Saraga International Grocery Store in Columbus

 While in Columbus I wanted to try this international grocery store that a co-worker told me about.

I happened to be in the area for the tea festival, and I could not wait to check it out.  I heard it was a smaller version of Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati. 

1265 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43229-6320 

This is African tea like I had from Guinea West Africa.

They say you should never shop when you are hungry...I say don't shop when you are thirsty. I love shopping through all the drink isles.  

I was also looking for items for the tea recipe book, Let's Do Tea.  This was a great place to find some of the extra items- like coconut water, juices, different sugars, teas, and fruits.

So many fruit juices.

The coconut fruit juices looked really delicious.

I wish I could have bought one of everything.

Aloe drinks.

Sodas.

Fun boxed teas.

There were even plates, bowls, cups, and tea pots.

When I was in Kurdistan there were cafes that these giant tea kettles and I wanted one so bad, but I knew I could never get it home, unless I carried it like a purse.  They had one of those giant tea kettles here.  I think it holds around 3 gallons.

I wish this grocery was closer, but still an hour and half is not awful if I were to do an ethnic tea party where I needed some more of these great ingredients. 

Soursop.

Papayas.

This is the tea I tried on the way home, I really enjoyed it.

It was a nice robust Ceylon black tea with sweet strawberry notes.

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

East African Coffee House -Somalian Shaah (chai)

 I have discovered my new favorite tea house!

I was in Columbus for the Ohio Tea Festival and I searched google for ethnic tea places and East African popped up.  

They have only been in business for a few months. I instantly fell in love with the tea and food...and the owners.  These owners were so kind and welcoming.

East African Coffee House

4359 Morse Road

They have a menu with a nice variety of drinks.  I had never been to a Somalian restaurant, I was excited to try things.  It all looked so delicious and sounded amazing. 

I was happy to see that they seemed busy. While I was there, there were lots of people coming and going.  I really hope they do well and thrive.

I had crepes, samosa, iced tea, and Shaah.

It was all so scrumptious I could not get enough.

The samosas were so great- I actually added some to go!!

The shaah (chai) is incredibly delicious.  This chai is made with great spices and evaporated milk.

The decor is beautiful too. Everything is light and bright and clean.

Some of the desserts that you can purchase.

Everything about this place was great!  The food, the tea, the service, all 5 teacups!

The owner was kind enough to give me some of her shaah to take home!!  I told her I was writing this recipe book, and I wanted to include Somalian Chai, shaah.

The owners husband said his wife worked 3 years to create this recipe.

Shaah is a bunch of spices.  Spices-cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.  

Shaah is a cousin to Indian chai and Yemeni adeni. 

To make the tea I used black tea as the base, some of the shaah mix, sugar, and evaporated milk.

This tea is so delicious!  The spice is spicey and I love it!

 

1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.