Capital Teas

DO NOT SHOP AT CAPITAL TEAS! IF I COULD GIVE THEM ZERO STARS, I WOULD. They are SUPER pushy, aggressive, and dishonest salespeople. The tea is outrageously EXPENSIVE. The salesman rang through a purchase I did not want to make and then said I could not return it. I tried to get this rectified through their headquarters and found out that this is a top-​down problem. Capital Teas management is not interested in retaining relationships with customers. They must train their salespeople to do WHATEVER it takes to make as big a sale as possible and then hide behind the worst return policy of any store I have ever been to. Save your wallet, save yourself. There are plenty of other places to buy tea and this place does not deserve to be open. If I had the time, I would stand outside the store with a sign to warn any person considering going into the store.

DO NOT PURCHASE YOUR TEAS FROM CAPITAL TEAS… I visited the Annapolis Mall location on opening day… Of course the store staff was pushy and aggressive, that is expected… Here is the problem — during their UP-​SALE sales pitch, I was told that if I didn’t like the rock sugar I purchased with the tea I could return it… This in NOT their return policy… I learned the hard way — I tried to return or exchange the $ 25.00 rock sugar but was told I couldn’t… It is sad that the salesperson used DECEIT to make sale… I loved the tea but won’t be purchasing there again because of the deceit and return/​exchange policy… BUYER BEWARE!
Order online — the prices are cheaper…

Very nice store in downtown old Annapolis. When you walk in the aroma of various teas hits you … Instantly transporting your senses to tea nirvana. I could live in that short, instant, state forever …
They offer tea samples of several different blends. The two I tried were both good but not my cup of tea … Ha ha ha …
If your ever visiting old town Annapolis, you should stop by.

Went in thinking, «I might find something my boyfriend’s mom will like…» and walked out counting down the days until Christmas so I can give it to her. (No, I am not so materialistic that I do my shopping in September, I’m moving abroad for work and don’t want to pay for shipping for all my Annapolis gifts).
Walked into this beautifully minimalist, fragrant, well-​displayed store to meet Kyle and Jake, who were wonderfully well-​spoken and knowledgeable about the teas. I had a $ 40 budget in mind, and they respected it while also suggesting an array of well-​selected products for the future. On that — somehow, Capital Teas offers the best of the best tea and accessories (Chinese cast iron pots, Italian tea bag spoons, local honey sticks) but at really reasonable prices.
Truth be told, Capital Teas makes Teavana look like TeaWalmart, but is somehow less expensive than Teavana. Don’t ask me how that works, just go to Capital Teas and see for yourself.
I cannot remember the last time that I had such respectful, top-​notch service for something as simple as tea. Checkout was a piece of cake. Also, I asked Jake if $ 39.95 was tax-​included, and he kindly reminded me that there is no tax on tea. (‘Merica, f*** yeah.)
Best experience at a tea shop and one of the best experiences at any kind of shop, ever. Give your sales team a raise, but don’t change anything else.

Such a variety of teas that it is refreshing to have workers that know how to explain and suggest which tea will be a perfect fit.
You are never rushed or pushed to buy.
Another great thing about this place is that it is a local establishment.

I’m giving two stars, because they really do have quite a large selection of tea, and also, they had the Moroccan Mint tea that I was looking for.
HOWEVER.
When I went into this store for my first and only purchase:
Her scales are on the shelf behind the counter, which meant that as she stood in front of the scales measuring out tea, she blocked the view to the scales.
I noticed she was getting out a tin, and I mentioned I didn’t need a tin as I had a tin at home, (and didn’t want the extra cost). I also asked for a small amount of tea. This was my first purchase, and I was unfamiliar with how you could buy the tea (by weight? or what?).
She commented that it was a small amount of tea (I was thinking about 100g myself), and also that the tins were free.
So, reluctantly, I said ok to the tin, and let her finish, panicking in my head, and just not sure how to change what appeared to be a done thing without being rude. She tipped the entire package from the back room into the tin.
I ended up paying $ 17 for tea. I still don’t know how much tea I got (in weight), because it wasn’t on the receipt. I do know the little tin was overflowing. It was the most expensive tea ever, for something I only drink occasionally, and probably cannot take home to Australia through customs.
To top it off, I went to the website and the tins aren’t free — they’re only free with a certain amount of tea, and if I’d bought on the website I would only have paid around $ 8 – 10 including postage (which is still quite a lot, but atleast I wouldn’t be purchasing a ‘free’ tin). Plus, I would have known what weight tea I was buying.
So I’m left with a cranky husband, who can’t believe I paid so much for tea, and a sour taste in my mouth because I feel like I was misled and ripped off. I’m not visiting the store again. Nor am I taking my visitors.

Full disclosure — I don’t drink coffee, but I can’t resist a good cup of tea. That makes this place an absolute mecca for me. Last Saturday we wandered in, almost missing it on the tiny side street. Having only been to one other (brand-​new) location, I was unsure of what to expect.
Though tiny, this place is full of delicious teas and clever accessories. Every tea is smell-​able, a huge plus for me, plus there’s daily samples of two different kinds. The manager, Joyce, was an absolute gem and I had a great time talking to her for more than 20 minutes.
Tea lovers visiting Annapolis, rejoice! This spot was made for you.

How do you not love Capital Teas? This tiny shops packs options galore, perfect for gift sor even a little treat for yourself. My sister and I stopped in on a whim the other day as I had heard about Capital Teas awhile ago, but hadn’t had the opportunity to stop in before. Tucked away in Historic Downtown Annapolis, you truly feel like you have happened upon a hidden gem — at least I did. I had the baby with me, so my sis and I took turns shopping in the store while the other one watched the baby outside. Little did I know my sis would milk the opportunity because she stayed inside waaaaaay longer than I did — not that I could blame her. Capital Teas had so many teas to choose from, it was hard not to get caught up. She walked out with an assortment of green teas she was really pleased with, so the wait was worth it. Next time I go back, it will be without here and without the baby, so momma can have her Tea Time all by herself. lol! Can’t wait!

Annapolis is tiny, but super adorable with tons of history and character. It has no shortage of local boutiques stocked with handmade goodies. Capital Teas is no different. In fact from its exterior (and aside from the sign), you might mistake it for a little neighborhood house because it blends into the scene so well. In any case, I was able to find a gift for someone special (who is has quite a few dietary restrictions) fairly easily without feeling overwhelmed. I walked out with a sample package of teas that were organic and low in caffeine in a variety of green tea flavors (Jasmine Gold; Cherry Blossom Rose; Strawberry Orange).
My only complaint is that when there is even one other patron in the shop it can take a while to be attended to. The woman working was quite nice, but it took her forever and a day to not only help me, but simple say hello. I literally had to wait 5 to 10 minutes before being assisted (already to check out). I was happy with my purchase, so the 4 stars are warranted.
One last helpful tip: You don’t have to be in Maryland to experience their teas, you can order online.

Great place to shop if you love teas or if you know of someone who does.

It’s a shame that honest accountings of the EXTREMELY poor service provided at Capital Teas get swept away by Unilocal’s «filters». I can only echo the experience described by Megan G. where the «sales person», after asking us if we had questions or needed assistance rudely responded to our statement that yes we would like to sample some tea by saying she was already helping another customer. Why did you ask us in the first place? We were patiently waiting to be assisted. After this rude response, we were further taken aback by the question, Well, are you going to buy something?” after neither assisting us nor finishing up with the other customer in front of her.
After reading some of the other reviews for this establishment, I am wondering if we are speaking of the same place, because I cannot imagine a warm or inviting atmosphere, nor can I imagine setting foot in that store again. If it were possible to give this store fewer than 1 star, I would.

By no means am I a tea person, but Capital Teas could change that very quickly.
The exceptional staff here is warm, knowledgeable and extremely patient.
Not only were my party and I invited to try samples of their iced teas, but the staff also waited while we smelled their loose leaf teas and boggled over their beautiful tea pots (cast iron one was beautiful).
Oh, please please please try the almond tea! It smells divine and the taste is absolutely heavenly. Again, I am not usually a fan of tea, but this tea was actually light and very refreshing.
They have every type of tea and tea accessory that you could imagine (bags for your loose leaf teas, honeycombs, tea cups and sets for children and adults, literature about teas and tea partying).
Great place to shop for a gift for a loved one. Again, kudos to the staff for their expertise and for sharing the wonders of tea!
This shop is tiny, but very cute… you get the feeling that it’s been there since the first days of the colonial tea trade!

I’m glad I discovered this hidden tea seller discretely located down a little narrow road. It’s tiny, but it’s a tea lover’s paradise!
The gal worker there was ever so helpful and knowledgeable about the 100+ loose teas that await you. Since I’m an uncomplicated gal, I tend to favor strong, black teas. The tea lady recommended their Great-​Grandfather tea. It is a Sri Lankan inspired tea that turns dark the moment you pour freshly boiled water over your infuser. It is perfect in my book, and very reasonably priced. Two ounces goes a long way.
I tried one of the sample teas, a Milk Oolong, which was slightly sweet, but had an outstanding, soothing flavor. It would be a great tea for the upcoming chilly nights. It was quite a bit more expensive than the tea I purchased, but I was told the tea leaves are strong enough to reuse, making it a better value.
I don’t make it up to Annapolis very often, so I was happy to hear they have a shop in Bethesda too. Yay for the DC suburbs!

So I always walk in there and look around sample their teas, but I have not bought anything (mostly because I have too much tea at home) until today.
Today, I was on the hunt for fun flavored tea, I stopped in on a day of downtown shopping in Annapolis to see if there was something that would catch my interest. After chatting with the store owner, she said that their most popular tea was the «Sailor’s Delight». She was right, it is very good!
It has a hint of fruit and the best flavors of black and green tea. The website description of this tea is pretty dead on:
«Hot or iced, this black and green tea medley is a favorite of sailors; blended-​in papaya and strawberry pieces add a refreshing slight sweetness»
I’m a fan and I will be returning to try some of their other signature blends.