# Can anyone suggest a GREAT tea? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 3, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592 "2005-10-03T15:56:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/21 "2005-10-03T19:39:34Z")
Check out some of the Tazo offerings - they do some really nice flavor blends with fruits, herbs, etc. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/22 "2005-10-03T20:58:41Z")
I love Adagio’s teas. The last time I ordered online, I chose [www.specialteas.com](http://www.specialteas.com) They had some neat flavors, though their pouch packaging isn’t as nice as Adagio’s little tins. I got: Rooibos Savannah: with almost, cocoa, and rum Rooibus Macadamia: with (surprise!) macadamias Coconut Vanilla Chai Masala and Winter Blend Their catalog has some teas that are $70/pound and more. I’ve never tried anything that dear. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/23 "2005-10-03T21:53:01Z")
I’ll third **PookahMacPhellimey** and **Dumokun**. For straight-up-and-down tay rather than anything poncey, Barry’s is your man… But which sort? I’m currently alternating between Gold Blend teabags (which, Irishly, comes in a red box) and Classic Blend teabags. I bought 80 of each last time I was in Ireland - I cannot find anywhere that sells Barry’s where I live although I am probably not looking hard enough. Important: leave the bag in for at least 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Schuyler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@Schuyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schuyler)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/24 "2005-10-03T22:24:00Z")
> [@sj2](#): > > First look at my location… 🙂 > > Then google Market Spice Tea. It is a very stong black tea that my husband just loves. Good one - I came in just to make this specific recommendation! Seriously, try Market Spice Tea (it has a wonderfully full, complex flavor) at some point in your search. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/25 "2005-10-03T22:57:44Z")
The great Alton Brown expounds on tea [here](http://www.goodeatsfanpage.com/Season4/Tea/TeaTranscript.htm). More than I ever knew there was to know about tea. Tazo Tea shop, featured in the episode, has a [website](http://www.tazo.com/default.asp?bhcp=1). ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/26 "2005-10-03T23:11:59Z")
> [@GrahamWellington](#): > > By the way, does anyone “really” like the taste of green tea? Yes. Why don’t you? What’s wrong with it? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/27 "2005-10-04T00:52:24Z")
You can also make tea in a French Press (usually used for coffee). The screen/press thing is excellent for straining out the leaves. There’s plenty of room for the leaves to bloom and brew. No need for a tea ball. I have two FPs - one for coffee and one for tea. Earl Grey is my personal favorite, but I agree that it can vary wildly from brand to brand; Twinings is my favorite. I think the Tazo is too perfume-y tasting - it’s just not appealing to me. I think it has an off-taste. Twinings is just rich and full-bodied - very tasty. Stash is good, too, but Twinings is better. Stash makes a wonderful Chai, though. Twining’s English Breakfast is great, too. I’m not a fan of herbal or green teas, so I can’t give any advice there. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/28 "2005-10-04T00:59:11Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > You cannot find great tea in bags. I used to think that, too, but [Mighty Leaf](http://www.mightyleaf.com/) makes some excellent bagged tea; none of that dusty leavings and stems in a tissue paper bag, but actual whole bloody leaves in a fine mesh. All thinks being equal, loose leaves are preferred, but when I don’t want to carry a whole kit (the security people at the airport just don’t know what to make of a filter; is it a microphone, or a rabbit, or what?) then a few sealed bags of this work well, and they’re sealed so they tend to last longer out of the tin than loose leaves. As for type, I prefer Earl Grey or an English or Irish breakfast tea for black tea, and matcha (or if I’m feeling particularly cavelier, genmaicha) for green tea. Eschew “herbal” teas (tisane). Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/29 "2005-10-04T01:15:25Z")
Oooh, thanks for the link, **Stranger**! Looks intriguing! ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/30 "2005-10-04T01:22:26Z")
> [@seosamh](#): > > I’ll third **PookahMacPhellimey** and **Dumokun**. For straight-up-and-down tay rather than anything poncey, Barry’s is your man… > > But which sort? I’m currently alternating between Gold Blend teabags (which, Irishly, comes in a red box) and Classic Blend teabags. I bought 80 of each last time I was in Ireland - I cannot find anywhere that sells Barry’s where I live although I am probably not looking hard enough. > > Important: leave the bag in for at least 5 minutes. Are you in the US? There are certainly mail order firms that sell imported British and Irish teas of all sorts. British Express is my preferred connection for Barry’s. Not cheap, but cheaper than a flight to Britain or Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![GrahamWellington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/54ee81/32.png) [@GrahamWellington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrahamWellington)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/31 "2005-10-04T02:51:52Z")
> [@Podkayne](#): > > Yes. Why don’t you? What’s wrong with it? Methinks it doesn’t taste very good. ---
**Author:** ![Treviathan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/838e76/32.png) [@Treviathan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treviathan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/32 "2005-10-04T03:31:57Z")
> [@GrahamWellington](#): > > Methinks it doesn’t taste very good. How long are you letting it steep for? From personal experience, any bagged green tea that I’ve steeped for longer than about three minutes tastes like it’s been wrung out of a wet golden retreiver. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/33 "2005-10-04T04:54:35Z")
These are my two very, very, very favorite teas. If you happen to know someone in SE Asia they can go to the grocery store and buy you Boh Tea. It comes from the Cameron Highlands of beautiful Malaysia. I have never found it in North America and I haunt Asian markets. It’s just a lovely, smooth and slightly exotic tea with a suble background spicyness. Secondly, and much easier to find, is a variety of Lipton (just hear me out) which I’ve only seen heretofore in Asian groceries, it’s called Yellow Label. I first had it in Asia but was delighted when I could finally purchase it in North America. It’s a really charming and unassuming, honest, really high quality tea. Look for it, definitely worth it. Be sure to let us know what you try and how you like it, tea drinkers want to know. ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/34 "2005-10-04T09:47:36Z")
> [@ryobserver](#): > > Are you in the US? Nope - I live in London. I go to Ireland about 4 times each year to visit relatives and always bring back a supply of teabags. The price of 80 teabags; source: Dunnes Stores, Kilkenny, Sunday 11th September 2005: Barry’s Gold Blend €2.77 [about $3.30]; Barry’s Classic Blend €3.11 [$3.71]. ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/35 "2005-10-04T11:21:03Z")
My default teas are Bigelow’s Constant Comment or Twining’s Lady Grey. For pure indulgence, I have some [Revolution](http://www.revolutiontea.com/) Dragoneye. Very aromatic and fruity, smooth and soothing. Revolution’s nylon pyramid bags are large enough to let the tea and other goodies swell up while steeping which makes for a more flavorful tea. Quality stuff, that. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/36 "2005-10-04T12:41:22Z")
I am ass-u-ming that you’re into hot teas. I have found the absolute nirvana of iced teas in a bottle called Tejava. Mmmmmm caffeiney goodness! ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/37 "2005-10-04T12:48:02Z")
> [@GrahamWellington](#): > > Again, All, thanks for the input! > > I in fact did order from Adios teas. Looking forward to trying some of their stuff soon. By the way, does anyone “really” like the taste of green tea? O yes, O yes! Especially with rice. I don’t really understand the “green tea with brown rice” thing, but I like it a lot. I just use a pinch and by the time the tea has cooled to drinkable temperature, it’s perfect. (And by the time it’s gotten any stronger than that, the tea has been already been drunk.) ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/38 "2005-10-04T13:02:39Z")
> [@GrahamWellington](#): > > Methinks it doesn’t taste very good. Can you be more specific? Do you think it’s too bitter? Too “grassy”? Not enough flavor? If you can tell us what you don’t like about the greens you’ve had, maybe we can suggest something you will like. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/39 "2005-10-04T13:24:04Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > Kalahari Reserve Rooibos. > > That’s red tea. No, that is not. Rooibos isn’t any kind of tea. It’s its own infusion. Nothing “tea” about it. [Read More here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos). Sorry, pet peeve of mine. Rooibos is rooibos. just rooibos. “Red Tea” is a kind of/different name for black tea. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592/40 "2005-10-04T14:29:23Z")
No love for Upton Tea? They have a lovely website and they send me a quarterly catalog. I’ve been very happy with them, and they have some really excellent samplers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-suggest-a-great-tea/324592.md?page=3)