Where do you buy your herbal teas?

July 29, 2022 6:48 AM

I've recently realized I enjoy spice blend herbal teas and I'm planning to stock up for winter. What vendors/brands do you recommend? I'm looking for loose teas and also tea bags for work.
posted by Constance Mirabella to Food & Drink (20 answers total)

I love Vadham's Vedic Kadha. Depending on where you live, you should be able to buy it directly from their website or via amazon.
posted by bigyellowtaxi at 6:57 AM on July 29, 2022

As someone who has served a lot of tea at community events, Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings is a top favorite in the spiced herbal tea category. Another big favorite is Trader Joe's Turmeric and Ginger tea.
posted by nanook at 7:10 AM on July 29, 2022 [8 favorites]

If you're into ginger tea, the Brooklyn Tea ginger turmeric is the best I've found.
posted by wesleyac at 7:20 AM on July 29, 2022

Yogi Teas are my favourite for spice. I'm not sure where you are, but here are their European and their US spice blend lineups.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 7:22 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Victoria Market.
posted by pompomtom at 7:25 AM on July 29, 2022

Best answer: Bird & Blend Tea have the most AMAZING selection of herbal teas. They are my local and they ship internationally.
posted by atlantica at 7:28 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I love Bird Pick Tea. Their Black Forest Fruit blend feels very autumnal, to me.
posted by shesbookish at 7:32 AM on July 29, 2022

Best answer: HighGarden
posted by oomny at 7:54 AM on July 29, 2022

Best answer: I had a question about teas a few years back that got some nice replies.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:22 AM on July 29, 2022

Rishi Tea
posted by sulaine at 8:23 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Pukka Teas do a selection box.
posted by paduasoy at 8:36 AM on July 29, 2022

As I live in Chinatown, I would head down to my local VitalTea, or give them a call.

On the other hand, they do Chinese tea, and Chinese generally don't add spices and whatnot to the tea. They sometimes do add flowers.
posted by kschang at 8:52 AM on July 29, 2022

Best answer: Harney and sons teas have a plethora of choices. I like the hot cinnamon tea and their peach tea.
posted by MadMadam at 9:01 AM on July 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

The Jasmine Pearl is expensive but so so worth it. I love herbal teas, but these are the first herbal teas I've had that taste as good as they smell. Loose tea only, I believe.
posted by lapis at 9:18 AM on July 29, 2022

At least at this time of year, most of our herbal teas come from the garden. Here are 8 you can grow easily.
posted by rongorongo at 12:58 PM on July 29, 2022

Celestial Seasonings' Bengal Spice is a long time favorite of mine. Similar to masala chai, but uses roasted carob in place of black tea.
posted by ananci at 9:21 PM on July 29, 2022

Best answer: Adagio - seasonal offerings, holiday sales, free gifts, DIY blends available in sampler tins with custom art
The Spice & Tea Exchange
T2 Tea
DAVIDsTEA

Kalustyan's (NYC)
The Black Leaf Tea & Culture Shop (Providence, RI) - also enjoyed their Spotify playlists
Tea Chai Té (Portland, OR)
Lake Missoula Tea Company (Missoula, MT)
Perennial Tea Room (Seattle)
World Spice Merchants (Seattle)
The Random Tea Room (Philadelphia)
Fortnum & Mason (England) and Mariage Frères (France) for more premium but a bit harder to get in the US and less focus on spice blends
Just see what catches your eye (or nose) at local shops and markets, especially if traveling, or even at stores like TJ Maxx or Marshalls

For tea bags, Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Herbal Tea (fox on the box, limited seasonable availability)

You could potentially still do loose leaf for work if you get small containers and a reusable infuser or even disposable tea bags (search Aliexpress for low-cost options) if you want; it can be a nice workplace ritual if feasible. Happy sipping!
posted by eyeball at 12:07 AM on July 30, 2022 [1 favorite]

I really like Higher Living. They have a lot of different flavours, mostly just herbs and spices, but also combined with black or green teas. In one case, there's even coffee beans involved. Personal favourite is the Cocoa & Chilli.
posted by snusmumrik at 3:17 AM on July 30, 2022

Some good recommendations above.

There are various filters for loose tea and some "make your own teabags" stuff available, including reusable things. When you don't want to fuss too much, I like t-sacs (amazon link as an example, but they are available lots of places).

Bigelow Tea Constant Comment blend is a surprisingly tasty supermarket tea (tea bags). They don't have an herbal version but if you will accept decaf black tea they have a decaf version I can recommend. Also, their "I Love Lemon" herbal tea blend (tea bags), is more tart than spiced, but really nice (and good for winter). Seconding the recommendation for Celestial Seasonings "Bengal Spice" blend. Most of their bagged herbal teas pass muster, to my mind. (I'm addicted to Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Decaf Lemon Jasmine Green tea blend, but it does not have the flavor profile you are looking for I think.)
posted by gudrun at 8:51 AM on July 30, 2022

My favorite tea is a masala chai rooibos from Chicago’s Coffee and Tea Exchange (“Masala Chai has a base mixture of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, clove, and black pepper. Made from the South African “red bush”, Rooibos is a caffeine-free beverage, rich in essential minerals”). Search around to see if there’s an independent tea shop in your area.

I second Trader Joe’s tea that’s available in the fall with the fox on it.
posted by Bunglegirl at 5:57 PM on July 31, 2022