this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2024
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Tea

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Good day all!

I haven't been into tea since Starbucks bought my favourite tea store quite a while back. looking to get back into regularly brewing some. West coast USA here if that helps narrow it down.

Thanks in advance.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Ok just being on the west coast doesn’t narrow this topic down at all.

Are you looking for prepared tea, loose leaf, or bubble tea? Depending on which city you are close to there are tons of great local options.

For loose leaf tea in bulk, I usually go to an Asian grocery store. They tend to have pretty affordable loose leaf options that a tasty.

When looking for something specific, I try and find a local tea shop to browse the loose leaf variety.

If you’re in a pinch and need some bagged tea, most grocery stores carry Celestial Seasonings. Their herbal teas rock, my favorite is the peppermint!

[–] ScientifficDoggo 4 points 2 months ago

I was just putting out a feeler to see what the popular options are at the moment. Loose leaf tea is preferable as I'd like to get some mileage out of this teapot I was gifted.

I'll have to prowl some of the Asian supermarkets then. I completely overlooked this, thanks for mentioning.

I second you on the Celestial Seasons peppermint btw, stuffs tasty.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

99% of what I drink is Ceylon and my supplier is my local middle eastern stores. Pick up pound of loose leaves every now and then, brand varies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

I get matcha from ippodotea and i get my oolongs from farmer leaf.

I cant recommend any others yet since i havent found a very good store for general teas like black, puer, etc

Try to stay away from youtuber sellers since they mark up their prices like crazy

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Some global options which I have myself tried:

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Tea Adventures has a long list of online stores that sell tea and teaware. There’s a search field that can be used to filter the list. For example, a search for “teaw states” gives a list of stores in The United States that sells teaware.

https://tea-adventures.net/online-tea-shops/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Looks like a nice resource, thanks!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My partner likes to order her bulk teas from https://urban-teahouse.com/ in Oklahoma.

[–] ScientifficDoggo 3 points 2 months ago

Thanks for this, I'll check it out!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My favorite cold tea is Celestial Seasonings' Sangria Zinger & Black Cherry Berry. In the colder months i drink, peppermint, candycane lane, or Bengal spice.

[–] ScientifficDoggo 2 points 2 months ago

I haven't tried the Sangria Zinger yet, I'll be sure to look out for it so I can try.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Anyone have any suggestions for bulk options in the Netherlands?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Can recommend https://yunnansourcing.com/

Sort by best sellers and have a browse, or maybe try a sampler. I've never been disappointed with an order. Consider trying one of my personal favorites- Lapsang pinewood smoked black tea. It's absolutely lovely~

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

My last batch I bought was from a worker-owned farm in India.

[–] k0mprssd 2 points 2 months ago

theres a local tea shop in seattle that I enjoy going to. they have a website for online orders too!

https://vitaltealeaf.net/#

p.s. - if youre ever in the area, visit the location on king street. the sweetest old lady works there and shes super passionate about tea.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

I've been liking Yuuki Cha (yuuki-cha.com) - organic Japanese teas. And heretically enough I've been doing cool water infusion. It's great!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

I grab mine from https://www.therathertastyteapeople.co.uk/ but I feel they need bigger refills

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm a fan of Tea Cozy in Sacramento, CA. They have some quality teas. I've gone a couple times in person but mostly buy online. https://www.teacozy.biz/

[–] ScientifficDoggo 2 points 2 months ago

Awesome! thanks for the info. I'll check them out as well.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

My go to is Tao of Tea from PNW.

https://taooftea.com