This page is an attempt to organize and consolidate all of the best teas I’ve come across. I mostly enjoy regular teas (caffeinated, non-herbal), and am in general most excited by Black teas, although I’m very enthusiastic about Pu-erhs and Oolongs as well. My trips to China and Japan, as well as the books The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide by Mary and Robert Heiss and The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura have been crucial components in my cultivation of tea skills, experience, and mindset. Both books are highly recommended, as is the travel, of course.
While nothing can beat talking face to face with a good merchant and smelling and tasting tea before purchasing, I have found a few great online sources as well, each of which has yielded some of my favorite teas.
Black
- Nepal Everest Dark Heart - Tea Trekker
- Glenburn Tea Estate ‘Moonshine’ Darjeeling - Tea Trekker
- clean, “green”, light, refreshing
- Yunnan Jumbo Golden Buds - Tea Trekker
- full, classic yunnan golden
- Yunnan Pearl - Red Blossom Tea
- my first favorite black, smoky, full, with a fruity undertone
- Ruby Red 18 - Wangdechuan Tea House
- Taiwanese, light, great depth, basically perfect
- Formosa Red #18 Mi Xiang - Red Blossom Tea
- Taiwanese, very different from the Ruby Red 18 ^^, nutty, very deep sweetness but not overwhelming, viscous aftertaste
- Yunnan Golden Tips - MemTea
- honey-like smooth-but-kinda-heavy, great after-breath, light but very full
- Thai Clear Heart No. 17 - Spirit Tea
- rusty, earthy-fruity base, bright but substantive
- A personal English breakfast style blend (~7:1 ratio) of Yunnan Golden Sprouting Buds and Assam Tippy Breakfast T.G.F.O.P. - Tea Trekker
- buttery, woody, and creamy
Pu-erh
Oolong
