If you love tea, you'll find a secret paradise in the unlikely surrounds of Stockport. Taking the shape of a cafe, shop and blending bar, Himalayas Tea shop offers connoisseurs the chance to mix their own blends, buy tea to take home, or simply take a few minutes out of their day to relax with a cuppa. The big idea is to explore some of the teas and flavours we currently don't see much of around the UK. While tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the whole world, flavoured and intricately blended teas remain something of a niche product. In store you'll find teas which range in price as well as unusual shakes and cake, all made with real tea. There's a monthly "Basic Tea Tasting Session" too - which sounds a bit more luxurious than basic to us - which sees groups of eight people, tasting up to 10 different blends such as Belgian Chocolate and Assam Pomegranate. A greatest tea hits if you like. The shop has an extensive online shop as well - and we particularly like the look of this glass tea set for two, with two 'double walled' thus insulated glass tea cups to share. An ideal last minute Christmas gift.
Himalayas Tea, 2A Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1 PR. Tel: 0161 6374051. www.himalayastea.com