I'm new to this site and am a big tea drinker.
Just wanted to see what online tea store you guys use the most and/or like?
i normally get tea from special teas.
my favourite there is the Golden Monkey (Fujian China black)
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Chip
I have to admit that http://www.specialteas.com/ impresses me with their prices and packaging of teas. But overall I am not as impressed with their tea, which is too bad. I had high hopes.
My favorite for general purchases, at the time, is http://www.teazonline.com/ Their prices are o.k. and the tea is good.
My favorite for general purchases, at the time, is http://www.teazonline.com/ Their prices are o.k. and the tea is good.
A month ago I would have said teavana. But I recently got several teas from apollo-tea (they had a big sale on high-grade teas) and I really liked their tea.
I will try to write a separate post on my experience with their teas
Edit by Moderator. Please read forum rules under Introduction regarding new members posting links.
Chip
I will try to write a separate post on my experience with their teas
Edit by Moderator. Please read forum rules under Introduction regarding new members posting links.
Chip
What type of tea do you like to drink? If you're into a certain tea or tea category (say, Chinese reds, or first flush Darjeelings), I'd recommend seeking out a vendor that specializes in them. I'll post some links tomorrow (will reach my 30 day requirement for posting links) 
Since you mentioned a Chinese red, Teaspring has a pretty good selection (and they specialize in Chinese teas). You'll find a lot of good reviews of them here. I've only had their oolongs and greens and was quite impressed with the quality.
Since you mentioned a Chinese red, Teaspring has a pretty good selection (and they specialize in Chinese teas). You'll find a lot of good reviews of them here. I've only had their oolongs and greens and was quite impressed with the quality.
Personally, I like Upton's, Simpson and Vail, Mark T. Wendell, Hou De, Harney's, Culinary but for different things. There are others as well. I like Upton's samples and wide variety, Simsonand Vail and Culinary Teas for blends, lots of Harney's and Hou De for oolong. Before we moved there was a local shop that had wonderful Oriental Beauty at a decent price.
I've always had good experiences ordering from http://www.jingteashop.com/ they have great packaging and all of their teas that I've tried are lovely Only downsides are the high price and long shipping times but for the constant quality I think it's worth it Sebastien has also been very helpful if you have special requests or if you want more information.
Only downsides are the high price and long shipping times but for the constant quality I think it's worth it Sebastien has also been very helpful if you have special requests or if you want more information. 
I also would recommend http://teaspring.com/ for chinese greens but Im not sure about red/black teas I buy most of them locally.teashionista wrote:What type of tea do you like to drink? If you're into a certain tea or tea category (say, Chinese reds, or first flush Darjeelings), I'd recommend seeking out a vendor that specializes in them. I'll post some links tomorrow (will reach my 30 day requirement for posting links)
Since you mentioned a Chinese red, Teaspring has a pretty good selection (and they specialize in Chinese teas). You'll find a lot of good reviews of them here. I've only had their oolongs and greens and was quite impressed with the quality.
I have heard http://www.teasource.com/# Has good red/black teas.
adagiotea is a great place to start trying different teas. They have great tea and lots of variety.
Lately, teaspring.com for greens, yellows and blacks (and beidou #1 oolong is incredible!); houdeasianart.com for silver needles and a good selection of oolongs, they also have some very expensive pu-erhs but I will try them when I have more money; inpursuitoftea.com has very nice pai mutan white but I haven't tried this years' harvest so I can't vouch for it. They also used to have a very nice and very expensive yunnan gold but lately they had a cheaper one. I also get darjeelings from them sometimes.
The really great thing about teaspring is both selection and a large number of reviews and ratings.
Before that (years ago) I bought some teas from uptontea.com and specialteas.com, they're ok for cheap robust blacks but I never had a decent green or white tea from them. I had one very nice oolong from adagio teas, I think it was symphony #7. Not that complex but really pleasant, although that was my first oolong so I don't know if I would still like it now.
The really great thing about teaspring is both selection and a large number of reviews and ratings.
Before that (years ago) I bought some teas from uptontea.com and specialteas.com, they're ok for cheap robust blacks but I never had a decent green or white tea from them. I had one very nice oolong from adagio teas, I think it was symphony #7. Not that complex but really pleasant, although that was my first oolong so I don't know if I would still like it now.
May 27th, '09, 21:42
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silvermage2000