by Melissa A. Bartell

Created on: March 10, 2009

Coffee may be the most common morning brew for most Americans, but there is something truly special about a fine cup of tea. For a jolt of caffeine Earl Grey, English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast all serve well. For a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or the perfect accompaniment to a good book, Darjeeling or Lapsang Souchong might be better choices. In the evening, you can turn to an herbal infusion like peppermint or chamomile to soothe you to sleep.

Before you can brew tea, however, you must first purchase it. Bagged tea from the grocery store may give you a vague notion of what proper tea tastes like, but for the real deal, visiting a shop that specializes in tea and tea paraphernalia is essential.

If you live in a major metropolitan area, there's a good chance that your city has a tea shop or two. When you visit them, here are some things you should look for, before making a purchase:

Variety:

Good tea shops have a variety of different teas, in addition to the well-known blends mentioned above. Some of these include Assam and Golden Monkey. Really good tea shop also offers their own "house blends," and will custom blend for their best customers.

Storage and Display:

The tea should be the focal point of the store, not hidden in the back, or overpowered by cute gift items. The containers used should be large and airtight, and you should be invited to look into the jar, or examine a sample of the tea before committing to a purchase.

Quality:

The tea leaves you examine should be dry, with a very slight shine, and a healthy appearance, as well as a fresh, strong scent. If there is a specific note in the tea (such as the bergamot in Earl Grey), you should be able to discern it when you sniff. (Lapsang Souchong and some Russian blends smell a bit smoky or bacon-y; this is normal.) There should be no stems or plant pieces, only leaves.

Sales Units:

Tea should be sold by weight, in whatever quantity you wish, though a quarter-ounce is a common measure for samples. It should be scooped from the display jars into opaque bags to protect it from light contamination. These are often indistinguishable from coffee bags.

Expertise:

The staff should be able to answer questions about each variety, including the country of origin, which estates it came from, and the best method for brewing it. They should also be able to tell you what types of foods will go well with each tea.

Taste-test:

The shop staff should be able, and willing, to brew a sample pot of the tea you choose, so that you can more accurately gauge the flavor, acidity, and overall quality. Do not rush through your sample cup. Good tea can be expensive, after all.

For your first purchase from any retailer, buy only a small amount, and take time to really taste it before you buy larger amounts.

If you do not live in or near a city with a tea shop of its own, you can also turn to the Internet. There are several excellent online tea shops, and while you will not be able to examine the leaves, you will be able to browse through a wealth of information provided in the form of frequently asked questions, user forums, and articles from the site-owners.

Remember, appreciating the perfect cup of hot tea does not mean you must give up your morning coffee; it merely means you have another option for a hot drink on a cold, rainy day.

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