Polly Put the Kettle On, We All Had Tea

I think anyone who has spent more than an hour with me will know that I love a good cup of tea.  I mean LOVE a GOOD cup of tea.

From the mid 1990’s we had a Coffee revolution, and everyone was going to cafe’s to sit and chat over a cappuccino or latte.  In 2000 we even got our own chain of StarBucks.  Coffee was the “hot beverage of choice”, it seemed.

But what about the tea drinkers?  It seemed that we were doomed to over priced hot water with supermarket teabags forever.  Tea simply wasn’t “cool”, or largely seen as the beverage choice of older ladies.

Thankfully there has been a shift in the “Cafe Culture” over the last few years and tea is getting the respect and attention it deserves.  Unfortunately it has given me suppliers for my love of tea ‘accessories’ (it’s only unfortunate as I want to spend lots of money on them).  In all reality one only needs a single pot and cup to enjoy the beverage.  But where is the fun in that?  There are too many gorgeous teapots and FAR too many stunning tea cup sets.  So where is it that I get my stuff?  Apart from scoring amazing vintage finds from op shops or relatives,

http://www.theteacentre.com.au

Flavoured Tea Picks  – Apple Pie, Blackcurrant, Chai Masala, Cream, Gingerbread, Strawberry Cream, Tea for Sunday

http://www.t2tea.com

Flavoured Tea Picks – Blue Mountain, Choc Chip Chai, French Earl Grey, China Rose, Creme Brulee

http://www.adoretea.com.au

Flavoured Tea Picks – Cafe Latte, Irish Cream, Safari

http://www.tbar.com.au

I don’t have any picks from T-Bar as it’s been 5 years since I was there, and I think their range has changed.

As you go through each companies selection, you may find that there are common flavours between a few of them.  I know that Adore and T2 share some flavours such as French Earl Grey, China Rose and Blue Mountain.

The Tea Centre and T2 have stores and cafe’s (although I prefer to call them Tea Houses) in multiple states and cities.  When I worked in the city, The Tea Centre was a regular lunchtime haunt, and I just love the vibe that the T2 Cafe in both North Ryde and Hornsby have.  The T Bar is a great little place in the middle of Adelaide’s Rundle Mall, my husband and I found it by accident when we were there in 2006.  Adore Tea is a new establishment in Nicholls, ACT, this place blows my mind a little.  They have live music every weekend, tea infused cocktails and great catering.  All four companies do mail order, but only Adore Tea have 2 cup sample satchels so you can really try before you invest.

I have my favourite flavours and blends from each of the four companies, but one thing is always true, I like my tea hot, a little sweet and usually with milk.