YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Jun 23, 2017 14:09:19 GMT
My boss brought in some loose Teavana teas and made ice tea that tasted amazing! Sweet but no sugar was added. I'm really interested in purchasing teas to make my own but Teavana is a little expensive ($10 a bag). Can anyone suggest an alternate place to look? I'm assuming these would be considered white teas (beach ballini and pina colada).
Also so can you recommend a tea maker?
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keithurbanlovinpea
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jun 23, 2017 14:34:30 GMT
Good, loose tea isn't cheap but you will get a lot of bang for your buck. Try Adagio, Tea Forte and Harney & Sons for good teas.
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Jun 23, 2017 14:42:39 GMT
I'm assuming these would be considered white teas (beach ballini and pina colada). From a quick look at the Teavana website, these are both Herbal teas, which means they probably don't contain tea at all, but are a mixture of herbs, dried fruits and spices. These are sometimes also called 'Infusions'. These terms might help you find other options. |
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Post by lucyg on Jun 23, 2017 14:44:19 GMT
I'm not sure why you're assuming they are white teas. ?? If it's important to you, I'd check on Teavana's web site to figure it out for sure. Also, I agree that good tea is expensive, but a $10 bag will make many, many cups. And I agree with the PP's recommendations. Also, Republic of Tea ... it's available at World Market for around $10/tin. (Maybe $12?) For loose tea, you will need a strainer or paper filter bags (also available at World Market). ETA I just noticed your question about a tea maker. Most people don't use a dedicated "tea maker" although they are available (and expensive and unneeded).  Put the the tea in a tea ball strainer or filter bag and toss it into a tea pot (or add it to the pot loose, but you will need to strain it on the way out), add water that has just come to a boil, let it sit for a minute or two, and pour. That's the traditional way to make tea. If I'm just making it for iced tea, I'll usually just steep it in a large measuring jug rather than bother with a tea pot. I shouldn't have said that. Now some purist is going to come hand slap me. ETA #2 you will need a tea kettle, though. Either stove top or electric. Please, I am begging you, don't boil the water in the microwave. |
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RosieKat
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Post by RosieKat on Jun 23, 2017 14:53:23 GMT
If avoiding sugar is important to you, double check the ingredients. I've found Teavana and Davids Tea in particular often include sugar in the tea mix itself.
For iced tea, I love Adagio's Green Citrus.
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Post by pjaye on Jun 23, 2017 14:55:59 GMT
I've found Teavana and Davids Tea in particular often include sugar in the tea mix itself. Yes, and they often like to call it "natural flavouring" instead of sugar. You can't assume that because it is a 'natural' product like tea leaves that there isn't any added sugar. |
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Post by lucyg on Jun 23, 2017 14:59:11 GMT
I've found Teavana and Davids Tea in particular often include sugar in the tea mix itself. Yes, and they often like to call it "natural flavouring" instead of sugar. You can't assume that because it is a 'natural' product like tea leaves that there isn't any added sugar. I don't know about other countries, but in the U.S., they can't label sugar as "natural flavoring." They have to list sugar as an actual ingredient. |
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likescarrots
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Post by likescarrots on Jun 23, 2017 15:05:38 GMT
I like kusmi and t2 teas. They are not cheap, but i think cheaper than teavana.
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YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Jun 23, 2017 15:10:27 GMT
I'm not sure why you're assuming they are white teas. ?? If it's important to you, I'd check on Teavana's web site to figure it out for sure. I guess I just ASSumed they were white teas because it wasn't black, green etc. Clearly I have no idea what I'm talking about.  |
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YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Jun 23, 2017 15:12:18 GMT
If avoiding sugar is important to you, double check the ingredients. I've found Teavana and Davids Tea in particular often include sugar in the tea mix itself. For iced tea, I love Adagio's Green Citrus. That might be where that subtle sweetness comes from (besides the fruit). I'm not a tea drinker at all so I'm clueless but I really enjoyed the ones he shared. Thanks for the recommendation! |
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Gennifer
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Post by Gennifer on Jun 23, 2017 15:25:45 GMT
I love Beach Bellini, but my favorite (also from Teavana) is Caramel Almond Amaretti. I use one of their tea makers, too... add the tea leaves, then the hot water. After it steeps about 5 minutes, you set the tea maker on top of your cup and it dispenses the filtered tea for you.
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Post by pjaye on Jun 23, 2017 15:48:23 GMT
I don't know about other countries, but in the U.S., they can't label sugar as "natural flavoring." They have to list sugar as an actual ingredient I realise what I wrote is open to interpretation/unclear. What I meant was they can have an ingredient called "natural flavouring" on a product (and you are right, it can't simply be sugar) but it can be a combination of ingredients(that by law they do not have to list individually) So for the combination of those ingredients that makes up the 'flavour' some of them could be sugars. Natural flavourings are basically just things that "started out as coming from a natural source" What's more natural than the various forms of sugar? Like "vanilla" There are lots of ways they can "hide" sugar on food labels. |
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YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Jun 23, 2017 15:53:54 GMT
Now I know why it was so sweet:
Apple pieces (apple, citric acid), candied pineapple pieces (pineapple, sugar), candied papaya pieces (papaya, sugar), candied mango pieces (mango, sugar), natural flavor, tangerine slices, apple slices, physalis, rose buds and petals
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Jun 23, 2017 16:12:39 GMT
Now I know why it was so sweet: Apple pieces (apple, citric acid), candied pineapple pieces (pineapple, sugar), candied papaya pieces (papaya, sugar), candied mango pieces (mango, sugar), natural flavor, tangerine slices, apple slices, physalis, rose buds and petals David's Tea is like that too. You really have to read the labels, I want to be free to add my own sweetener if I choose. |
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Post by lucyg on Jun 23, 2017 16:14:55 GMT
Now I know why it was so sweet: Apple pieces (apple, citric acid), candied pineapple pieces (pineapple, sugar), candied papaya pieces (papaya, sugar), candied mango pieces (mango, sugar), natural flavor, tangerine slices, apple slices, physalis, rose buds and petals I guess it's totally superfluous for me to mention, there's no actual tea in there.  |
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YooHoot
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Post by YooHoot on Jun 23, 2017 16:34:16 GMT
Now I know why it was so sweet: Apple pieces (apple, citric acid), candied pineapple pieces (pineapple, sugar), candied papaya pieces (papaya, sugar), candied mango pieces (mango, sugar), natural flavor, tangerine slices, apple slices, physalis, rose buds and petals I guess it's totally superfluous for me to mention, there's no actual tea in there. Lies on that website! It's fruit water!  |
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Post by lucyg on Jun 23, 2017 16:37:01 GMT
I guess it's totally superfluous for me to mention, there's no actual tea in there. Lies on that website! It's fruit water! Fruit and sugar water. |
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Post by pjaye on Jun 23, 2017 16:45:02 GMT
I doubt they'd get many buyers for their "sugared fruit water" at $10 a pop. Someone once bought in a bag of "Turkish Apple Tea" and left it in the break room for all of us. I was going to try it and while the water was boiling I read the ingredients; the first one was "anti-caking agent". I'm not entirely sure what that consists of...but I didn't fancy drinking a hot cup of it. The second main ingredient was sugar. |
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jun 23, 2017 17:30:35 GMT
Sometime's Teavana has their teas on sale. I have purchased Oprah's Tea there at a deep discount. be careful when you shop there. When they first opened I read that staff is required to try and sell their teas. I sometimes see tea for sale on Craigslist/Kijiji
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jun 24, 2017 0:35:57 GMT
Lies on that website! It's fruit water! Fruit and sugar water. That is some expensive kool-aid. YooHoot, I don't know a whole lot about tea, but I ordered from Stash Tea many years ago. They seem to have the option to purchase 8 grams (about 1/4 ounce) of loose tea for $2.50 a flavor. Might be a cost effective way to try various flavors. You'll also be able to get filter bags or other tools from them. |
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Post by hop2 on Jun 24, 2017 1:38:06 GMT
If avoiding sugar is important to you, double check the ingredients. I've found Teavana and Davids Tea in particular often include sugar in the tea mix itself. Yes, both companies do sometimes, so verify the ingredients yourself ( online ) as the in store employees don't always know/ won't always admit it. |
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Post by scrappinmom3 on Jun 24, 2017 1:42:34 GMT
I'm not sure why you're assuming they are white teas. ?? If it's important to you, I'd check on Teavana's web site to figure it out for sure. Also, I agree that good tea is expensive, but a $10 bag will make many, many cups. And I agree with the PP's recommendations. Also, Republic of Tea ... it's available at World Market for around $10/tin. (Maybe $12?) For loose tea, you will need a strainer or paper filter bags (also available at World Market). ETA I just noticed your question about a tea maker. Most people don't use a dedicated "tea maker" although they are available (and expensive and unneeded). Put the the tea in a tea ball strainer or filter bag and toss it into a tea pot (or add it to the pot loose, but you will need to strain it on the way out), add water that has just come to a boil, let it sit for a minute or two, and pour. That's the traditional way to make tea. If I'm just making it for iced tea, I'll usually just steep it in a large measuring jug rather than bother with a tea pot. I shouldn't have said that. Now some purist is going to come hand slap me. ETA #2 you will need a tea kettle, though. Either stove top or electric. Please, I am begging you, don't boil the water in the microwave. Why not boil the water in the microwave? I do it for iced tea. |
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Post by anniefb on Jun 24, 2017 2:45:01 GMT
If you're looking for some fruit infusions without so much sugar, I recommend Twinings.
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Post by anniefb on Jun 24, 2017 2:51:01 GMT
I'm not sure why you're assuming they are white teas. ?? If it's important to you, I'd check on Teavana's web site to figure it out for sure. Also, I agree that good tea is expensive, but a $10 bag will make many, many cups. And I agree with the PP's recommendations. Also, Republic of Tea ... it's available at World Market for around $10/tin. (Maybe $12?) For loose tea, you will need a strainer or paper filter bags (also available at World Market). ETA I just noticed your question about a tea maker. Most people don't use a dedicated "tea maker" although they are available (and expensive and unneeded). Put the the tea in a tea ball strainer or filter bag and toss it into a tea pot (or add it to the pot loose, but you will need to strain it on the way out), add water that has just come to a boil, let it sit for a minute or two, and pour. That's the traditional way to make tea. If I'm just making it for iced tea, I'll usually just steep it in a large measuring jug rather than bother with a tea pot. I shouldn't have said that. Now some purist is going to come hand slap me. ETA #2 you will need a tea kettle, though. Either stove top or electric. Please, I am begging you, don't boil the water in the microwave. Why not boil the water in the microwave? I do it for iced tea. Because tea should be made with water that's come to a rolling boil. A kettle heats the water evenly but a microwave may not - and you don't have so much temperature control. So parts of the water are likely to be too hot and parts too cold. This affects the flavour of the tea. |
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Post by mama2three on Jun 24, 2017 3:10:59 GMT
A lot of teavana teas have artificial ingredients so you have to read labels. Also the samples they have in the store are typically sweetened.
I second the mention of Adagio. Great tea, fast shipping. And it's fun to read the descriptions and reviews and get a good idea of what you're getting. My kids adore Adagio's Berry Blues and Berry Blast herbal teas iced. They're like Koolade but without the excessive sugar.
If it's herbal teas/infusions you like, Also try Celestial Seasonings "zinger" teas from the grocery. I've been making iced red zinger for decades. More recently Lemon zinger and orange-Tangerine. I also just saw a blueberry zinger that sounds interesting (but I doubt it can surpass our favorite Berry Blues I buy in bulk from Adagio). Celestial Seasonings also has a tea called Acaii Mango that is fabulous iced.
Another place to order loose teas where prices are more reasonable than Teavana is Monterey Bay Spice Co. For iced tea We like the hibiscus mint. It's a slightly minty blend of hibiscus and mint with a bit of stevia that sweetens. All natural, bright red and delicious iced. They have really good reasonably priced spices too. Alas, their shipping costs are too high for me to justify ordering unless there's a deal on shipping.
Tea Forte has some rather interesting teas. We've tried a lot of them and have mixed reviews, but 2 of my favorites come from there. Right now I'm loving cucumber mint green tea iced. I don't add sugar, and it is really delicious.
Have fun exploring teas and herbals. Once you brew your own you'll never want bottled tea from the store.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 24, 2017 3:49:55 GMT
Funny someone just mentioned that she made tea the way I taught her when we were having lunch with a group of retired workers.
How to make the very best iced tea, with plain ordinary tea bags (I am sure specialty teas/loose tea would be great too)! This is not sun tea.
Pick a jog/container, drop in your tea bags add cold temp/tap water. Do not use warm or boiled water. (well you can, but it will change the favor) Over time you will find the amount to tea you need to add, although you can add more tea bags if you want stronger tea.
Stir and place the container in the fridge. Stir/shake when ever you think of it.
Check the flavor as you go..
Pour your tea, add ice and try before adding sugar or anything else.
You will find that the tea has a soft flavor and is absolutely crystal clear.
I have added some different flavored teas on occasion.
They are now talking about cold brew iced coffee tasting so much better now you can make a better iced tea. And no I do not do it all the time, but I never, ever boil to water for iced tea.
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Post by lucyg on Jun 24, 2017 5:09:27 GMT
Why not boil the water in the microwave? I do it for iced tea. Because tea should be made with water that's come to a rolling boil. A kettle heats the water evenly but a microwave may not - and you don't have so much temperature control. So parts of the water are likely to be too hot and parts too cold. This affects the flavour of the tea.  I was just going to say it tastes weird ... kind of flat. But what you said is probably why. |
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keithurbanlovinpea
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jun 24, 2017 11:13:59 GMT
(but I doubt it can surpass our favorite Berry Blues I buy in bulk from Adagio) I have some of this that I haven't used. I think I will now make iced tea! |
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peaname
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Post by peaname on Jun 24, 2017 14:31:11 GMT
Adagio wild strawberry is really good.
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ComplicatedLady
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Post by ComplicatedLady on Jun 24, 2017 17:59:04 GMT
I recently discovered Field to Cup and I get the discovery plus monthly box. I've only gotten two boxes so far but they have been really good. I've ordered more of some of the teas because I liked them so much. (I highly recommend the Tropical Jackfruit black tea.) |
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I was just going to say it tastes weird ... kind of flat. But what you said is probably why. 