounter this season. Steep at 190°F for three minutes, and don't skip the re-steep: the second cup develops a quieter, more complex character that's entirely worth the extra wait.
The beauty of a collection like this is that happiness in a teacup takes many forms. Some days you need the meditative calm of a long-steeped mushroom brew. Others call for the bright, springtime joy of a floral green or a sparkling iced herbal. And sometimes — often, honestly — you just want something that tastes like a chocolate peppermint patty and gently keeps you going through the afternoon. Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company has spent over twenty years selecting teas with personal relationships and picky taste buds, and every one of these six is here because it reliably makes people happy. Pick one, put the kettle on, and see for yourself.
