Here’s what I’ve been drinking lately –
The black tea with the rose petals in the lower left corner is “Special Turkish Tea” from the markets outside of the Egyptian Market (Spice Market) in the Old City of Istanbul. We heard the prices in the Egyptian Market were out of this world (60 euro per bag of dates) so we only took pictures.
Once you pass thru the Market, and past the famous coffee stall Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, you will find all the same wares that were in the Market. The shopkeepers are huge guys, and very dour. All the better to NOT negotiate with tourists. But the exchange rate is so insanely low (20 Turkish Lira per USD), it just seems unfair to bargain. Plus they flatly say no. There is no effusive welcome in the stalls, you often have to push past the the sellers to see the wares.
The little tea stall (I don’t seem to have a picture of it) had about 30 kinds of tea including some sweet granular pastel ones that seemed to be mostly sugar. The most amazing looking tea had rose petals and saffron in it and was labelled “Special Turkish Tea.” Minimum 200gram. It might have been 200TL per 200gram. Still a bargain. It has a nice strong black tea flavor. Of course you can buy tea in the neighborhood bodegas (we love Migros), I believe the Caykur Filiz Cayi is a good choice.
The Herbes of Shakespeare Tea (upper left hand corner) is a wonderful evening tea made of Peppermint, Lavender, Calendula, Savory, and Marjoram. Nana and I found this at the Fulton Farmer’s Market in Grand Rapids, Michigan (*). It’s very aromatic and soothing. Sadly, Grand Shire Farm was not at the Market when we visited in May, as I am about to run out!
(*) ExperienceGR.com says, “The Advocate honored Grand Rapids as one of the “Gayest Cities in America.” Expedia ranked it among “the cream of the crop of cool cities to visit in the U.S.” Thrillist hailed it as offering “much of the art, food, and music trappings you’d find in Chicago or Detroit, only at half the price.””
Also in Michigan, Horrocks Farm Market has a super amazing variety of tea in bins. Let’s be honest, Horrocks deserves a post of it’s own. It’s like a cross between Home Depot, Trader Joes, Sprouts, and a farmer’s market, but x100, and the one we go to also has a Beer Garden and hosts live music!! The sheer variety of items they carry is stunning, they must carry 10 or 20 thousand SKUs. There are 2 aisles just for Gluten Free products. Olive Oils, Spices, dry goods, soups, cheeses, wines, produce, candy (huge popcorn area), plants, fresh pizza… It is a must stop whenever we are there. Anyways their teas are very good. I’ve been taking Chai for the cinnamon and blood glucose reduction, and Horrocks Masala Chai is unbelievably fragrant.
Last but not least, we recently discovered Wing Hop Fung at Santa Anita mall in Arcadia. Yes, I know the Supreme Keemun Black Tea is $98.99 a pound, and must be bagged by hand by a tea grandmother, but it is a beautiful flowery and delicate black tea. If you find black tea boring, try this. And quarter of a pound is more than one cup! While you are there, check out some of our favorites – Haidilao Hot Pot and Din Tai Fung (both very expensive), Qin West Noodle, Daiso (there’s bigger stores elsewhere).
And…all you tea drinkers have a water boiler, right? Not a kettle but a water boiler that keeps the water hot all day for instant dispensing. I know it doesn’t seem necessary but once you have one…you will be a convert. I usually buy “Used” Zojirushi from Amazon Warehouse for 20pct discount and have never been disappointed.
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