Organic choices, Gaia Java mostly satisfy

Why: Gaia Java provides an organic choice among coffee and tea houses. Owned and operated by Quyen Tran and Cameron Harkness, Gaia Java opened four years ago and has recently expanded to include Harmony Florist, a full service flower shop.

Coffee, tea and sandwiches populate the menu, and there are vegan pastries provided by Black Sheep Bakery of Portland. Grab-n-go snacks and packaged coffee and tea are available for purchase, which help to make the florist seem like a reasonable extension of the shop.

What I yried: Rooibos tea is my favorite type of tea, so I settled on the Ginger & Lime Green Roobios, which is a caffeine-free lemongrass, lime, and ginger combination. I would definitely have this tea again. It was smooth and comforting with a refreshing finish.

I also tried the Entrepreneur sandwich made with turkey, spinach leaves, tomato, onion, spices, and jam with my choice of Monterey jack cheese on a seed-filled wheat bread that reminded me of Dave’s Killer Bread. The sandwich had a pleasant balance of ingredients, and although it had onions, they did not dominate as onions tend to do. The inclusion of jam was reminiscent of turkey sandwiches made after Thanksgiving with leftover cranberry sauce.

I also tried a brownie and a pumpkin molasses scone. The brownie was OK, but it was not as rich and chocolatey as I like a brownie to be. It reminded me of gluten-free baked goodies that taste quite different. The scone, although tasty, was extraordinarily dry.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Other sandwich choices include a miso tahini made with tofu, miso, almond tahini, mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, and mushroom. There is a tuna sandwich, a veggie sandwich, and a simple wrap made with spinach, carrots, tomato and cilantro, as well.

Teas include white, black, green, and oolong. Milks are all organic, and nondairy options are hemp, soy, rice, almond, and coconut. Among the bottled beverages are coconut water and kombucha. Fresh fruit smoothies and fresh fruit bubble teas are on the menu.

Atmosphere: The space is colored with muted green and tan walls, light wood tones on the floor and counter space, and accented with black furniture and trim. Halogen track lighting and standard, florescent, in-ceiling fixtures brighten up the space beyond what light the large street-side windows allow in. Chalkboard menu boards are easy to read, and lush, green plants in the sitting area assist in combining the florist space with the beverage and food space. There are a few tables and chairs for dining and a few upholstered chairs and a sofa paired with a coffee table for lounging.

Other observations: The space is welcoming. The order counter feels like a convenience store experience with all the grab-n-go items and extra signage intruding on the space. Service was casual.

Two things about my experience were disconcerting. During the making of my sandwich, while gloves were used, they were not taken off when retrieving a knife that fell to the floor. The knife was tossed into the sink, and my sandwich was finished, glove intact. I reasoned to myself that the sandwich was already made, I am sure I have unknowingly ingested worse germs, and it would be wasteful to have her start over. So, I only ate half of the sandwich. My tea, having finished steeping, was being poured into the cup and the person doing the pouring scratched her scalp just before picking up the lid, with the same hand, and placed it on the cup. I can drink tea without a lid.

Cost: Hot beverages come in 12-ounce, 16-ounce and 20-ounce sizes, and cost $1.45 to $4.65. Extra shots, flavors or different milk options are 55 cents to 85 cents. Smoothies and bubble teas are 16 ounces for $4 and $4.50 respectively. Sandwiches cost $5 to $6.95

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Where: 1104 Main St., Vancouver.

Contact: 360-719-2360 or gaiajavavancouver.weebly.com. Gaia Java may also be found of Facebook.

Health score: Gaia Java received a score of 15 on Oct. 1, 2014. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.