I'm looking to get into loose leaf tea! What brands/online shops do you trust when purchasing? I'm usually a black tea + honey guy, but would love to try all types that come with good recs :)

Question

JaperMoon · Answer

Bulk Loose Leaf Tea from your Local Health Food Store: It’s usually quite affordable and the bulk bin situation means you can buy a little bit of many teas, try them, go back for what you like.

I consider it a civic duty to support our local health food stores.

I haven’t been to Health Unlimited in Atlanta but a google search showed a wall of bulk herbs and teas. Enjoy :)

Clara · Answer

Floating Leaves Tea: This place is super legit. I happened to live a couple blocks away right after getting back from a Taiwan trip during which I fell in love with high mountain oolong, and it has a very similar vibe to the tea shops in Taiwan. The owners are lovely and the tea incredibly high quality.

sarah a · Answer

Spice It Up - Elevated Spices & Teas: This is the local tea shop in my town that I get all my loose leaf tea from. Maybe try to find one in your area? It’s fun to go in and ask for advice and sniff all the different types of tea! Love having a cast iron tea pot a well!

Jordan W · Answer

Song Tea - Xan Lin Xi Winter Sprout Tea: Absolutely wild that a loose leaf tea’s tasting notes would include caramelized ginger and kettle corn and they are ACCURATE! This tea will change your mind on what’s possible with tea.

Gina M · Answer

Diaspora Co. Chota Tingrai Black Tea: This black tea is so good.

Gina M · Answer

PARU: Such a good tea company, so many varieties. I’m usually a black tea person, and they have great options. I also like the blue chamomile because it’s so pretty. I once took a tea tasting class with them and learned about the different steeping temperatures for each type, so I recommend looking into that too, especially with loose tea.

Leigh Patterson · Answer

High Desert Sage Tea by Teaography: I buy this in bulk from Taos, NM. Tastes so refreshing but also cozy? It's good hot and iced. The cinnamon is a nice touch.

Aya C · Answer

blue willow tea: We use this tea at our shop and it’s lovely. I’m partial to Jinjumei, Black Sticky Rice and always Earl Grey.

Christine C · Answer

MILKY BLUE ABSOLU: Mariage Frères is best known for their fragrant, floral or fruit forward black and green teas, but they have some really elegant oolongs, Early Grey, and other more traditional teas as well. My favorite is Milky Blue, these dried pearls of tea leaves that turn into a slightly blue tea with a touch of cream.

Mary · Answer

MEM TEA Blue Flower Earl Grey: The best earl grey, my morning cup. Never disappoints

Ginny Branch · Answer

Kettl Shirakawa Houjicha Powder: I prefer black tea too so I enjoy houjicha matcha since it leans nuttier vs grassier flavor profile!

Ginny Branch · Answer

CAP Beauty Hojicha: Super delicious

Ginny Branch · Answer

Bellocq Majorelle Mint: Bellocq forever. Love all their blends and the packaging is divine! They have my most favorite mint tea, hands down.

Martha Tesema · Answer

Malabar from Spirit Tea: This is my favorite tea. It’s so good that I’ve even mailed it to my friends across the country just because I feel like everyone I know needs to try at least one cup.