Top Ten Teas 2024
Back in 2010 I wrote a 13 part series on Tea, back then I was huge into loose-leaf teas and herbal blends. I had a large stash at the office and at home. And I tended to alternate coffee and tea all day long. Often making one of each and drinking the coffee and then the tea. My favourite tea’s back then were mostly from Teaopia a Canadian tea chain found in malls and storefronts across Canada. Within a few years Teaopia was purchased by Teavana in 2012 later that same year Starbuck’s purchased Teavana, and ended their long time partnership with Tazo Tea. When Teavana first purchased Teaopia they committed to carrying the Top 20 teas from Teaopia, once Starbuck’s purchased them those blends disappeared. And not long after Starbuck’s shuttered the stand alone Teavana stores. So I switched to David’s Tea, There were many blends from David’s I enjoyed. I could walk downtown at lunch from work, try a new tea, and pick up a tin if I enjoyed it. Or just stock up on ones that needed refilling. At the beginning of the pandemic almost my entire collection at home and work was David’s Tea’s. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, they closed most of their retail stores. And without that local presence I used up what I had and never got around to replacing them.
Also for the first three years of the pandemic I switched from alternating coffee and tea to drink almost exclusively coffee I was having 4-8 quad americanos a day from my home espresso machine. Which brings us to the here and now in 2024 I have gone the better part of a year with only a handful of coffee’s. In 2023 I created a Top Ten Tea List but with having a mug on the go from the time I get up until the time I go to bed I have tried a number of new ones. Here is my list of Top Ten Teas 2024, My current favourite teas are:
1. Stash Moroccan Mint Tea
Green tea, spearmint, lemongrass, peppermint.
This is an excellent blend. I drink it almost daily. It never disappoints. It is a perfect blend of the four ingredients. I often have this as a first mug of the day.
2. Stash Peppermint Tea
Peppermint
This one is so refreshing. Even once the mug is cold or has been left on the desk for hours it has an amazing flavour. I put the bag in the cup, and it stays until I have finished. I have at least 1 mug of this a day
3. Stash Super Mint Tea
Wild mint.
This is a softer flavour than the Peppermint, but it is extremely pleasing to the palate. It is a wonderful tea and I have at least 1 mug a day.
4. Stash Christmas Eve (Seasonal)
Cinnamon, orange peel, spearmint, vanilla extract, orange oil, natural cinnamon flavour, natural clove flavour.
I fell in love with this tea, when the health food store had it on sale after Christmas I bought their whole stock. It won’t last me the year, but currently one of my favourite teas. This is frequently my second mug of the day. Stock up while it is available.
5. Twinings Irish Breakfast
Black tea.
I have been drinking this tea as long as I can remember. It was Gram’s favourite, and I am not sure she ever drank anything else at home. Every time I sip this it is like sitting at nana’s and having fresh scones from the oven.
6. Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey
Blended black teas, bergamot oil.
This one has been a long-time favourite, it and the Irish Breakfast are the only two I am still drinking from 10 years ago. It is Earl Grey with extra oomph.
7. Twinings Lemon Ginger
Ginger root, lemon and ginger flavours naturally fortified, lemongrass, linden, lemon peel, blackberry leaves, citric acid.
It is a pretty close call between the Twinings and Stash Lemon Ginger. But the price point for Twinings is better when on sale or a popup at Costco. It is great with honey, or just by itself. And it is always popular with guests.
8. Stash Sunny Orange Ginger
Orange peel, ginger root, hibiscus, liquorice root, safflower, orange oil, citric acid.
Lemon Ginger is always popular this is its kinder gentler little brother. It is softer with more subtle flavours, less in your face and more by your side. Great in the evening or while lounging with a book.
9. Twinings Soothing Turmeric
Turmeric root, lemongrass, star anise, liquorice root, orange flavour, naturally fortified, orange peel.
This has a very different taste from the tea above. But Turmeric is still the main ingredient. This one is smoother.
10. Twinings Honeybush, Mandarin, & Orange
Honeybush, orange and mandarin flavours naturally fortified.
This one is subtle as well. My youngest children love making me a tea and having me guess at the flavour. Sometimes I mix this up by the smell but never by the taste.
My taste in teas has changed a lot over the years. But I tend to prefer herbal blends, and teas with a bit of a kick. Once I drank almost all white or African red bush teas (Rooibos). And I love a good Monk’s Blend just have not found one to my taste now. For a little over a decade, I drank almost exclusively loose-leaf tea. But not I keep about 16 types of bagged tea. With the ones listed above in high rotation. I am currently drinking between 3 and 10, 16 ounce mugs a day.
I also used to drink a lot of tea from Republic of Tea but find tracking it down in Canada is too difficult. And I have heard amazing things about Adagio Tea but have only tried one or two cups at friends. Let me know what you think of my selections above and drop your favourite teas in the comments below.
Related Articles:
0. Tea Tea Everywhere - Teaopia Mad Hatter Tea Party
1. Tea an Overview
2. Red Teas
3. Green Teas
4. White Teas
5. Black Teas
6. Matcha Tea
7. Yerba Mate
8. Fruit Blends
9. Wellness Blends
10. Herbal Teas
11. Purveyors of Fine Tea (my preferences.)
12. Custom Blending
13. My Favourite Teas
Top Ten Teas of 2010
0. Tea Tea Everywhere - Teaopia Mad Hatter Tea Party
1. Tea an Overview
2. Red Teas
3. Green Teas
4. White Teas
5. Black Teas
6. Matcha Tea
7. Yerba Mate
8. Fruit Blends
9. Wellness Blends
10. Herbal Teas
11. Purveyors of Fine Tea (my preferences.)
12. Custom Blending
13. My Favourite Teas
Top Ten Teas of 2010
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"Now we can travel with more books stored in our telephones than the ancient Egyptians kept in their vast library at Alexandria."
Mike Aquilina
“No tea cup is big enough nor book long enough for me to be satisfied.”
C.S. Lewis
"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left over I buy food and clothes!"
Erasmus
My desk pre-pandemic at the office with a collection of teas on the left side of the monitors.
1 comment:
I forced myself to become a tea drinker many moons ago in order to drink something more healthy than hot cocoa, as I’ve never like coffee. I drink Republic of Tea double matcha or Brain Boost, both green teas. My husband will make me Lady Grey every once in a while with milk and sugar, and I’ve liked Good Earth’s Sweet and Spicy tea forever. It’s maybe getting a little too sweet now in my older age, lol. When I’m sick, I always have Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat with honey. I also buy a lot of various Yogi teas.
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