Biography of Cynthia Yoshitomi, Proprietor of Tea by the Sea
Did you know that TEA is the most consumed beverage in the world after water?
Did you know that the People of Ireland consume more tea per capita than any
other people in the world? These facts about Tea inspires Cynthia to spread the
good news about TEA.
Cynthia was born and raised in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. She currently
lives in beautiful Hueneme Beach, California which is approximately fifty miles
north of Los Angeles with her husband, Jerry. Hueneme means “resting place” in
language of the native people of Southern California. It was in this resting place
that she remembered her dream about TEA:
While working as a VISTA Volunteer in Arizona in the 1970’s she experienced
that having TEA with people was one of the best ways to encourage them to do
personal reflection as well as to engage in real conversations with one another. It
was a wonderful community organizational tool! She decided then and there to
open an International Tea store that would have a “world café” feel to it. It has
only become a dream come true in her bounty years. She believes that having
TEA enhances the cre.a.tiv.i.tea of people who desire to make the world a better
place to live. Having TEA also encourages understanding, forgiveness, and
humor.
She is known to also enjoy an occasional cup of cowboy coffee in the mornings
but always makes time to have tea with her husband, Jerry and/or friends in the
afternoon. Cindy and Jerry have two grown sons, David and Joseph who both
live in Los Angeles and also drink tea. Her 93 year old mother, Mary Driggs
White, has blessed this project and process of tea making. She truly was the first
person to give Cindy a cup of tea.
Cynthia has been Certified in Tea by the Specialty Tea Institute in New York and
continues her education in tea by listening to her customers, reading and
continuing her education through tea education classes. She has a Bachelor of
Arts degree and Masters in Education degree from Arizona State University. She
has spent most of her professional life as an administrator and Campus Minister at
various Colleges, Universities and high schools in Southern California. She hopes
you enjoy the tea selection and information contained in TEA BY THE SEA, and
encourages you to write her about your tea experiences.
Our contact information
Tea by the Sea
Cynthia Yoshitomi
