Tucked within big name businesses and small town stores lies Cucumber and Chamomile, a charming tea shop inhabiting what used to be Sweet Pierre’s. Cucumber and Chamomile is often met with wanderers on the hunt for their favorite Chocolate Shop, although they tend to find a surprise sweeter than chocolate when stepping inside.  With my first step through the front door, I knew I had stumbled upon something incredible.  Instantly welcomed with the scent of freshly brewed tea and a more than amiable face,  I wondered how it took me so long to find this tea lovers’ haven.

My experience in Cumber and Chamomile was as if I wandered into Alice and Wonderland  with a holistic twist, in that it serves up much more than your average cup of tea.  Meredith, the charming and charismatic owner, is somewhat of a tea connoisseur.  Not only could she eloquently describe the taste of all tea options available, but also the medicinal benefits every individual blend offers.  Whether it be the mint herbal mix to ease your anxiety or the organic gunpowder green tea to boost your metabolism, every cup served is good for the heart as well as the soul.

After taking my time smelling all 40 blends at the sampling station, my nose dragged me towards Lavander Earl Gray.  Next came time to order, while this is often the most simple of steps during the ordering process, just one glance at the menu struck me with worry.  The options for your drink are endless: iced or hot, pot or cup, sugar or honey, frothed or flat, but all my worries were eased when Meredith stepped in to guide me.  At the drop of a hat she was able to suggest the perfect prep for my desired blend: Misto with a spoon full of honey. The groundwork was finally complete, and with a sigh of relief I plopped down in one of the many cozy love seats and colored away the wait in the Cucumber and Chamomile communi-tea coloring book.  After just a few minutes, a cup filled with frothy flavored goodness was brought out with a perfectly warmed cranberry and orange scone that had my mouth watering from first glance.

While Cucumber and Chamomile’s appearance had easily earned a five-star rating, the quality and taste of their product had yet to be determined.  The first sip proved leaving the tough decisions to the expert was the way to go, the milky froth released the calming taste of lavender which was quickly met with the rich warmth of Earl Gray hidden beneath the bubbly white blanket, and the spoon of honey provided a perfectly subtle sweetness.  And while I didn’t think it could possibly be true, the flavor of the tea and scone easily exceeded the charming interior of the shop.  I wouldn’t mind waiting in a dingy, run-down pub that smells of stale smoke as long as this cup of tea was sitting on the table in front of me.

If you couldn’t tell already Cucumber and Chamomile has easily earned a five-star rating in my book.  Every little detail, from the eccentric flavors of  tea, to the vintage chandeliers, all the way down to the pastel painted walls had me feeling as if I had made a trip down the rabbit hole.  If you ever find yourself in Ridgefield make sure to stop on over to this quaint tea shop, where you can sit down, relax,  and sip your worries away.