by Frank Sabatini Jr.

There are more varieties of teas in the world than there are wines. And Alex Marin possesses about 200 of them in loose form at T-Deli in Hillcrest. The hard-to-find aromatic teas are stored in glass jars adorning the deli’s modest interior. Customers will find things like South African rooibos, a caffeine-free herbal tea packing 50 times more antioxidants than green tea, plus sweet and delicate gen ma cha from Japan, fine oolongs, and fermented chamraj from India. Many are blended with blueberries, flowers of Provence or orange zest for adding natural sweetness. Marin gravitated to teas while practicing Buddhism for 15 years and has since taken master tea courses. The brews are served in metal pots and sold by the ounce.