That's right, I'm talking about tea. Like, the kind you steep, and drink, and love more than almost anything. All different kinds of teas. They are my new obsession, and I could just sip them all day (and I would, too, if it weren't for the caffeine content...)
Lately, I've really been digging David's Tea and there's an outlet in the nearest shopping mall. I checked it out after much urging from friends and family, and am so very glad I did.
Basically it's a store that sells a wide variety of loose leaf teas - tea without the bag. They've got at least a hundred canisters lined up behind the counter with all kinds of magical sounding flavours labelled onto them, including Chocolate Chili Chai, Ice Cream Cake, Caramel Spice, and so many more. Those sound insane, right?
They also sell tea pots and mugs and infusers, and basically anything you'd ever need to prepare tea. And it is a magical little store, however intimidating it is when you walk in.
If you're anything like me, pretty much anything new is terrifying. First time I went into Starbucks I almost peed my pants in fear. "What if I pronounce 'Grande' wrong when I get to the till? How do I make myself sound like I come here all the time...?" Such. A. Dork.
Matt and I have actually completely avoided certain restaurants, hotels, and travel locations due to our fear of newness. What can I say - we're creatures of habit.
And inside David's Tea, it's a little daunting. So many flavours, so many people (since the holiday season is approaching) and no instructions as to how to order. I saw people leaving with cups of tea already prepared, and people with bags of leaves, and scales on the counter, and I was vewy fwightened.
So I grabbed a little pamphlet from the desk, and fled the store. I'm hilarious.
Inside were lists of flavours of tea, and instructions on how to prepare "loose leaf" tea, and prices. And then I saw at the very bottom of a page "Prices are per 500 g (approx. 20 cups.)" and I was instantly relieved. So that's how I order. I ask for 500 grams. Discovery made, relief washed over me.
I went back in with my choices and approached the counter. The staff were actually extremely friendly and helpful, and I sounded like a total pro when I asked for 500g of Cookie Dough, and 500g of Banana Dream Pie. I'm sure she was thinking "Wow, this girl really knows her teas. She must come in here all the time and be so cool." Probably something similar to that.
I got home and tasted the cookie dough flavour and it was love. Suddenly I became a loose tea connoisseur, and started scanning the brochure I brought home with me for more flavours to try. Matt looked worried. I started speaking in a french accent (why?) It was a frightening time for everyone.
And then I suddenly got the urge to rearrange my entire tea cupboard.
Every time I get new stuff, I clean up everything. Everything. When I get new clothes I clean out my closet, when I bring home groceries I clean out the fridge, when I buy a new candle I clean and sterilize the entire living room. Why? Because for some reason I just can't stand the thought of putting something new in a messy or old space. New stuff needs a crisp new environment. And my precious teas could not sit in that mess of a cupboard. I wish I'd taken a picture for you. It was a catastrophe.
So I went out and bought a ton of Dollarama glass jars for a buck a piece.
I gave 'em a good cleaning, removed the labels and protective paper under the lid, and began transferring all of my various teas into them. When I finished I just stacked them up (I'll have a more permanent solution one day when I have a house with a more spacious kitchen - soon!) and labelled the lids with a black whiteboard marker, so I could wipe it off and change it if I ever needed to.
It feels a lot more organized than boxes from all different companies, little canisters, assorted random tea bags I've stolen from hotels, just lying around and toppling out of the cupboard when you open it.
The bottom ones are upsidedown. I labelled them before I realized that they lay better on that side than the other. But that's okay.
And my loose teas look so darn pretty in the jars now. You can see all of the fancy little leaves and bits of chocolate and caramel. Lovely
They do say that tea stays better longer when not exposed to the light, which is why a lot of people buy stainless steel non-transparent canisters for their loose teas, but I figure since we keep this cupboard door closed ALL the time, I don't have anything to worry about. Plus I'm pretty sure I'll drink this stuff faster than it can go stale. So, no worries there either.
What about you? Have you bought any loose tea flavours lately that you can recommend? Do you absolutely need to have a space clean before you introduce something new into it? Do you quiver with fear at the thought of ordering anything with the word "Grande" in it? No? Just me then?
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