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Someone noticed the previous post about purchasing loose teas and asked me for a source.<\/p>\nSomeone noticed the previous post about purchasing loose teas and asked me for a source.<\/p>\n
In Texas, I have found a decent selection of loose teas at Central Market<\/a>, Whole Foods<\/a> and Sun Harvest<\/a>. You have to be careful about how they are stored. You don’t want them exposed to light or air (such as in clear plastic bins at bulk purchase centers).<\/p>\n Much to my delight, at the occasional Kroger<\/a>, HEB<\/a> and Albertsons<\/a>, you will find Twinnings<\/a> tea in loose form in nice<\/a> tins. If you take the time to compare, you likely will find that this nice<\/a> English loose tea costs no more, if not less, than domestic bagged teas. When they empty, you have a nice<\/a> container to hold other stuff (or future loose tea purchases that do not come in tins).<\/p>\n Just recently, I have started seeing loose Lipton<\/a> tea at Wal-Mart<\/a>, HEB<\/a> and Kroger<\/a>, perhaps Albertsons<\/a> as well as it has been some time since I have been in one (come back to San Antonio!). I don’t know if this is due to the introduction of the iced tea maker or not. I honestly thought those machines had already come and gone.<\/p>\n I love a good cup of tea, but I am not a snob. Most people just want a tasty cup of tea that is not bitter as hell and doesn’t cost them arm and a leg. Most people do not want to have to perform some tea-o-phile, monastic ceremony to make a cup of tea. So, I warn you, some of the places mentioned from here on out lean to the phobic, but are worth checking out.<\/p>\n For those of you in the lifted pinkie department, the Dallas Morning News’ Guideline.com <\/a>has a host of tea houses for traditional afternoon teas. Now, there idea of an “anytime” afternoon treat is a bit more pricey than my “anytime” price. However, there are some very interesting spots. Lavender House<\/a> offers a beginning tea education on its website.<\/p>\n Another place I have heard of is the Gypsy Rose Tea Room<\/a>.<\/p>\n In San Antonio, try out British Senations<\/a>, both the shop and the tea room. It’s a delightful break from the routine.<\/p>\n If you are looking for tea and accessories and all the goodies, you might see if you have a Teavana<\/a> shop nearby (Dallas-Fort Worth does). On some of the online chats<\/a> I have seen mixed reviews of the stores. However, they offer teas and accessories and a payback program<\/a> where 1% of their profits go back to aid tea growing areas.<\/p>\n They have a complete starter set<\/a> with different teas and all the stuff needed, including a good conscience, all for (GAK!) $199.99 – but you are helping poor tea farmers (and probably a few well off ones as well).<\/p>\n You can find even more on the websites of the tea companies. My favorite is Twinnings<\/a>, probably because it is the most consistent brand I have found in everyday shopping. Maybe it is because I like the tins. The site has histories, how-to’s and a host of information and, of course, teas and goodies to buy.<\/p>\n Republic of Tea<\/a> offers a wealth of knowledge and all things tea at its site. <\/a><\/p>\n Adagio Teas<\/a> offers up its teas, accessories and offers a live chat with a tea expert, not to be confused with its <\/a>tea forums.<\/a><\/p>\n The Mighty Leaf<\/a> offers a wealth of information about its wealth of teas. It also has a locator so you can find where its products are offered locally.<\/p>\n Searching also came up with The English Tea Store<\/a>, Sun Rich Teas<\/a>, Tea Guide<\/a> (with listings of tea rooms in USA, Canada, England and – they say – worldwide) and TeaGschwendner<\/a> (a German outfit, but with US locations and English website). That’s without any real trying, so there is plenty out there. Enjoy!<\/p>\n