LEWISTON — A unique business has opened its doors downtown and it’s likely a first in the area.
Fifth Pillar Tea House has only been open a week, so owner Meg Giossi and employee and friend Cassie Ashton-Griffin invite you to come in and check them out at 191 Lisbon St., for a cup of hot or iced tea and maybe even a little nibble.
While many Americans reach for a cup of coffee or two every day, tea is the most consumed beverage around the world after water, with consumption records dating back 5,000 years in China.
The medical and scientific community largely agree that tea is good for your health because it is packed with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that are touted for lowering the risks from heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
All teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, and if you appreciate fine tea or even if you’re curious, Fifth Pillar Tea House is a stop that you might want to make.
“I feel like a lot of our customers are super curious,” Giossi said. “We’ve been giving out some samples of things as people are hanging out so we can kind of talk, especially about traditional teas.”
The four pillars of health — nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management — have long been the foundation for holistic wellness. The fifth pillar is community, and why Giossi chose the name for her business.
Hanging out is part of the culture and vibe that Fifth Pillar wants to cultivate. So, they’ve created a relaxed atmosphere with a combination of table seating, lounge chairs, couches and a low table with pillows.
Giossi is a trained herbalist who worked at the former Dobrá Tea in Portland. Already have about three dozen teas to choose from.
On the hot tea menu you can choose from botanical blends like Bear Hug, Afternoon Delight, or Gut Instinct — a blend of anise, fennel, licorice root, dandelion root and ginger.
On the cold side, there’s Peppermint Chiller — a blend of peppermint and green tea, Glow Up, or even Heavy Metal. These are only a few of the offerings, which include selections of green, oolong, black and white teas.
The tea baristas blend their own herbal teas and are happy to explain how they do it.
A local home bakery in Auburn, Cozy Fox Bakery, is their source for macarons, cookies and scones, but for now the emphasis is on getting acquainted with tea.
“One of our pillars for the business is that we try to give back,” Giossi explained. “We have a rotating community blend that we develop with different organizations and the profits of each of those goes to that group.”
This month that group is Foster Care of Maine and the “Communi-tea” blend is hibiscus blueberry iced tea.
Fifth Pillar Tea House hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Giossi said she is also considering extending evening hours at least one day for late-night tea and hosting high tea and similar events in the near future.
For now, Fifth Pillar is on Instagram, but also plans to add a Facebook page.
The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings. Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or [email protected]
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