Best (hot) tea you've ever had?

[blueridgewoman]

I'm on a quest for the best tea... I like strong (nearly bitter), dark, black teas and herb-y herbal teas. I don't like flowery flavors or fruity stuff.

I have an amazon gift card coming and I wanted to splurge and get myself some really yummy tea-- give me your suggestions!!!

I don't want to spend a ton of money, but more than Celestial Seasonings, kwim? I think I'm going to get some Mighty Leaf vanilla bean, but not sure what else.

I'm also in search of a really good, really authentic chai.

[Turtlecouple]

I love, love Teavana!! Not sure if Amazon sells it though...

[choli]

Yorkshire Gold. Or Barry's Gold Label.

[hippiechickinsing]

I love Numi Breakfast Blend or Chinese Breakfast. Both blends are smooth, strong black teas. i like the Numi teas because they're strong without the bitterness.

[mumkimum]

I've really enjoyed several republic of tea - favorites being their assam, raspberry quince (that one is mildly sweet, but very good), and blueberry (earthy & warm).
If you haven't tried lapsang souchong (twinnings has a good one), consider that.
Stash has a really good (even if you don't like green teas) black/green blend (fusion breakfast I think?) sometimes hard to find, good to order.

Herbal-wise, teavana has some great blends. I like stash's licorice-mint too, R of tea's cardamom cinnamon, and zhena gypsy tea italian chamomile.
Always wanted to try harney & son's lavender or yellow & blue tea.

(I feel like this got sorta long winded. . . and now I need a cup of tea myself. )

[JessicaS]

I like teavana's black jasmine

http://www.teavana.com/The-Teas/Blac...-Black-Tea.axd

It might seem expensive but loose tea can be used more than once

[erratum]

it's really more of an herbal coffee substitute, but I really, really LOVE teeccino.
Roastaroma is good, too. (obviously I have an "i miss coffee" theme here.)

[Drummer's Wife]

I LOVE Stash green chai tea, and drink it daily. It's probably not what you are looking for, but, really, it is so dang good I have a hard time believing someone wouldn't like it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CQ...489336&sr=8-12

They also have a black spice chai tea - I think I'll have to try that one. And thanks for reminding me that I have a $25 Amazon GC to use.

[Ellp]

I think its by "Stash", called "Awake". Its makes a dark, strong tea thats great for first thing in the morning, hence the name.

I also like their "Calm" tea. Its got camemille(?) with a hint of mint. Really nice for the end of the day.

[JessicaS]

I do like the Stash with the double bergamont

[Addie]

Originally Posted by Ellp

I think its by "Stash", called "Awake". Its makes a dark, strong tea thats great for first thing in the morning, hence the name.

I also like their "Calm" tea. Its got camemille(?) with a hint of mint. Really nice for the end of the day.

These are both by Tazo. It's the tea brand used at Starbucks.

For everyday black tea, I like PG Tips, a British brand. It's not too expensive on Amazon. I recently got some Mighty Leaf green and white teas as a gift, it's pretty good. For general tea flavors, my favorites are Earl Grey (black, bergamot, citrus), lapsang souchong (black and really smoky - like drinking a campfire) and gen mai cha (green, roasted with rice and popcorn! roasty-toasty).

If you have a giftcard to use up, might I suggest going for looseleaf tea? Get yourself a little pot - those teaball strainers are not great. Then if you find a local tea shop you can buy small quantities to try before committing. HFSs often sell bulk tea as well.

[Ellp]

Originally Posted by Addie

These are both by Tazo. It's the tea brand used at Starbucks.

Right! Thats it! I don't go to Starbucks though so I wasn't aware it was one of the brands they carried.

The first time I had it was in a fancy hotel in Whistler, BC. Dh's work sent him there and I tagged along. There's nothing like sipping a cup of tea on the balcony, in the early morning mist of the beginning of summer, surrounded by evergreens, mountains and fresh air. D Maybe that's why that tea's my favourite, it brings back memories...

[Chamomile Girl]

I second the Yorkshire Gold recommendation. That stuff is the closest I have found in the US to the British real deal. They keep all the good stuff for themselves y'know .

Other stuff already mentioned: Republic of Tea's Black Breakfast Tea and Numi Breakfast Blend are both good. I find Stash to be kind of Meh. Rishi makes my favorite chai blend, but its looseleaf.

I used to be a tea buyer for Whole Foods so I've tried many many kinds. It was a fun job perk.

[Arduinna]

Teavana's Almond Biscotti is an awesome black tea. I love it with milk and a little simple syrup or honey.

I'm not sure I can recommend an herbal tea for you since I love fruity and floral ones.

[Shantimama]

I like Stash teas and Gypsy teas

[blueridgewoman]

Awesome suggestions!!! I have a little list going now on Amazon and each time I get a gift certificate (I do swagbucks and I have prime shipping, which is an awesome combination), I'll buy another type! Yorkshire Gold and Rishi's chai are top on my list though...

I love PG tips too- that's what I have now, actually. Strong and full and I can brew it almost to the point of bitterness and still have it taste amazing. Yummmm.

Its funny, I am REALLY not a fan of Stash. I don't know what it is.... Hmmmm.... Love all the stuff I've had from Numi (their Dry Desert Lime is oddly wonderful), and I like Zhena's gypsy teas as well. Rishi seems to have great quality things too.

I wish I could do some sort of thing like teechino-- I think it has gluten in it though, am I right?

[griffin2004]

I don't know if Amazon carries it, but Marco Polo tea by Mariage Freres is THE BEST black tea I've ever had.

[dentmom]

Mighty Tea
Expensive but amazingly good

[firecat]

Originally Posted by hippiechickinsing

I love Numi Breakfast Blend...

Yep, I love this one too. And I like their Chai blend.

eta: I've also recently tried the Numi Emperor's Puerh and it's pretty good, although I had to be careful not to brew it too long.

[philomom]

Originally Posted by abimommy

I do like the Stash with the double bergamont

I do ladies tea at my house once month in the rainy season. That double bergamot tea is the only tea that makes the cut for my crowd.

http://www.stashtea.com/products/Dou...Black+Tea.aspx