In Pokémon FireRed, you give the Tea key item to any one of the thirsty guards at a gate into Saffron City. You do not need to find a particular guard, and you do not need to hand Tea to all four. Once one guard has it, the way into the city’s other gate approaches opens as well.
How to get the Tea
Tea comes from an elderly woman inside Celadon Mansion in Celadon City. Game8’s guide, updated March 6, 2026, places the mansion east of Celadon Department Store and describes the woman as standing on the first floor.
- Walk into Celadon Mansion from the Celadon City map.
- Speak to the elderly woman on the first floor.
- Receive the Tea key item. It is stored in the Key Items pocket of your bag, so check there if you are unsure it arrived.
Using the Tea at a Saffron gate
Head to any of the gates that lead into Saffron City. Game8 names the approaches from Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8. At each gate, a thirsty guard stops you while you are walking through. Once Tea is in your bag, the guard accepts it and lets you pass.
Bulbapedia’s walkthrough for FireRed and LeafGreen states that the guard you help shares the Tea with the other three. That is why a single delivery opens every approach, and you do not need to repeat the step at each gate.
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Why the vending machine drinks do not work here
Many players remember the Saffron guards asking for a drink from the rooftop vending machines in Celadon Department Store. That answer belongs to the original Generation I games, Red, Green, and Blue (and Yellow). The FireRed and LeafGreen remakes changed the requirement to Tea.
| Version group | What the Saffron guards accept | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (Game Boy Advance remakes) | Tea (key item) | Elderly woman, first floor of Celadon Mansion |
| Original Generation I games (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow) | Fresh Water, Soda Pop, or Lemonade | Rooftop vending machines, Celadon Department Store |
If you are following an older guide or a Generation I playthrough, do not look for Tea. Check which version you are playing before you spend time on the wrong item.
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Quick checklist
- Confirm you are playing FireRed or LeafGreen, not a Generation I game.
- Get Tea from the first floor of Celadon Mansion before heading to Saffron.
- Give it to one thirsty guard at any gate; the others are covered.
The exact wording of the guard’s dialogue is not confirmed in the sources used for this guide, so match what you see on screen against the steps above rather than expecting a specific line.
Quick Recap
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