The Sumner Public Library hosted Tea Madame Tea Shop owner LaDonna Olmstead for a public class on the wide world of loose-leaf teas.

Olmstead, with the help of her husband and business owner, Tim, entertained attendees with 5,000 years of loose-leaf tea history condensed into one hour.

She introduced 12 different caffeinated and non-caffeinated loose-leaf teas from China, India, Argentina and South Africa.

“I enjoy loose-leaf teas for its superior taste and health properties, and knowing that it was grown and processed to preserve the integrity of the leaf and the historic value,” Olmstead said.

Olmstead likes loose-leaf teas rather than bagged teas that are commonly found in chain grocery stores. She said tea bags are sort of the fast food of tea.

She told the library group that countries that grow tea quickly do it all for the sake of mass amounts of production.

“It’s for simplicity,” Tim Olmstead said.

Connie Moore and her daughter, Gretchen Melton, regulars at LaDonna’s tea shop in Sumner, said they are both fascinated with the history of loose-leaf teas.

“Once you start drinking loose-leaf teas, it’s hard to go back to bagged teas,” Melton said.

The Olmsteads purchased the Tea Madame Tea Shop in March 2006. It has been a tea shop under the same name since June 2004.

The shop, a 450-square-foot converted garage space, is located at the Windmill Gardens on East Main in Sumner. A side wall is lined with three to four levels of loose-leaf teas in silver canisters. Teas are sold by the ounce and start at $2.25.

About 120 varieties of loose-leaf teas from 40 different countries are available throughout the year.

Tim said he and his wife sell about 350 pounds of tea each month. The couple takes their teas to annual events, such as the Tacoma Holiday Show, the Puyallup Farmers Market and Puyallup’s Victorian Country Christmas.

LaDonna is certified by the Specialty Tea Institute. A self-proclaimed “foodie,” she worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years before she owned the tea shop.

Tim is a professional chef.

“I like to know as much as possible (about loose-leaf tea),” LaDonna said. “I can learn forever. I will never be a tea master.”

LaDonna said she receives her loose-leaf tea from 27 different sources. Depending on the time of year and the source, shipments can take up to six to eight weeks.

LaDonna said she orders well in advance.

What’s wonderful and extraordinary about loose-leaf teas, LaDonna said, is the fact that it’s evolving all the time. The same tea you may have tasted last year could taste much different the following year because the taste depends on the climate, temperature and landscape conditions within each region, she said.

“It’s completely live and changing,” she said.

Tea Madame

The Tea Madame Tea Shop is located at 16009 60th St. E., Suite D, in Sumner. For more information about an expanded list of loose-leaf classes offered at the shop, visit www.tea-madame.com. The shop’s phone number is 253-891-2900.

Reach Sumner reporter Andrew Fickes at 253-841-2481 Ext. 313 or email at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com.