| Welcome to The Random Tea Room! |
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The Random Tea Room is a place to restore the spirit and wow the palate.
Our line of roughly 40 artisinal teas and house-blended herbal infusions offer
a small window into the international world of Tea.
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Our Daily Hours:
Monday - Friday 9-8
Saturday 10-8
Sunday 10-7
Free Wi-Fi
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Rest your bones, restore your spirit, rejuvenate yourself and enchant your palate!
Our line of roughly 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions offers a small window into the enormous, fascinating and international world of Tea. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world (next to water of course). It is an integral part in the daily lives and hospitable traditions of countless cultures throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and slowly but surely, the Americas. Tea is a steppingstone to building communities and fostering friendships, assisting in forming and sustaining bonds in virtually every walk of life.
Popularized by various Chinese Emperors and Sages thousands of years ago for its numerous curative properties, Tea was originally intended as a tool for meditation, enabling the drinker to meditate for hours on end without the fear of drifting into sleep, allowing the mind to focus yet be at peace. The often frenetic pace of our modern existence gets to us all, and we hope that our tea room can provide a balm for those seeking respite from all the hustle and bustle. Taking the time to sit and sip a pot of tea can do wonders for clearing the mind from some of the excess baggage we carry with us in our daily routines. But tea isn't only about relaxation – it's about fresh experiences, entertaining the taste buds with previously unknown sensations, delighting the senses and savoring the richness of life. Some new experiences you'll encounter upon spending time in our tea room include Gong Fu tea service, drinking from the Chinese Zhong and sipping the finest Yerba Mate from the traditional cuia (Mate gourd) and bombilla (filtered straw).
Tea is about nourishing the body, tonifying the spirit and making new friends, but The Random Tea Room isn't only about tea. Vintage and antique pieces are also available for purchase, not to mention delicious baked goods, French-pressed Old City coffee, and locally made jewelry and skin care products. We also offer free wireless internet so you can surf while you sip. Most of all, we look forward to spreading the good will of Tea and growing with the community, cup by cup, pot by pot.
Wabi Cha,
The Random Tea Room
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| Interview Press Illustration |
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Thanks everybody,
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Black Teas of Sri Lanka & Assam
House Ceylon - This brisk, full-bodied classic hails from the mountains of Sri Lanka – formerly Ceylon, hence the name of all tea grown there. Our House Ceylon is on a rotating basis, meaning that we frequently offer different teas from different tea estates and regions, seeking quality and diversity of flavor – but it will always have that characteristic “brisk” flavor for which Ceylon teas have come to be prized. Ask your tea tender about the source of our current selection. This brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 2.00/oz
Tippy Reserve Assam - The full-bodied, malty quality of Assam is often the backbone of popular European blends such as English Breakfast. Our Tippy Reserve is a hearty brew, yet exhibits a mellow, woodsy character with a long, crisp finish. Another tea we keep on a rotating basis, feel free to ask your tea tender about the origin of our current Assam. This brew can be enjoyed with or without the addition of milk or sugar.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.50/oz
Darjeeling
Known across the Tea World as “The Champagne of Tea,” Darjeeling often fetches record prices at international tea auctions. There are three harvest seasons for Darjeeling: Spring, Summer and Autumn. Most people are familiar with the Summer Harvest or “Flush” Darjeelings, those offering bright, crisp, full-bodied flavor profiles. The Spring Flushes display lighter, floral and vegetal tones due to their higher tea bud content, and are considered the most elegant of the Flushes. The Autumnal Flushes are mellower and markedly less common – their darker, woodsier qualities remind one of walking through a path of fallen leaves.
Namring Summer Flush Darjeeling – Our House Darjeeling from the Namring Estate displays a full-bodied yet mild flavor while retaining the classic crisp flavor associated with Darjeeling, offering notes of citrus, spice and earth. Perfect in the morning or afternoon, this tea can stand up to milk or sugar, but we recommend first trying it on its own to fully appreciate its quality and complexity.
Pot: 5.00 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 3.50/oz
Lingia Organic Spring Flush Darjeeling – This extraordinary find comes from the Lingia Estate, where renowned Darjeeling teamaker Vijay Dhancholia has perfected the First (or Spring) Flush style. The Lingia is an array of flavor and aroma, featuring an evergreen bouquet that fills the nostrils with soft spice. The flavor is slightly fruity yet also vegetal, reminiscent of aromatic wood and toasted grain. The liquor comes out golden and the finish is clean. Like a fine wine, this tea should be savored on its own.
Pot: 6.50 Large Cup: 3.50/ Small: 3.25 Loose: 5.75/oz
Chinese Reds
Black tea grown in China is called Red Tea (not to be confused with the caffeine-free herbal tisane Rooibos from South Africa, also known as “Red Bush Tea”). The best known of the Chinese Reds, Keemun, is appropriately referred to as “The Burgundy of Teas.” Red Teas are often described as having a “winy” flavor and/or body, and they also yield a discernibly redder liquor (liquid) than their Indian relatives. Red teas from Anhui, Yunnan, Hunan and Fujian provinces often exhibit notes of chocolate, wood and earth and consequently pair very well with spicy food and chocolate. A high quality Red tea is renowned for its rich, subtly sweet flavor and exceptionally smooth finish.
Organic Hunan Noir – An impressively bold twisted leaf from Hunan province gives way to wild mushroom and tobacco on the nose when brewed. The Hunan Noir is of a mellow character but retains a depth of flavor suggesting cacao, finishing as fast as it’s gulped. Exceedingly drinkable, this tea can stand up to milk and/or sugar, but we recommend first trying it alone.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2 Loose: 2/oz
Keemun Mao Feng – From Anhui province, the Keemun Mao Feng is milder yet more complex than most Keemuns, with an elegantly bold and wiry leaf style. This awakening brew reminds us of barley on the nose, next offering a touch of spice, perhaps nutmeg, followed by a gently smoky finish. Satisfying and smooth, this tea is best savored on its own.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 4.25/oz
Golden Monkey King - This delectable brew comes from Fujian province, a region also revered for its Green, White & Oolong teas. Surprisingly sweet, mellow, complex and smooth, with a tantalizing chocolate aroma.
Pot: 6.25 Large Cup: 3.25/ Small: 3.00 Loose: 4.50/oz
Chinese Greens
White Monkey King – Our House Chinese Green is as crisp as a snow pea. The dry leaf is green and white, exhibiting its high tip content, while the liquor comes out to a hue of canary yellow. This tea reminds us of a fuller-bodied but much more affordable Pi Lo Chun.
Pot or Gaiwan: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.50/ Small: 2.25 Loose: 2.50/oz
Pi Bao Shan – From Fujian province, Pi Bao Shan exhibits a beautiful bold leaf style, fresh vegetal aroma, and a flavorful cup reminiscent of smoky ocean mist. Unfortunately, supply is limited, so get it while you can. Pi Bao Shan is worth savoring on its own.
Pot or Gaiwan: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.00/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 4.00/oz
Chinese Whites
Once only reserved for the Emperor, White Teas are only steamed and dried, never withered, rolled or oxidized, offering not only the healthiest brew, but also the lowest amount of caffeine. Depending on the tea, White Tea is either primarily or entirely composed of tea buds as opposed to leaves. The minimal processing gives us a chance to view the closest approximation of the tea in its raw state. Due to their extremely delicate character, White Teas should only be savored on their own so that the finest and faintest of their flavors can be fully enjoyed. Their whispering nature is considered the perfect tone of subtlety for meditation. Sipping on a pot of White Tea is an activity to calm the spirit and clear the mind.
Drum Mountain White Cloud – Silvery buds tenderly plucked by Taoist monks, Drum Mountain is our House White, exemplifying the slightly sweet nature of White Tea, but adding a nuanced vegetal tone often associated with only the most refined Chinese Greens. The Drum Mountain can be enjoyed morning, noon or night, but is always best relished on its own.
Pot or Gaiwan: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.00/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 5.25/oz
Fuding White Treasure – To sip morning dew
sliding from a tea blossom:
Fuding White Treasure.
This haiku is as close as we can come to describing the experience of Fuding White Treasure. This tea is unique among Chinese Whites. Hailing from Fujian province, renowned for many of its Green and Red Teas, Fuding is a recent favorite among White Teas in the tea world and as such, supply each year is limited.
Pot or Gaiwan: 7.75 Large Cup: 4.00/ Small: 3.75 Loose: 7.50/oz
Bodhidharma’s Eyelids – A very special house blend of Organic Pai Mu Tan (White Peony White Tea) and Cha Hua (Tea Flowers). Our Cha Hua hail from Jing Mai Mountain in Southern Yunnan, where the tea trees range from 800 – 1,200 years old. Every fall the tea trees blossom just before producing seeds and going into winter hibernation. Cha Hua have a floral and fruity flavor, recalling apricot or honeydew on the nose, with a subtle sweet flavor hinting of fig. Delicious and soothing with only trace amounts of caffeine. The addition of Pai Mu Tan to these tea flowers adds body, balance and a nutty character. Enjoy this harmonious pairing in a gaiwan any time of day or night.
Pot or Gaiwan: 5.50 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose 5.00/oz
Oolong
Oolong (pronounced wu-long) is a Chinese or Taiwanese semi-oxidized tea, spanning perhaps the most diverse spectrum of flavor and body between Green and Red/Black Teas. Oolong is regarded as the ultimate art form in tea-making in Taiwan, which has adopted and perfected the brewing method for it, known as Gong Fu. The Gong Fu style of serving tea originated in China, but at some point reached epically proportioned importance in Taiwan (formerly Formosa, thus the name of many Oolongs grown in Taiwan). In the Gong Fu style, very small tea pots made of an especially dense clay called Yixing (pronounced ee-shing) are used because the residue or tea oils from the tea more easily accumulate in the pot, seasoning it with the flavor of the one kind of tea reserved for that particular pot. After decades of use, simply adding hot water to the pot alone can yield its own tea from the years of tea oil accumulation. The combination of short brewing times, lots of leaf and the small capacity of the Yixing pots produce multiple steepings of what is considered the very essence of one of the highest forms of tea. Ask your Tea Tender about Gong Fu service.
Wenshan Baozhong – The lightest and most overtly floral of our Oolong selection, this Baozhong comes from a pristine, high-elevation tea garden on Wenshan mountain in Taiwan. Baozhong is only harvested in winter and unique among other “Jade Oolongs” in that the leaves are hand-twisted as opposed to rolled. The tea brews to a blonde liquor with a silky body. Notes of lily and orchid persist throughout the sweet finish.
Pot: 7.25 Large Cup: 3.75/ Small: 3.50 Loose: 7.25/oz
Deluxe Ti Kwan Yin – Named after an incarnation of the Buddhist deity Kwan Yin, or “The Iron Goddess of Mercy,” Ti Kwan Yin is a family of its own within the Oolong style. Ranging from straw-colored infusions of delicate quality to robustly roasted and nutty brews, Ti Kwan Yin always somehow retains a signature spiciness found in no other kind of tea.
Pot: 7.75 Large Cup: 4/ Small: 3.75 Loose: 7.75/oz
King’s Tea – Our darkest, nuttiest Oolong, the King’s Tea is infused with ginseng, lending its already rich character a sweet finish. It is uncanny: the more you drink, the sweeter the air you inhale becomes. Plainly, King’s Tea offers an unrivalled flavor sensation, and due to this quality, it is steadfastly pursued by its devotees once they’ve discovered it.
Pot: 7.25 Large Cup: 3.75/ Small: 3.50 Loose: 7.25/oz
Pu-Erh
Pu-Erh is one of the oldest varieties of tea, originating in the Yunnan province of China, the very birthplace of tea, where the first tea plants were discovered in the wild and later cultivated. The truly unique, earthy, mineral-laden flavor of Pu-Erh belies its definitive smoothness. Pu-Erh is one of the only teas to undergo an aging process, sometimes even in Himalayan caves. During the aging process, a culture is introduced to the tea and over time enzymes develop in the tea, which are purported to be the cause of its digestive properties. When consumed with or after a meal, it has remarkable powers for breaking up oil and fat in the digestive track, not to mention soothing the sting of spice. Due to the minimal tannic content in Pu-Erh, it rarely becomes bitter when steeped for long periods like other tea and is intended to be steeped multiple times. Today, Pu-Erh is a staple in the diets of many people in Yunnan, Tibet and Nepal.
Tuocha – A cooked Pu-Erh that is shaped into small nest-like cakes and wrapped in paper, Tuocha is one of the most popular forms of Pu-Erh – cooked or raw. Earthy and smooth. Come in for a pot after your next big meal.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 3/oz
Pu-Erh Velour - A much darker and fuller-flavored brew than the Tuocha, the Velour is a cooked loose leaf Pu-Erh exhibiting an earthiness reminiscent of clay. Stands up to several steepings. An excellent digestive.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 3.75/oz
Jing Mai Bing Cha, 2003 – This greener, semi-cooked Pu-Erh comes from Jing Mai Mountain in southern Yunnan, where tea is wild-crafted from several-hundred-year-old tea trees. The mature leaves are sun-withered, hand-kneaded, wood-fired, wok-roasted, steamed and then shaped into round cakes by putting the leaves into cloth bags and placing the bags under a stone mold upon which the tea-makers stand, applying their weight in a rotational motion to achieve the desired circular shape of the tea cake. The flavor is bittersweet and brings to mind breathing in the air close to a river nestled in a forest. This tea is intended for several steepings, with the “heart” of the tea’s character usually apparent somewhere around the 3rd or 4th steeping.
Pot: 7.50 Tasting Set: 4.75 Large Cup: 4.00/ Small: 3.75 Loose: 7.50/oz
Japanese Teas
Uji Mecha – Uji Mecha is pan-roasted as opposed to steamed like most other Japanese greens, giving it a somewhat earthier quality while maintaining the refinement of a Japanese green. Grass and pear persist throughout the crisp finish.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 4/oz
Organic Gifu Yabukita – Made only from the yabukita varietal in Gifu prefecture, this beautiful tea is mellow and easy-drinking, but showcases a sophisticated flavor profile suggesting toasted rice, dashi broth and maize: it is clean yet warm and inviting. Like a fine wine, this Japanese green should be savored on its own.
Pot: 7.75 Large Cup: 4/ Small: 3.75 Loose: 7.75/oz
Genmaicha – Roasted brown rice and whole leaf Japanese Green Tea are happily married for this classic blend. The toasty, nutty flavor soothes the spirit in colder months and also makes for a gentle iced beverage.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.75/oz
Kaiseiki Hojicha – Twigs from the first flush and leaves from latter flushes are lightly roasted to bring you this slightly sweet, rich brew with flavors of chestnut and freshly baked bread. Hojicha is an excellent choice to accompany food.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2.75/oz
Shouhaku Matcha – Matcha is a powdered green tea of the highest caliber used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, Chanoyu. It is the unquestionable pinnacle of Japanese tea-making. The color of Matcha is a deep emerald, and its flavor is intensely vegetal (think wheatgrass) and quite viscous, offering an unrivalled taste sensation. Our Shouhaku Matcha (meaning “Pines and Oak Trees”) is a “thin tea,” (surprisingly, they get even thicker) and is one of the favored teas of renowned Urasanke tea sensei Hounsai Daisosho. Matcha is vigorously whisked with a bamboo tool called a “chasen” in a special Matcha bowl called a “chawan,” and as such, the portion is small and cannot be made to go.
Chawan (bowl): 4.00
House Blended Specialties
4th St. Breakfast – A house-blended tea composed of the trinity of Kenilworth Ceylon, Harmutty Assam & Hunan Noir.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.75/oz
Chai Masala - Our very own, made every morning from scratch with love and devotion – no concentrate here! Hand-ground spices harmonize with Mapelhofe Farms whole milk, Harmutty Assam, fresh ginger, brown sugar, vanilla & rose water.
There’s nothing quite like it!
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.00/ Small: 2.75
Morroccan Mint - The favorite style of tea among many across Morocco and its neighbors, our version employs dried peppermint, Gunpowder green tea and turbinado sugar as the base that is poured into glasses stuffed with fresh mint leaves.
Pot: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.50/ Small: 2.25 Loose: 1.50/oz
Scented Teas
Organic Earl Grey - An intoxicating bouquet announces this version of the classic Bergamot scented black tea.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.75/oz
Lapsang Souchong – A pine-smoked Chinese Black Tea. Despite its powerful flavor, Lapsang is lower in caffeine than other black teas.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 2.25/oz
Phoenix Jasmine Pearls - The Queen of Jasmine. Each ball or “pearl” of tea buds is individually hand-rolled! The perfect touch of only the finest Jasmine essence will send your senses reeling. An ethereal delight.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 5.25/oz
Jasmine Dragon Tail - A stunning “display tea.” Hand-tied with silk, a bundle of white tea buds yields a haunting chain of Jasmine flowers unfurling heavenward upon steeping. Served in a glass pot for your enjoyment! Pot: 7.75 Loose: 7.50/oz
Caffeine-Free Tisanes
Organic Rooibos – Also known as Red Bush Tea, Rooibos (pronounced “roy-bus”) is a mineral-rich and highly antioxidant herbal beverage from South Africa. Naturally caffeine-free, its flavor is somewhat similar to black tea, though very low in tannins so it doesn’t turn bitter if steeped for too long. Rooibos is characteristically mild and aromatic with a slightly citric sweetness and is excellent hot or iced. This herbal tisane can also stand up to milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.25/oz
Bourbon Vanilla Honeybush – Another “bush tea” from South Africa, Honeybush is naturally caffeine-free with a sweet honey-like flavor. Also a nice source of calcium, our version is flavored with genuine Bourbon vanilla. Richly aromatic, Honeybush is a delight at any time of day, and can be enjoyed with or without milk or sugar.
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.75/oz
Red Berry Fruit Melange – A fruity delight, the Red Berry Fruit Melange is composed of blueberries, black currants, elder berries, grapes and hibiscus. Packed full of vitamins and an excellent choice for kids and grown-ups alike!
Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.75/oz
Healing Herbal Infusions by Jor
Belly Blend – A blend of peppermint, fennel, licorice and dried ginger. Designed to soothe the digestive system, whether the sourness is related to the stomach or the intestinal track.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 1.75/oz
Deliverance – A blend of dandelion root, lapacho, fresh ginger, licorice and hibiscus. Designed to assist the body in cleansing itself of toxins, this ruddy brew will be there for you the day after a hard night. Cleans up the blood.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz
For the Defense – A blend of cinnamon, lapacho, fresh ginger, dandelion, clove, lemon, licorice and elder berries. Designed to support the immune system when under attack, in times of health, or just when “something’s been going around.”
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 1.75/oz
The Glowing Throat – A blend of lapacho, licorice, fennel, nettle and red raspberry leaf. Designed to soothe a scratchy or inflamed throat while fighting off any infection that might be hiding there.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 1.75/oz
Respiratory Rescue – A blend of nettle, dried ginger, mullein, licorice, lemon and elder berries. Designed to support the respiratory system in responding to infection and strain. Helps with the harshness of everyday urban pollution too.
Pot: 5.25 Large Cup: 2.75/ Small: 2.50 Loose: 2/oz
Simmer Down – A blend of chamomile, lemon balm, mint, lavender and passionflower. Designed to assist the body in alleviating stress and worn nerves. Very relaxing. This is calm in a cup.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.00/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 2.75/oz
Spin Cycle – A blend of fennel, lemon balm, dandelion, chamomile, dried ginger, red raspberry leaf, honeybush and lavender. Designed to help ease the symptoms of an unruly cycle while encouraging the body to stabilize its regularity.
Pot: 5.75 Large Cup: 3.00/ Small: 2.75 Loose: 2.50/oz
Yerba Mate
A highly stimulating infusion widely consumed in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil, Yerba Mate is traditionally drank from a cuia (cured gourd) through a bombilla (filtered straw) made of metal or wood. Due to its lack of tannic content, the leaf is left in the gourd so as to allow multiple steepings and can also be brewed with cold water. The earthy, herbal flavor steadily mellows with each subsequent steeping, though the invigorating effects are only heightened with the passing of each round. Traditionally, a gourd full of Mate is passed around a group of people many times and the straw is never used to stir the leaf inside the gourd. Popular amongst hikers in the Andes, Yerba Mate is known to increase physical endurance, curb the appetite, sharpen the mind, and assist the gallbladder in processing toxins from the body. It contains Vitamins A, B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), C, E and 15 amino acids, along with a high level of antioxidants. Yerba Mate contains a significant amount of caffeine.
We have 3 superb offerings from the world of Yerba Mate.
Organic Brazilian Yerba Mate - Our House Mate is shade-grown in Brazil. It is full-bodied with notes of chocolate and earth and is sure to put a spring in your step.
Gourd: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.25/oz
Organic Argentinean Yerba Mate - The Argentinean Mate is all leaf (no stems here!), but is extra fine, making for an exceptionally robust but ultimately smooth beverage.
Gourd: 4.75 Large Cup: 2.50/ Small: 2.25 Loose: 1.75/oz
Organic Chimarrao - A rare find you’re not likely to encounter elsewhere in Philadelphia. Chimarrao is a style of Yerba Mate that is a local favorite in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The leaf is powdered, unlike traditional Yerba Mate, lending it a thick, creamy texture unlike anything else. This brew is not for the faint of heart.
Gourd or Pot: 4.25 Large Cup: 2.25/ Small: 2.00 Loose: 1.25/oz
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The Random Tearoom provides a diverse sensory selection, that expands beyond the teapot.
Antique and vintage accessories will be available for purchase as well as furniture, jewellry and art.
Delicious baked goods and tea sandwiches will be available as well.
We are looking forward to providing a space for community gatherings of harmonious interest.
Wireless internet is complimentary, so you can surf while you sip.
Most of all, we look forward to spreading the good will of Tea
and growing with the community, cup by cup, pot by pot.
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For more information please e-mail:
curiositea@therandomtearoom.com
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