Just thought I'd fish around for some friendly opinions:

What are the best tea emporiums in Britain? What teas are they best
known for?

I've only been to a few emporiums in London, based upon
recommendations from a tourist book: Whittard's near the Strand
(yeah, I know they're of Chelsea. I was in London.), The Tea House in
Covent Garden, Algerian Coffee Stores, Twinings. And, of course,
Harrod's and Fortnum & Mason. Couple other places whose names I don't
remember because I didn't buy any tea there.

So far, Harrod's and Fortnum & Mason stand above the rest in my mind.
They're a real pleasure to visit and peruse all that variety. And I
love the tea bar at F&M. (Not cheap, though.) In all fairness to the
others; I was intentionally buying teas I hadn't ever had before, so I
may not have gotten fair samples of their teas.

Anyway, I'd love to get some recommendations for me to tuck away in my
pocket for whenever I can next get over there.

Thanks!

Steve Thurston wrote:

>
> Anyway, I'd love to get some recommendations for me to tuck away in my
> pocket for whenever I can next get over there.
>
> Thanks!

A lot of them have international ordering on their web sites or
retainers in the US if that is where you reside, usenet is a little
worldwide :-)

I regularly order from Taylor's of Harrogate in Yorkshire, using their
African teas as my everyday drinks, with a special favorite Mountains of
the Moon and close second Kwazulu. The more arcane teas most often
discussed on this group do little for me in my expansion of my taste,
despite my writing about food and drink as part of my living.

As for London, growing up near there I soon learned to avoid it like the
plague, too pricey and pretentious. There are some wonderful places a
short train journey away and you get to see some of the real Britain.

JJ

Steve Thurston wrote:

>
> Anyway, I'd love to get some recommendations for me to tuck away in my
> pocket for whenever I can next get over there.
>
> Thanks!

A lot of them have international ordering on their web sites or
retainers in the US if that is where you reside, usenet is a little
worldwide :-)

I regularly order from Taylor's of Harrogate in Yorkshire, using their
African teas as my everyday drinks, with a special favorite Mountains of
the Moon and close second Kwazulu. The more arcane teas most often
discussed on this group do little for me in my expansion of my taste,
despite my writing about food and drink as part of my living.

As for London, growing up near there I soon learned to avoid it like the
plague, too pricey and pretentious. There are some wonderful places a
short train journey away and you get to see some of the real Britain.

JJ