Inspired by the coffee snob thread, what's your go to tea?
There isn't much of a variety here so im stuck with Twinnings Green Tea and a Twinnings Roibos blend.
Just like coffee, check out single estate specialty teas. I don't know much about Chinese/green tea but for black tea, a few popular brands like Twinnings and Dilmah now have them so they are available. And if you search stores which ship worldwide will pop up.
Look at Darjeeling/Assam varieties and the different flushes/plantings per year. If you're going to buy from Twinnings or Dilmah, don't get the Oolong or other Chinese styles since its not their specialty, I could be wrong but I'm not bothered to try them yet.
Skip the blends and flavored/scented teas (earl grey, jasmine) at least for now.
Yerbe Mate.
In the US, Republic of Tea is a better source than Twinings for more varieties of tea like "biodynamic" (more sustainable) Darjeeling. They also have good blends like Three Gardens.
My favorite tea is currently still Taylor's of Harrogate - Yorkshire Gold blend.
Indeed it is Yerba Mate, mate. Arrrr!It's Yerba Mate...
Indeed it is Yerba Mate, mate. Arrrr!
Does that qualify as tea? I don't think there is any actual tea in that. Had plenty of it when I lived in Buenos Aires.
No, and neither do rooibos or herbal teas qualify if you are being strict about the definition. But yerba mate does have caffeine so it's a little closer to true tea (camellia sinensis) in that regard.