THOSE OF US who make a living doing what we love are truly blessed. My life was transformed in 2003 when I embarked on the path of tea and founded TAY TEA. I was living and working full time in NYC, but dreamed of the green stillness of the Catskills and knew one day I would settle here. And so I did in 2005, first part time and now a full time resident. Telling my story through the culture of tea is a passion and also part of my personal history. Tea and hospitality are one and the same, and a big part of my Persian heritage. Because I believe tea is not just a beverage but an experience I wanted to have a space that was calm, beautiful and an oasis where people would always feel welcome to drift in and drink tea. Our current storefront is a combination tea shop, atelier and showroom showcasing our locally blended artisan teas. It is located on Main Street in Delhi, New York. Pure Catskills is one of our most cherished sources of connection and community. Through them we’ve found

many local growers and makers whom we collaborate with to create our tea blends. Tay Tea can be purchased on our website taytea.com, at our shop in Delhi, as well as in many specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants in upstate New York and across the country. “We drink tea to forget the noise of the world”

159 Main Street, Delhi, NY • (607) 746-6086 • taytea.com • see listing page 21

—Nini Ordoubadi