Biddy Takes Tea in Nicholas Wharf, West Mills

Nicholas Wharf? West Mills? Where’s that, I hear you cry?

If you live or work in Newbury, you probably pass by it all the time. It is the little street that runs between St Nicolas (without an ‘h’) Church and Lloyds Bank, and leads down to the canal.

There is a small handful of shops and businesses here – Limes beauty salon; Air Hair Design; Jayne’s Sew & Sew (for all your tailoring and clothes alterations, including leathers). But of course, as you know I am something of an expert at sniffing out places to take refreshment, and there are two here: Mr Moo Juice and Tiy Tea Bar.

Mr Moo Juice has all sorts of drinks on offer, including coffees and teas – but you can guess what their speciality is! And they have every type, flavour and thickness of milkshake (oops, I mean mooshake) you could possibly want. Then there is a whole range of smoothies and even protein shakes. And be left in no doubt they are ‘udderly delicious’. (And if that is making you groan, it’s their words, not mine!)

Last week, however, I paid my first visit to Tiy Tea Bar. Now here’s somewhere special, somewhere different. Run by the charming Tze Mo and her husband Kevin, this is where Japanese and English cultures make a perfect combination. I chose to perch on a stool and watch the world go by in this peaceful spot overlooking St Nick’s while I perused what they have on offer.

And what a choice there is! There are speciality teas by the pot – for example Bai Mun Dan White or Gunpowder Green. They also have several caffeine-free options, and you know what I am like for getting a bit hyper on caffeine, so I went for this and tried the Honeybush – and how delicious it was. Very light, very refreshing, totally recommended.

They also serve hot or cold bubble fusion teas. How exciting does that sound? The base of this is either classic black, Jasmine green or baked oolong. This is then fused with a choice of raspberry jam (yes, really!), honey, lemon, grass jelly or tapioca pearls. The latter is apparently what this type of tea is most commonly served with – chewy, caramel flavour balls made from tapioca starch. The ‘bubble’ bit comes in because of the foam produced by shaking the whole lot in a cocktail shaker. Now, you have to give that a go, don’t you? I am going to next time, no doubt about it.

To enjoy alongside your tea there are some lovely cakes, all homemade by Tze Mo. I chose the gorgeous-looking Japanese cheesecake. And it tasted as gorgeous as it looked – light, moist and absolutely delicious. 

Tiy’s is popular with the lunchtime crowd; how about Udon soup with vegetables and dumpling noodles? They also make a whole range of sandwiches – and even serve cream teas.

By the way, if you are feeling less adventurous than yours truly, you are more than welcome to have a coffee, including Americanos, lattes and cappuccinos, or English teas. But I’d encourage you to try something different. Go on. I dare you.

Biddy x