Tea Blog

Tea is one of those subjects that seems to capture people completely.

For some, it becomes more than just a beverage—it grows into a lifelong passion, leading them to study tea in depth and become true experts over time.

Previously, I wrote about

tea expert Jane Pettigrew
,
whose influence spans the UK, the U.S., and beyond.

While researching her work, I discovered another remarkable pair of tea enthusiasts: Bruce and Shelley Richardson.

The Elmwood Inn Story

Originally from North Carolina, the Richardsons eventually settled in Kentucky—hardly a traditional hub of refined tea culture.

Yet in 1990, they purchased the historic Elmwood Inn in Perryville and transformed it into a bed-and-breakfast with a tea room.

Despite initial uncertainty, their tea room quickly gained a loyal following and became widely recognized.

After 14 years, however, their growing commitments to writing, publishing, and speaking made it impossible to continue operating the tea room, and it closed.

This also highlights just how rare it is to find tea rooms with truly knowledgeable staff.

Sharing Tea Knowledge

Bruce Richardson has spoken at numerous venues, including:

• Dallas Museum of Art
• St. Regis Hotel (New York)
• The Protocol School of Washington
• World Tea Expo
• The Jane Austen Society of Louisville

Through speaking, writing, and teaching, the Richardsons have helped bring a deeper understanding of tea to a wide audience.

Notable Tea Books

Among their many contributions are a number of well-regarded books:

• 
  The Book of Tea
  
• 
  Tea & Etiquette
  
• 
  Taking Tea With Alice
  
• 
  Children’s Tea & Etiquette
  
• 
  The Great Tea Rooms of Britain
  
• 
  The Great Tea Rooms of America
  
• 
  A Year of Teas at the Elmwood Inn
  
• 
  A Tea for All Seasons
  
• 
  The Tea Table
  
• 
  The New Tea Companion
  (co-written with Jane Pettigrew)

Tea Travel Guides

They have also co-authored guides to tea experiences in major cities:

• 
  Tea in the City: New York
  
• 
  Tea in the City: London
  
• 
  Tea in the City: Paris
  

Continuing the Tradition

Shelley Richardson brings a refined yet relaxed aesthetic to their work and now focuses on publishing through their company, Benjamin Press.

Together, the couple continues to source, blend, and sell their own line of specialty teas—many of which gained popularity during the Elmwood Inn years.

They remain active in the tea world through speaking engagements and events.

To learn more about their appearances, see the

Elmwood Inn event schedule
.

Their passion and dedication make them true ambassadors of tea culture.

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