Any tea experts out there? :)

[The Little White Horse]

Hi all!

So I know it's a bit early, but I'm already hunting for gifts for my fiancé. I'm on a fairly tight budget this year so it's best to get a head start. 

Earlier today he confessed that he loved tea but never bought any from the shops because he doesn't like the ones in packet. (Not sure if I'm making myself clear). So I thought, why not get him some from a tea shop that sells really good tea? Sure, except that I have no idea what to get.

So really my question is, what would you guys recommend? What are your favourite teas? 

Thanks for any help! 

[banditpony]

Oh, man. That's tricky because everyone has different tastes. I know I'm insanely picky about the teas I like. My favorite right now is a korean roasted corn tea.

Can you get a tea sampler/assortment? Like something that includes all sorts of different teas to try so he can pick his own favorite. My tea shop has something like that.

[Kiwi]

I would recommend a sampler pack - gives lots of variety to try.

Might help to know where you are, or what stores you have nearby, to give specific teas (there is a DavidsTea thread already in OT).

[Honeycomb]

I only like non-flavored teas nowadays. Pure green tea.
Does he like those?

[The Little White Horse]

Oh, man. That's tricky because everyone has different tastes. I know I'm insanely picky about the teas I like. My favorite right now is a korean roasted corn tea.

Can you get a tea sampler/assortment? Like something that includes all sorts of different teas to try so he can pick his own favorite. My tea shop has something like that.

I was thinking about that, but I don't have any shops in my town that do that. Is there anywhere online that allows that?

I know that he likes green tea, black tea, and orange flavours.

I would recommend a sampler pack - gives lots of variety to try.

Might help to know where you are, or what stores you have nearby, to give specific teas (there is a DavidsTea thread already in OT).

I should have mentioned that, I'm in France.

I only like non-flavored teas nowadays. Pure green tea.
Does he like those?

Yeah he loves green tea.

[ringwraith10]

Ah, I guess I'm not a tea expert since I usually drink it from the little packets. And I think tea shops are often independently owned (there really aren't any around here where I live -- just lots of coffee shops!).

I can say that my favorite brands are Tazo and Stash. I wonder if either of them are sold loose...?

[Kitkumi]

In my own tea escapades earlier last week, asking for advice and everything, I ran across an online store named Adagio Teas and they are the most amazing place I have ever seen. They do this cool thing where they do 'fandom tea blends' for pretty much EVERY fandom known to man, plus they have a wide selection of basic teas. I can't explain it at all, but I really suggest checking it out. The prices I thought were pretty good (we got a lot of neat sample teas for not a lot of money) and I've liked everything I've tried so far (the fandom blends break down what is in them so I could pick and choose based on what I knew of my likes). The only thing is I don't know if they would ship to France.

[Honeycomb]

You might then want to try out some small Asian tea shops selling loose leaf green tea. Not sure your town or city has those. Or order online (for example from China, lol).

[Beldarna]

Peoples taste in tea is so varied, I can suggest any flavour I like and your fiance might hate them all. Which is why I would also suggest sample packs. But if that's not an option.. how about next town over? Maybe if you google there might be a french or european site that sells tea?

[banditpony]

Oh, man. That's tricky because everyone has different tastes. I know I'm insanely picky about the teas I like. My favorite right now is a korean roasted corn tea.

Can you get a tea sampler/assortment? Like something that includes all sorts of different teas to try so he can pick his own favorite. My tea shop has something like that.

I was thinking about that, but I don't have any shops in my town that do that. Is there anywhere online that allows that?

I know that he likes green tea, black tea, and orange flavours.

yes! Try online if you can't find in stores. I really think a sampler pack is perfect for this gift.

[melodys_angel]

Davids Tea does do seasonal samplers--and will ship out if you are interested.  Though, the teas are usually flavoured and if he likes straight teas it may not be an option.

I would suggest trying to pry his mind a bit.  See what kind of tea he likes.  Falvoured or non? Black, white, green, rooibos? Matcha? Herbal?

Loose leaf over packeted is just the tip of the iceburg <3

ETA: Somehow I missed one of your posts.  Earl grey is black tea with an orang-ish flavor...but you either love or hate it (to me its peppery but others swear by it)

[Cutekitten]

You can also try Kusmi tea, it's an online store and it's available in France. I also agree with what everyone says about getting a sampler. Maybe you can even get a tea infuser as well.

[Sumire]

My favorite tea brand is from France, it's called Mariage Frères. Their teas are amazing! Another French brand I like is Kusmi Tea. I've bought loose leaf tea from both places. Kusmi has the most adorable stacked tea tins if you buy a sampler of their teas.

[kaoskat]

I just try whatever looks interesting.....

[The Little White Horse]

Ah, I guess I'm not a tea expert since I usually drink it from the little packets. And I think tea shops are often independently owned (there really aren't any around here where I live -- just lots of coffee shops!).

I can say that my favorite brands are Tazo and Stash. I wonder if either of them are sold loose...?

I actually haven't heard of either of those brands, but I'll have a hunt next time I'm out.

 

In my own tea escapades earlier last week, asking for advice and everything, I ran across an online store named Adagio Teas and they are the most amazing place I have ever seen. They do this cool thing where they do 'fandom tea blends' for pretty much EVERY fandom known to man, plus they have a wide selection of basic teas. I can't explain it at all, but I really suggest checking it out. The prices I thought were pretty good (we got a lot of neat sample teas for not a lot of money) and I've liked everything I've tried so far (the fandom blends break down what is in them so I could pick and choose based on what I knew of my likes). The only thing is I don't know if they would ship to France.

I completely missed your post (feels silly for starting a new topic ^^). I'm going to check it out now, sound pretty cool. Could be just what I'm looking for. I could always get help if they only shipped to the US so I'm not over-worried about that.

You might then want to try out some small Asian tea shops selling loose leaf green tea. Not sure your town or city has those. Or order online (for example from China, lol).

We do have one asian shop in my town. *marks it down to check it out*

Peoples taste in tea is so varied, I can suggest any flavour I like and your fiance might hate them all. Which is why I would also suggest sample packs. But if that's not an option.. how about next town over? Maybe if you google there might be a french or european site that sells tea?

I know, that's why I asked for advice here, just to really give me a good guideline as in what exists, and where to look because I'm really not a tea drinker.
With all the advice I've gotten here things are taking shape. ^^

Davids Tea does do seasonal samplers--and will ship out if you are interested.  Though, the teas are usually flavoured and if he likes straight teas it may not be an option.

I would suggest trying to pry his mind a bit.  See what kind of tea he likes.  Falvoured or non? Black, white, green, rooibos? Matcha? Herbal?

Loose leaf over packeted is just the tip of the iceburg <3

ETA: Somehow I missed one of your posts.  Earl grey is black tea with an orang-ish flavor...but you either love or hate it (to me its peppery but others swear by it)

I'm really beginning to be convinced by the idea of these sampler packs.

I have be trying to pry his mind, but it's hard because he usually figures out when I'm planning to offer him something. lol  I've managed to find out that he loves black, green. White he has never tried. And he loves Earl Grey. ... So progress is being made.

You can also try Kusmi tea, it's an online store and it's available in France. I also agree with what everyone says about getting a sampler. Maybe you can even get a tea infuser as well.

Yep, Sampler is definitely what I'm going for. And I was thinking about getting an infuser too.
I will look it out.
I'm so glad you've all been able to help me out.

My favorite tea brand is from France, it's called Mariage Frères. Their teas are amazing! Another French brand I like is Kusmi Tea. I've bought loose leaf tea from both places. Kusmi has the most adorable stacked tea tins if you buy a sampler of their teas.

OK... I've lived in France for 15 years, and had never even heard of them lol *adds to list to check out*.

I just try whatever looks interesting.....

If it were for me, that's probably what I would do.


Thank you all for the advice! It has been really helpful!