Your nearest Chinatown?
If there is a big enough Chinese/oriental population, then the shops may have a good selection. There may even be a tea shop or two!
Supermarkets may have some to try to start with, like Assam (strong), Darjeeling (weaker and more fragrant) and Earl Grey (fragrant and delicate).
For Chinese teas, I like Jasmin, Po Lei and Oolong. They can be very expensive depending on their age and whatever.
I also like Japanese green tea, and also green tea with toasted rice which is nutty.
I believe you may be able to get a selection box with mini tins from Amazon as a starter, however, I could be wrong.
Good luck in your search!
DK
I’m a tea person too!!
The Asian marketplace near has an entire aisle devoted to tea, that’s a great idea! I love browsing for things I’ve never had (sometimes don’t even recognize)
For my staples… I’m such a middle-tier snot. I love Republic of Tea. Their stuff is good, I don’t think it’s great, probably, but it’s always baseline good and not super pricey and very very predictable - I know exactly what I’m getting every time I buy. My fave is earl grey with a little vanilla and nutmeg and cinnamon, and steamed milk cut with eggnog…
I have one! It’s super cute and I suspect that may partly be behind her sudden urge to try loose leaf. She also saw cute little gadgets online that were animal shaped strainers you could suspend on the side of cups….so this was intriguing.While out shopping for loose leaf tea in Asian stores, it may be worth looking for a teapot with built in strainer, in case your daughter needs one.
DK
We have an electric kettle, but ours is just boiling. I love the idea of one with various temps! Didn’t know that existed—thank you!!If you have a Japanese market around, they should have a gift section full of world class loose teas in nice packaging.
I recommend Genmaicha (toasted rice green tea) and Ceremonial Matcha (best of the best). If she doesn't already have one, a matcha whisk would be great to accompany the tea.
I also recommend an herbal blend with chamomile, hibiscus, orange peel or rose hip base.
Harney and Son's has a great English Breakfast / Earl Grey.
For a real treat, Tie Guan Yin is one of the most divine and crystal clear oolong teas ever. This variety is expensive but worth it. It's very high end and almost mythically revered for its quality.
If you have a local farmer's market, I would also suggest picking up a jar of local honey.
If she doesn't already have one, a Breville water heater or better yet, a Zojirushi water heater (with settings for 140, 195 and 205 temps) is a great gift for a tea lover.
), no fancy flavours for me, just good old black tea. We put 4000 tea bags in the container when we shipped all our things from the UK. Can’t remember what it was now, either PG Tips or Tetley.
theteapotonwheels.com
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