The Tiny Tea Press

A few weeks ago, my friend Deberah came into the office with the neatest tea gadget I've seen in a while, a Citizen's Travel Press from Republic of Tea. It was just like the Bodum travel presses many of us use for steeping tea on the go (and this one is by Bodum as well), but it was small, just big enough for a single six-ounce cup of tea.

Did you read the front of it? "Sip by sip rather than gulp by gulp." Gotta love it. Where'd she get it? I wanted to know. Whole Foods, it so happens, was the source. But of course! She is a frequent Whole Foods shopper, and I would be if I were near one more often. The first time I visited one several years ago, I was just overwhelmed by the fresh fruits and veggies, the biggest shrimp I've ever seen in my life, and a tea selection that was just incredible. It was a while, though, before I would fully "get" the Whole Foods concept. I was in Atlanta one afternoon last fall and developed a headache but had a few hours to go before an event in the city that night. I thought I'd pop into Whole Foods for a bottle of Advil. When I couldn't find any, I searched out a sales clerk and politely said, "Excuse me, where is the Advil?" She rose to her full seven-foot height, adjusted her eyeglasses so she could glare at me over them, and said, "We don't SELL that," perhaps just the teensiest bit haughtily. It was as if I'd asked her to please direct me to the crack aisle. Instead, she showed me to the shelves where they had some $10 Advil-substitute. I thanked her, opted for a fruit tart from the bakery instead, and made it through the evening just fine.

But I digress! My point is, my friend was back at Whole Foods recently and surprised me with one of these great little travel presses of my own! After she gave it to me, I confessed I've been visiting the Republic of Tea web site and STILL haven't seen this item listed, so I'm extra grateful for the thoughtful gift.