Boothbay’s favorite tea room, since 1991, MacNab’s, was included in a feature on Maine Tea Rooms in Maine Food and Lifestyle magazine that hit the stand last weekend.

Maine Food & Lifestyle editor Merrill Williams launched the quarterly magazine in June 2007. The magazine features Maine food and those who produce that food from fishermen to farmers to chefs, recipes, restaurants, and, in this new edition, tearooms.

Freelance writer Jennifer Hazard visited the gals on Lu Yu Tea Lane, Fran Browne and Nancy Hilton, in February. Hazard said she discovered MacNab's through teamap.com.

"The site offers details, commentary and ratings on tea houses throughout the U.S.," said Hazard.　

In addition to MacNab’s Tea Room, Hazard featured Jacqueline’s Tea Room in Freeport, the Kismet Inn in Bath, Soakology in Portland and Homegrown Herb & Tea, also in Portland.

"MacNab’s is a cozy, unassuming spot, just right for enjoying tea alone – or with friends," Hazard said. "The ladies at MacNab's were kind enough to offer me a sample of a Chinese tea called Pu-Erh. I was intrigued by the tea because of its packaging - I've never seen anything quite like it before;　it comes tightly wrapped in a tiny round paper ball."

Madames Browne and Hilton, the region’s well-known "purveyors of premium tea and fine yarn," enjoyed meeting Hazard and sharing stories and recollections over their favorite brew.

The two are very excited about their line of yarns, some soy and vegetable-based. The two, tea and knitting or crochet, go hand-in-hand.

Williams admitted her favorite MacNab’s teas are the black teas that she purchases in Rockland. She is particularly fond of "Tra Que" Chai and MacNab’s Earl Grey with lavender.

Williams described the latter tea as "…absolutely divine in the warm weather - a fragrant reminder of summer gardens."

Copies of the first 2009 edition of the magazine are on sale at Sherman’s Book Store, Rite Aid and Hannaford Supermarket.

For more information on MacNab’s, where the consumption of tea and purchasing of yarn are "vices" heartily encouraged, visit www.macnabstea.com or give them a call at 633-7222.

Better still, drop by the tea room, peruse their 75-item tea list and relax, sip, talk and perhaps get in a bit of "knit and purl."