loose tea leaves?

[Deesknee]

Hi All, My DS20 enjoys a cup of tea. Recently he purchased a (please excuse my ignorance, I am a coffee drinker), cage which holds loose tea leaves. Now he is out of tea leaves. I would like to surprise him with a variety of tea leaves for Christmas, but I have no idea where to get them and would like to NOT get ripped off. I know they have those tea shops at the malls, but they seem very expensive. Am I wrong? Could someone tell me a good, reasonable place to purchase tea leaves, also how to purchase (per ounce, etc.), and about what I should expect to pay? TIA

 

[maggiew]

I sometimes purchase from Teavana at the mall. It is expensive but the tea is good. There might be some reasonably priced tea there, however. I have a particular type that I like, so I only know the price on that one.

When I order tea, I usually order from Harney and Sons. I think their tea is reasonable for loose tea that is good quality.

You can also get some loose tea at the grocery store. Usually it is Twinings. Its not bad tea. And it is inexpensive.

Maggie

 

[dsanner106]

The tea shops are expensive, and we do stock up at the shop in epcot when there and get the big tins. I have had some luck finding loose in square boxes at publix in several brands so you might try there, by far your least expensive option. Amazon had some when I last looked. Prices are all over the place though, just find a type of tea he likes and price compare.

D

 

[Madison'smommy]

We order from http://www.englishteastore.com/. We usually order like 2 times a year and order enough to last. We buy several kinds, and they have all been good. Sometimes I can find a coupon code to get a little off!

http://www.englishteastore.com/earlgreycream.html This is my favorite!!!! My DH drinks several other black teas.... English or Irish breakfast... several others.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

we love Tea! Check out Tearificspices.com. She has some awesome blends! We love Earl Grey and Russian Caravan, they are our favorites

 

[scrapquitler]

I buy loose tea in the bulk foods section of our local food co-op store. If you have a co-op they probably have it. If your grocery store has a bulk foods section they might carry it too. I'm not sure, but it's also possible that Whole Foods might have it (we don't have one near us, so I've only been there a couple of times). Amazon.com has some, too (Lipton, at least, probably more)

 

[manhattan]

I love Teavana - but boy are they expensive. I have seen loose tea at SuperTarget, but I have also seen them at TJ Maxx, Home Goods and Marshalls, at very reasonable prices.

 

[Diabolicdesire]

Oops duplicate post

 

[mom2brina]

For a beginner, I think Teavana is a great way to go because you can smell & usually sample the teas before buying. Another gift you might want to consider is one of their tea travel mugs. I love mine!

 

[cornflake]

Tea is one of those things that seems more expensive than it is, a lot of times, I think. Because it's sold by weight, the prices look very intimidating, but tea leaves weigh very little so even a few ounces is a decent amount.

Prices totally vary based on a ton of factors - type of tea, where it's from, etc., etc. Same as coffee, wine, that kind of thing, you can buy tea that's a few dollars an ounce or tea that's tens of dollars an ounce.

I'd look for a small, independent tea shop in your area. Like wine shops, they'll usually give better service, they're more knowledgable, you can form relationships, etc.

Barring that, you can certainly look around online, you've got some good links in the thread. You might look around the Adagio tea site - they're a tea brand, sell loose and bagged tea online and in markets. I like their stuff, but they also (the link is to their green tea page) have a good site I think. You can look at the quick shop links and see the differences in prices and then read descriptions and reviews to see what the differences are that drive the prices.

Also, not for nothing, but is he using the correct size tea ball? Sometimes, people not familiar, may pick up a pot-sized tea ball and not realize it's meant for whole pots not cups. So... you might throw in a cute tea ball/strainer. There are plenty, some shaped like two spoons clamped together.

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks to everyone for all the wisdom and advice.

Tea is one of those things that seems more expensive than it is, a lot of times, I think. Because it's sold by weight, the prices look very intimidating, but tea leaves weigh very little so even a few ounces is a decent amount.

Prices totally vary based on a ton of factors - type of tea, where it's from, etc., etc. Same as coffee, wine, that kind of thing, you can buy tea that's a few dollars an ounce or tea that's tens of dollars an ounce.

I'd look for a small, independent tea shop in your area. Like wine shops, they'll usually give better service, they're more knowledgable, you can form relationships, etc.

Barring that, you can certainly look around online, you've got some good links in the thread. You might look around the Adagio tea site - they're a tea brand, sell loose and bagged tea online and in markets. I like their stuff, but they also (the link is to their green tea page) have a good site I think. You can look at the quick shop links and see the differences in prices and then read descriptions and reviews to see what the differences are that drive the prices.

Also, not for nothing, but is he using the correct size tea ball? Sometimes, people not familiar, may pick up a pot-sized tea ball and not realize it's meant for whole pots not cups. So... you might throw in a cute tea ball/strainer. There are plenty, some shaped like two spoons clamped together.

He went on a day trip to Salem, MA and apparently was introduced to tea. He seems to know a bit about it. He has a heart shaped tea ball(?) he uses for individual cups. He is partial to blueberry flavored tea. But seems to be interested in trying alot of different flavors. Pesonally, I LOVE the smell when he walks by with a cup of hot tea. Who knows maybe he will convert this coffee drinker.

I like the idea of a travel tea cup. Does it really make a difference what type of travel cup you use. Also, any other tips. Trying to surprise my older children is a challenge, so I am open to any wonderful little gift ideas anyone can throw out at me regarding tea gift ideas!!

 

[dzorn]

http://www.amazon.com/Twinings-Earl...1S/ref=sr_1_40?ie=UTF8&qid=1322752661&sr=8-40

DH stocks up when in EPCOT.

Denise in MI

 

[scra]

Teavana is extremely overpriced for what you get - if you are willing to pay those kinds of prices I think you should seek out a local tea shop that sells loose leaf tea and support small business instead. I would recommend Adagio Teas website (google them). Very cheap shipping and inexpensive teas in tons of different flavors.

You can also find Twinings loose tea in the grocery aisle if your supermarket is well stocked.

For cute gift ideas, there is a "Tea Rex" dinosaur shaped tea infuser available through Amazon. He might love that!

 

[Donnainnj]

Was going to send you to Special Teas, but apparently they changed to Teavana, and now the prices are higher, and some of my families favorite teas are not there anymore. Sorry.
Donna

 

[thebeesknees]

I love Harney and Sons, as well. I got a Christmas blend from them a couple of years ago and it smelled heavenly! This one, I believe. They sell a cup-sized tea strainer that has a lid so you can steep the tea really easily in the cup with the lid on to trap the heat, then turn the lid over and set the strainer on it so you don't get a big mess when you are done steeping. Much easier than a tea ball, in my opinion, since you don't have to try to close it after measuring out your tea.

 

[dakcp2001]

Republic of Tea sells loose tea, you might be able to find a deal on amazon.

 

[pixiewings71]

I love tea...I normally get my tea from Peet's, they have some really great blends!! I LOVE their Golden Oolong and Jasmine teas, those are my favorites from Peet's. I have a travel mug I use, it's not specifically for tea, it looks just like a cup you get from Starbucks, only it's reusable and all white. I love it!! Teavana has some good teas but I myself think they are too $$ so I go to Peet's instead. Also, don't rule out getting him some tea bags, Peet's has some bagged varieties that are very good.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I love Adagio teas. You can buy them online. Their site is very user-friendly. I bought a bunch of the small 3oz bags just to try out some flavors and you get a lot of servings of tea in the bag. I didn't think the price was outrageous.

 

[JennSaint]

Another Harney & sons fan!! Love their Hot cinnamon spice tea! Absolutely delicious. They have a facebook page and will post when the are offering free shipping.

 

[jmunutt]

I go to a local shop that also sells on the web, http://rostovs.com/tea.html . I think their teas are reasonably prices, a small bag goes a long way. The Richmond Blend is my favorite. Their coffees are also delicious (if you want a treat for yourself too )