Yes, I know it has been a while since the last blog…but life gets in the way sometimes. This time in a big way. But that is a blog for another time and place. Today is all about The State of the Tea Cupboard. Apparently I have 37 teas on tap to choose from. Not including samples I’ve received from tea friends or from companies to review. I had more until I had to dump maybe 10 teas in the compost because they had kicked. I hate having to do it, but I tried a cup of each and they were in fact no longer good.
Which brings me to my next point or idea, ok both. I have a lot of tea. Then again so do most of us tea lovers and there isn’t a thing wrong with that. Well, until good tea goes bad! So the NEW plan is to keep on hand selected favorites. You know the tea you have to have on hand no question about it. For me some of those include Milk Oolong from DavidsTea, Paris from Harney and Sons, and Lord Petersham from The Devotea. There are a few others, but that would take a great deal of time to taste and list. Perhaps another time.
But what about the other teas? Oh and what about new teas that folks say ‘you have to try’? Well, I won’t be cutting off my tea buying all together. That would just be silly. Instead I’ll be buying seasonally. For example I just ordered DavidsTea’s Fall Collection. I’m thinking of picking up Vanilla Bean from Teas, Etc. when the Fall weather really kicks in. So I’m not giving up on my buying, just being smart about it. This way I can save for what I want AND not have to risk forgetting about a tea and then having to toss it out in the yard if it kicks.
I think it happens to be one of my better plans. Now to actually stick with it!
The Tea Cupboard today.
Good luck with your plan.
Ha, I have those T-sacs & the rack on one of my shelves too.
As to the Vanilla – obviously my favorite morning tea! I recommend Upton’s too: it costs $7.20 for 4.4oz or Adagio’s with Ceylon tea as a base, 3oz for $5.00. While I have a lot of small size (and sample) teas, I only stock a handful of all-time favorites in large quantities.
The t-sacs are there for folks who don’t care much for the many other methods of tea making I have to offer. As to the Vanilla tea I do have a lot of the Vanilla Comoro from Harney in my cabinet. But perhaps when that’s gone.