By April Corbin

There are millions of possibilities when it comes to flavoring tea, but if you ask Lillian Song, the most important thing to add is culture.

Song is the manager of Radiance Tea, which opened in Manhattan during the winter of 2008. While listed as a tea house and book shop, Song sees Radiance Tea as something beyond a place to enjoy a drink.

“Tea is so culture flavored,” she explained.

Originally from China, Song grew up in an environment where tea was common. “It’s a part of life,” she said.

With this in mind, opening a tea room in the U.S. – a country where tea is not as common – created additional challenges and required more from the shop.

“Our tea room is not (just) a tea room,” Song said. “It’s a culture center.”

In addition to selling approximately 50 types of standard teas and tea blends, Radiance Tea includes elements of art (tea inspired and not), language and Asian fashion.

Food is also incorporated into the experience. All of the food offered at Radiance Tea is light; some dishes have tea mixtures in them, and some are meant to complement the tea.

“You can’t just have tea without any food,” Song said.

According to her, every element of culture in Radiance Tea was incorporated in order to create a safe, solemn and inviting atmosphere that both longtime and new tea drinkers can embrace.

Tea tastings and ceremonies also help in establishing tea culture and education. Song believes the events she’s held at Radiance Tea have been a success.