Closest US tea to standard Irish tea?

[Rod James 0]

Can't believe noone mentioned Stash tea's Irish Breakfast. Maybe it's more expensive given that you don't get the bulk size pack...but my wife and I have really enjoyed that one...even above more expensive imported teas we've tried from England. It is worth a try and is readily available in the US. We've been stocking up in the US while we live in Canada...

but our move to the US is the end of this month. yahoooooo!

[jojo_gee 8]

Lipton tea is utter gash. It's the kind of rubbish you find in Travel Lodges and cheap hotels across the UK. On a more positive note, I have seen Barry's tea here in San Francisco and I'm working my way through 240 PG Tips right now. Yes, it's outrageously expensive but really, when tea is the thing you depend on, does cost matter? Buy big so you don't waste money on boxes of 40 that barely last a fortnight. I was pleasantly surprised to see PG Tips and Yorkshire Gold on offer at my local coffee shop. I don't drink coffee and never order tea out coz I just know it's gonna be a disappointment.

Good luck with your quest for tea, I know how important it is.

JoJo XX

[Darnell 8,478]

OK - was in a North Indian Store last night in Houston - they have Lipton Yellow Label - whoop !

But - also have PG TIPS - a 120 count box was 5.99 usd.

Maybe it's time to get ethic ?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Twining's Irish Breakfast

[Peikko 1,575]

I'd keep getting it from friends, if the friends don't mind. My mum sends me regular supplies. Mind you, I was never a tetley girl, I get fair trade and I'm just going to put the kettle on now! Yes, I have an American Kettle

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

You may be right there, Madame Cleo I have several friends who crave the various peanut butter candies you cannot get over there, so exchanges can always be arranged!

[Kirsten UK 2]

Twinings over here is vastly over priced and sold in ridiculously small quantities. Bi-Lo sells Tetley, english style or strong and is cheap, you can get the boxes of 80. It is nowhere near as strong as a proper english black tea and needs stewing for a good 5 mins to get the taste/colour. So two bags would probably bet better. Also, Bi-Lo sells PG Tips, and its the genuine PG tips. My local only sells the 40 size boxes and they cost $5.09 each, I only buy them on offer when its a BOGOF. World Market sells a huge bag of English teabags and its a proper English brand too, can't think for the life of me what its called right now, but it was $9.99 for the sackful - it was a big red bag, similar to the huge bags you'd get in Sainsburys if you ever went there?? Damn, I wish I could remember what brand? I'm getting those next time i'm at Worldmarket though. But to answer your question, I too have been looking for a cheap 'own brand' and have not found any that compare, they just aren't as strong, and I need a strong cuppa in the morning!!

[JustJ 0]

We've found Punjana speckled here & there in Pennsylvania.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I found Timothy's Irish Breakfast tea in Ross's Dress For Less. I have found some other good tea blends there in the past. If you have one near you, go to their specialty foods sections near the back of the store and see what they have available. The price was $2.99 for a box of 100. It is packed and shipped by Amazon Trading (PVT) Ltd., in Sri Lanka - http://www.amazontea.biz email: amazontea@sltnet.lk You might be able to find local suppliers or buy it reasonably on line.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Darnell 8,478]

Ms. K - yup - time to 'go ethnic', you betcha. Sri Lanka?

Actually, the 'other teas' seem readily available at the North Indian / Pakistani shops in Houston, at reasonable, if not actually CHEAP, prices.

I'm certain it has a lot to do with 'tea culture' - so finding the right 'ethnic shop' is important.

I say 'forget the large chains' and 'go ethnic' instead.

FWIW, I think , for Ross to have it, was a 'one-off' - they'll have it all till they run out - they specialize in stocking their stores with close-outs from other places.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Darnell

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That was the actual address on the box of tea: Amazon Trading (Pvt) Ltd., 257, Siri Dhamma Mawatha, Columbo10, Sri Lanka

Yes, Ross does get in buy outs from other stores and such - but over the last 5 years I have always found a good variety of blends of pure Ceylon teas though including English, Scottish and Irish Breakfast teas. My personal favourite is Scottish Breakfast blend. Must always be someone 'closing out' with Ceylon teas.

Edited February 4, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, the 'Ceylon' tea market is actually volatile - companies come and go, all the time. I noticed this trend 2 years ago, then started digging around. There's 3 major wholesalers that everyone buys from, to make their 'speciality packets' .

Sometimes, 'Ceylon tea' tastes remarkably similar to 'Earl Grey tea'.

but I digress.

I like a strong BLACK tea these days, got hooked on it from singapura, then did the research on wots wot.

Ethnic Shops have it. Though, it is fun to 'have a new look' when I stumble across a new ethnic shop .

I buy loose, by the kilo, usually.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

Most of the shops you guys mention are not around here (NW Arkansas). I quite like the Twinings English breakfast, available in any Target or Walmart, but as mentioned it is quite expensive.

BTW, if you like strong black tea, try a Russian blend/ shop, they have great really strong black teas.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Twinings for me, yes it's a bit steep but it's worth it. I'll have to check out the local World Market to see what traditional English teas cost.

[Darnell 8,478]

Most of the shops you guys mention are not around here (NW Arkansas). I quite like the Twinings English breakfast, available in any Target or Walmart, but as mentioned it is quite expensive.

BTW, if you like strong black tea, try a Russian blend/ shop, they have great really strong black teas.

lots of tourists into Hot Springs, so is more specialty shops to 'service them' - have you made a day trip, yet, looking into the SMALL SHOPS?