Leaf tea advice

S D Bells

We buy our teas from this company www.chiswicktea.com/

I like the Earl Grey but my DH likes Darjeeling First Flush, they have a bright clean flavour, large leaves not dusty.

The Darjeeling would be good to blend as it is a mild flavour.

could be worth trying a deli or health shop sounds mad but where i lived the health shop did nice loose teas
otherwise Teapigs is great

I use Assam and Darjeeling leaf teas ( mixed ) as base . Then either Lapsang ( Formosa ) or Earl Grey depending on which I can get from the Coffee/Tea Emporium , Bath .

For those who like a blended aromatic tea look up Persian tea or chai, we love it, should be drunk black but I put milk in mine and is lovely.

Just remembered about this - I've never bought it though:

Smoky Earl Grey
...a smokier Earl Grey, this unique blend combines traditional bergamot with a touch of Lapsang and Gunpowder tea.

I buy all my loose tea from Fortnum and Mason (except recently my Earl Grey is a Newby.)

www.fortnumandmason.com/tea/all-teas/loose-leaf

I think it depends on which lapsang and which earl grey - some are "overly" bergamot or smokey.

I drink both of these teas but I make them in a pot I don't always mix them with the same others.
I like Yunnan with lapsang and Royal blend with earl grey at the moment but I drink all my tea pretty weak so can enjoy them with (even) Irish breakfast some days.

Why not try having a few different teas in your cupboard and testing it out yourself?

I only drink ordinary breakfast tea so I can't advise about blends and flavours but I think the best tea you will get by a country mile is Ringtons (the man in the van) I don't buy much branded stuff but Ringtons tea is one thing I won't compromise on.

I think lots of people on here must have shares in Amazon, otherwise why would it get mentioned so often??

I buy mine from a local supplier who has an organic food shop very local- I even went to school with him and pop in as part of my walk a few times a week.

No need to shop on-line, I may ask him next time I'm in who his suppliers are and whether he has a web-site.

Just seen this. In my experience of buying leaf tea (Russian Caravan anyone?) Newby's is the best for flavour. Not the cheapest but it is quality tea.

I really like tugboat teas. The Darjeeling is lovely and great for blending. If you like a citrus flavour in your tea then Blue Lady is gorgeous. It reminds me i must stock up for Christmas. 🙂. tugboat.co.uk/

Great question—I’ve found a few loose-leaf teas that might work beautifully with Earl Grey or Lapsang:

A smooth, mild black tea like an Assam or Ceylon (nothing too smoky) works well as a base.

Try a supplier like Whittard, Teapigs, or a local independent tea shop that offers trial packs.

For example, a Ceylon Vanilla or English Breakfast (loose) can provide structure without overpowering your added flavors.

Happy blending—and enjoy your tea journey!
snow rider

or smokey Darjeeling

Jasmine Tea - Ocado - the best supermarket selection

Every morning, I make a pot of PG Tips loose leaf tea, which I buy in bulk from Amazon.