Specialty tea you can't find in major retail stores?

[Anonymous]

I found some tea that I thought I'd give my SIL as a gift, but it looks like it's mostly caffeinated. She prefers caffeine free herbal tee. I'm looking for something nice that I can buy online and will be something she has most likely never seen or heard of. Here's the one I was thinking. Anyone have other suggestions?

http://www.myteadrop.com/tea-selections/

[Anonymous]

Did you try Capital Teas?

[Anonymous]

Teaism might have something good.

(Technically what you want is a tisane and not a tea, though.)

I'm a huge tea aficionado and I LOVE Fortnum & Mason -- you can only get a few of their teas at Williams Sonoma, otherwise you have to order from them in London. I guarantee that would be pretty damned unique, BUT the shipping is expensive and it wouldn't get here for xmas at this point. However, I got some varieties for my friends who are tea lovers and they were very excited to try it.

[Anonymous]

I have not, thanks for the suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Teasim is too mainstream, she's had it.

I'll check out Fortnum & Mason for the future, thanks for the suggestion.

Tisane is herbal tea, didn't realize it was incorrect to refer to it as simply tea. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the word Tisane IRL.

[Anonymous]

Tisanes are not exactly unique compositions. Most places have similar stuff. You want something with high quality fresh herbs.

[Anonymous]

I like the Quiet Evening tisane from Teaism. But it sounds like that's too mainstream for you.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it is what you are looking for but there is a whole bunch of the flowering teas that are largely caffeine free, and if brewed in a glass teapot, look very nice. I personally like hibiscus.

[Anonymous]

David's Tea!

[Anonymous]

Kusmi tea. They have retail stores in Paris but you can get it online. Delish and has all sorts of flavors

[Anonymous]

Harney & Sons

[Anonymous]

There's a tea shop in Old Town Alexandria across from City Hall. I don't remember the name but bet they'd have something more exotic.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teasim is too mainstream, she's had it.

I'll check out Fortnum & Mason for the future, thanks for the suggestion.

Tisane is herbal tea, didn't realize it was incorrect to refer to it as simply tea. I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the word Tisane IRL.

LOL, if you're into teas/tisanes so much that you want something out of the mainstream, you are going to be using the word tisane!

[Anonymous]

Love this company: http://www.redblossomtea.com/tea/herbal.html

All 100% tea teas can be served decaffienated if you discard the first infusion. The white, green, herbal and even black teas here can be infused multiple times, and all but the first infusion will be nearly caffeine free.

This is one of my favorite teas of all time: http://www.redblossomtea.com/tea/scented/organic-dragon-pearl-jasmine.html. If you like jasmine, it's delicious!