“[Some] cups were given to me by a customer that belonged to her mother-in-law who traveled,” Bell said. “It was a glimpse into her life, which is what I love. People will look at them and see they are from Greece, or France or Asia.”
Bell said Hummingbird Tea House has grown in size and scope over the past seven years, with regular afternoon teas and events hosted in the space.
“I would never have expected it,” Bell said. “We have had baby showers here, and now I am seeing the babies coming in that are 4, 5 or 6 years old.”
Back to basics
In mid-2019, Bell moved the tea house to a larger location at FM 2978 and Woodlands Parkway to offer an expanded menu that features scratch-made breads, pizzas and breakfast options, most of which incorporate tea leaves into them in some way. Bell said she is looking at the leaves more as an herb than a drink.
“When you think of tea as an herb, you can add it to your cooking,” she said. “It gives an added depth of flavor.”
Bell said having an oven allows her staff to focus on baking bread, which she said she had wanted to do for some time.
Tea leaves are used in dishes such as soups and fresh baked breads and are infused into the oil used for the tea room’s pizzas.
More than just tea
Bell said along with expanding dining offerings, Hummingbird Tea Room has partnered with delivery services. The shop has also expanded to allow guests to bring in their own alcohol and extended hours later into the evening.
Bell recommends new guests attend an afternoon tea, as she said the atmosphere is more casual and relaxed in those settings.
“People love to do it when they are celebrating birthdays or friendship,” Bell said. “It is something really special that we do.”
Bell said she appreciates the sense of community that has developed in the tea room, from customers offering to help clean off tables if they are dirty to working together in cultivating a small community garden out front. •“A lot of connections are made between customers here,” Bell said.
Hummingbird Tea Room and Bakery
30420 FM 2978, Ste. 130, Magnolia
281-419-8362
www.hummingbirdtearoom.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Sun.
