Teavana and teas

[la bicicleta]

I found out that tea bags do not compare to fresh tea leaves.

After "passing" by Teavana in the mall for a few years; I finally took note! I actually went inside the unique shop. I tried a sample of the Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls (green tea) and Rooibos Tropica blend. I bought it. I soon returned for the Strawberry Kiwi (iced), and the very pricey Monkey Picked Oolong.

I love their must-have accessories: The Perfect Tea Maker, measuring spoon, and tins. The German Rock Cane Sugar is delish!

I just placed an order online at teavana.com for other flavors I read reviews about.

Any Teavana junkies?

How many cups of tea do you drink on average?

I stopped drinking Coke (cold turkey) in August 2007. I was consuming about 3 - 5 cans daily. I'm now turned off by high-fructose corn syrup! I'll probably have one sooner or later...just not now. Honestly, even I'm surprised that I don't miss it.

[LoriO]

Hubby and I recently got introduced to Adagio Teas and the wonders of fresh loose teas. www.adagio.com

I have found that I am drinking a lot more tea then I used to becuae the flavor is just so nice. I really like their White Tropics Tea and the Green mandarin. Ummm Ummmmm

Now I need to go check out Teavana!

[Zen]

I love their must-have accessories...

Must-have accessories?
It almost sounds like you work for them

[la bicicleta]

The tea experience wouldn't be the same.

[Blueberry]

I love loose tea - I gave up coffee completely, as it would upset my stomach, and haven't looked back. I do buy from Teavana (have only purchased in the store in the DC area, not online yet). They have a lovely strawberry pu erh which always settles my stomach. I do limit the teas I buy from them, as they are generally higher in price than some of their competitors for equivalent quality, so I only buy when it's something I can't get elsewhere. I also buy tea from Harney and Sons (generally by the pound), Upton Tea and Specialteas. I've also purchased from Adagio and Mighty Leaf. I was surprised to see Adagio in Target the other day - along with their house brand of loose tea.

We did a great tea swap over on another thread - I have 2 lovely teas from the UK that I've been really enjoying as a change of pace.

Happy Friday everybody!

CA

[Thorn]

How many cups? You measure drinking of tea in cups/day? Not liters/day? Oops

I'm a heavy tea drinker--just ask the dental hygenist who screams when they see my teeth (tea is great for the body and soul, but wreaks havoc on tooth color).

My favorite tea source, though, is Harney & Sons ( http://www.harney.com ). We've tried many, but Harney's quality won us over. I really like their blends, but every time we order, we experiment with a different green or black.

If a tea drinker ever visits London, you have to stop at the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee ( http://www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk/ ). The museum is fun and their house blend is quite nice. [[Note: I always stop at "specialty" museums when I travel and can lay claim to museums for tea, mustard, chocolate, walnuts, perfume, olive oil, glass, and, of course, bicycles]]

[bmccasland]

If a tea drinker ever visits London, you have to stop at the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee ( http://www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk/ ). The museum is fun and their house blend is quite nice. [[Note: I always stop at "specialty" museums when I travel and can lay claim to museums for tea, mustard, chocolate, walnuts, perfume, olive oil, glass, and, of course, bicycles]]

You need to add the wine museum in Paris to your travel wish list.

[Thorn]

You need to add the wine museum in Paris to your travel wish list.

Ooooo...really? Yes, that is a must-visit museum....if I tell DH that we were in Paris and didn't find it he'll be heart-broken.

Thanks!!!

[Eden]

If a tea drinker ever visits London, you have to stop at the Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee ( http://www.teaandcoffeemuseum.co.uk/ ). The museum is fun and their house blend is quite nice. [[Note: I always stop at "specialty" museums when I travel and can lay claim to museums for tea, mustard, chocolate, walnuts, perfume, olive oil, glass, and, of course, bicycles]]

It still exists!! My husband and I stumbled across this the first time we were in London. I bought the best tea I've ever had in all my life there (It was Darjeeling so smooth and sweet that I didn't need to put sugar in it) The next time we were in Europe we scheduled an overnight layover in London just so we could go back and it was gone I guess they must have moved.

I'm lucky enough to have several really great tea shops right here in town. The one I've been getting tea from recently, The Teacup www.seattleteacup.com, even does some of their own blends. They do a superb Chai and have an extra strong Earl Grey to die for. I really like the strong and a little smoky Yunnan Black as well. I can get great green teas at the many Asian markets in town too.

[Pax]

Another Teavana fan here, I love the peach oolong!

[Blueberry]

Another Teavana fan here, I love the peach oolong!

That's the other one I buy there We don't make it up to DC (the nearest store to us) that often, so I currently have 8 oz. (yes I know I can mail order, but I prefer to buy in person for some reason).

[la bicicleta]

I ordered online because I found out that the tins they sell also come in a smaller size (3 oz). They do not carry this size in the mall. I think the tins in the store are way too large & take up space - if you are only buying minimum ounces of tea.

[LoriO]

ooooh, that peach oolong sounds good, I may have to try that one!

[Pax]

ooooh, that peach oolong sounds good, I may have to try that one!

I don't normally drink flavored teas but the peach oolong is wonderful!! I add in a little honey and curl up under a throw...and winter goes away!

[KnottedYet]

I buy jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls here at the Pike Place Market. I love watching the "pearls" unroll into delicate branches and leaves. Such a lovely smell and taste, the friend who got me hooked on it says it's like drinking perfume.

Pu-Erh is just the opposite, hearty and deep. I haven't had any in a long time, but I was just reminded of it from Eden's link. Used to go to Teahouse Kuan Yin back in the late 1980's, but then Miranda and Frank sold it... I'll have to check out Seattle Teacup now, thanks Eden!