Specialty Tea
the ultimate guide to buying specialty tea
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world. An estimated 159 million people in the US enjoy a cup of tea every day. In 2018, more than 3.8 billion gallons of tea were enjoyed by people in the United States. Tea is a beneficial drink with antioxidants and other health properties. For some people, however, having the same tea every day becomes boring.
Drinking specialty tea has become an increasingly trending pastime. Today there are large numbers of specialty teas from which to choose and this can make your tea drinking experience more interesting. We will take a closer look at what specialty tea is, what types there are, and how you can find your favorite.
What is specialty tea?
Specialty tea is a bit different from the average tea that you might be used to. Walk into a local store, and you can quickly pick up a pack of green tea or black tea. These tea varieties are pre-packed into small bags, making them convenient to use, but quite common.
Specialty tea, on the other hand, is generally sold as loose leaves. This is a premium quality tea, in most cases, made from higher grade leaves. Smaller tea estates are used in the production of specialty teas. These teas come in a wide variety of flavors, aromas, and types. They are also more expensive than your average bag of tea since extra care is taken to ensure the quality of the leaves.
What are the best specialty tea brands?
Many brands offer you the chance to enjoy a higher quality experience when drinking tea. Some brands do offer better quality teas than others. Additionally, there are also some brands that can give you an authentic experience at a better price.
Knowing which specialty tea brands are the best when it comes to specialty tea is important, but largely subjective. This will be a critical factor when you decide to buy your first batch of specialty tea leaves. You can avoid disappointment by eliminating what most experts consider weaker quality brands.
The best luxury brand for specialty tea is generally considered to be TWG. This is one of the more expensive specialty tea brands out there, but the quality of the tea makes up for the higher prices.
Other tea brands that you might want to consider:
- If you’re looking to sample different types of specialty teas before deciding on a specific option, then consider Tea Forte. This brand provides a variety of specialty tea sampler packs. Their prices are also on the higher side, but the quality is great.
- For a good overall experience, without spending too much money, consider looking at Vahdam. This is another excellent specialty tea brand that offers a wide selection of aromas, flavors, and formulas.
- For a high-quality tea experience, Harney & Sons also makes a variety of specialty options that people seem to enjoy. The teas offered by Harney & Sons are highly rated too.
- A new specialty tea brand has emerged from the jungles of Hawaii. Abby’s Ohana Tea farm offers 3 specialty teas which are all handpicked and hand processed. Nature’s intricate development of the climate in Hawaii makes for a perfect environment (and culture) to grow high quality specialty tea. Since Abby’s Ohana Tea will ship anywhere in the world, you can try their flavorful teas no matter where you are located. We suggest trying their sample pack to taste all 3 teas they offer.
These are not the only brands of specialty tea out there, but this is a great place to start.
What to look for in a specialty tea company?
While there are many specialty tea companies who specialize in tea, you need to know what to look for. Some offer better quality tea leaves than others. Thus, do your research well before you decide on a specific brand. This will ensure you do not waste your money on tea that has no taste or tea leaves that are overly processed.
First, you should consider what type of specialty tea you would enjoy. There are lots of different options available. You need to do some research to find something that sparks your interest.
If you are new to specialty teas, you may not be sure where to start. In this case, finding a brand that offers sample packs can be a good idea. This will allow you to try out different teas without buying full-size containers during the first order.
When you know what you want, it’s time to look at brands that offer this particular specialty tea. Make a list of these brands, and then do some research on each option you find.
With specialty tea, you should ideally focus on smaller companies. Large companies may mass-produce their tea leaves – this is something you want to avoid if you are looking for an authentic experience. Consider companies that use smaller tea farms to grow leaves.
Specialty tea is often considered an investment, as the prices tend to be much higher compared to your average black or green tea. So, you need to ensure you invest your money into a reputable company. Check out the company’s story; their journey can tell you a lot.
While doing your research confirm there is some method of contact for the tea company. This ensures you can contact the company if you need some advice or have problems with your order.
What are 3 types of specialty teas?
There are many varieties of teas on the market. Some are more popular than others.
When it comes to looking at regular tea, your three standard options would generally include:
- Black tea
- Oolong tea
- Green tea
Specialty teas would sometimes use the leaves, stems, and other parts of the same plant. Other plants and flowers can be used to produce specialty teas too.
How to buy specialty teas online?
Specialty teas are generally easy to get your hands on today. Thanks to the online world expanding at such a significant rate, finding your favorite specialty tea is now just a click away. There are many businesses that sell specialty teas in their online stores.
The specialty teas will be shipped directly to your shipping address. There are local online stores that cater to specific regions. Other online stores can cater to a bigger audience by providing international shipping.
The freshness of tea leaves, particularly when buying a specialty tea, is important. You might want to look for a company that can get your tea to you within a week. Since you’re buying online, the supplier does not have to be in your town. Just be sure that the company you order from will ship the tea to your local area. This means there is no need to worry about the tea leaves losing their freshness.
You want to consider a few additional factors before buying from an online store:
- Look at the security features of the website. Make sure the website uses appropriate security functions to protect your data.
- Do research on third-party sites. This allows you to get an overview of the company on an unbiased platform.
- Consider the teas offered and compare the prices to other companies giving you access to similar tea varieties. You want a good deal, but you also want to focus on quality when buying specialty teas.
- Take note of the payment options provided by the website. Make sure that your preferred method of payment is supported.
- Ensure shipping is available to your destination before placing an order. Most websites have a “shipping” page that gives you an overview of where the tea can be delivered.
How to find specialty tea stores near you?
We’re not all patient – and when ordering a specialty tea online, you have to wait a while for the product to be delivered to you. If you’re in a hurry to try out a specialty tea, finding a supplier in your local area could work for you.
The good news is that there are many specialty tea stores online that sell good teas. In fact, there might be more stores selling these items in your local area than you realize.
A search on Google is a good place to start. If you search for a specialty tea store near you, you may be presented with a few options. But, don’t sacrifice quality because they are close to you. Check out the company website to see if they carry the specialty tea you are looking for. Continue your search until you find the one that fits your needs.
Specialty teas make great gifts
Specialty tea is something that a lot of people enjoy. This does not only make it a great way for you to have a different experience with tea but might also make specialty tea an excellent gift idea.
If you know someone who likes to drink tea, then you should consider getting them a sample pack of specialty tea. While you could opt for buying them a full container of specialty tea, a sample pack will offer them a greater variety. This means they have different tea leaves to try out, making the gift more exciting.
Is Drinking Herbal Tea The Same As Drinking Water?
We need to drink enough water each day to keep our bodies hydrated. Many people ask if they can replace their daily water drinking habits with tea instead.
One publication reports that the purpose of water consumption is to replace fluids in the body. An interview with a doctor revealed that tea might be an even better choice. Tea contains water primarily. This means the tea can serve the same function as water. Additionally, tea is also rich in antioxidants – these are compounds that fight against oxidative stress in your body.
How do I choose a specialty tea?
When looking at specialty tea, the options can quickly start to feel overwhelming. There are just too many teas to choose from. The truth is, there is no such thing as the best tea. Instead, you should be asking what the best tea for you.
Start by considering your own taste preferences. Do you like a classic taste, or do you prefer something a little more exotic? If you enjoy fruity flavors, a specialty tea with added fruit could be a perfect option for you.
It’s also a good idea to consider experimenting with different teas. This is one of the best ways to find the teas you like and identify the ones you do not like.
Always look at the ingredients of tea and ensure there is nothing you may be allergic to added to the tea mixture. The ingredients will also give you a general idea of what the benefits of the tea might be.
Tea is a popular beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. There is a wide range of tea varieties, including flavors and types. Choosing the right tea for you can take some time. For those who find regular tea too boring, switching to specialty tea can be a good option. These teas use different types of herbs and ingredients to create unique aromas and flavor profiles. We looked at what specialty teas are best and hopefully, made the process of choosing the perfect tea easier.