Newfangled (definition): "different from what one is used to; objectionably new" "attracted to novelty"
I decided to supply a definition of this since many of my Montreal friends tell me I use words/phrases that they don't understand (six of one, half a dozen of the other, par example). ANYWAYS, that's not the point. The point is that everyone I know is now addicted to tea and they have these hip new places to buy it. I don't really think this is a bad thing - tea is much better for you than coffee and contains less caffeine. But why all of a sudden? Why now has tea suddenly exploded as this new "rage"? I thought people were still getting over pumpkin spice lattes? *shudder*
For myself, I used to drink loose-leaf tea "back in the day", although my memories are pretty horrific. I've been perpetually afraid of herbal teas since I can remember because of this
one tea... It tasted just like dirt and it was a "detox" type of tea. The only things I knew about it were that it came from China, it was recommended to my mom by her acupuncturist, and that I had to drink it with her because "it was good for me". Scarred. For. Life.
Until about Grade 12, when I discovered that I actually liked matcha. Not sweetened to death matcha, but traditionally made-in-a-bowl matcha. That lasted until I started university the following year (and had a job etc.). I had to *make* it!? Nope. No time.
Since I can remember, I've always had a cup of earl grey tea before going to bed. Twinings. With milk and sugar. This will probably make my tea friends cringe. "HOW can you drink bagged tea when you
clearly know about the BETTER options available to you?" In some ways, I understand this attitude. I've always thought there was a major difference between brewing loose-leaf tea and bagged tea. That bagged tea was somehow the lazy cousin of loose-leaf tea. Well my friends, I'm here to tell you one important thing: Stop being such a fucking tea snob. It's just tea. Get over yourself.
Those who read or follow my blog probably don't fit into this category of the snobby tea drinker. But if you find yourself starting to become one: Stop. Think of me. Think of me being disappointed in you.
Anywho, I ended up going to David's Tea with my roommate since I was intrigued by the concept and felt I could use some more green tea in my life (I was also just jealous of her vast variety of teas, especially in contrast to my tried-tested-true earl grey). I purchased the Green tea sampler (Sencha, Genmaicha, and the Silk Dragon Organic) as well as a travel mug with infuser. I guess I'll divide my experience being "reintegrated" into the looseleaf tea thing into the "good" and the "bad"
The good
I was surprised by the quality of teas from such a "hip" tea place (especially a tea place that carries an excess of teas with "fruit flavourings"... or what I like to call barf in a cup). It had been years since I had a cup of genmaicha and I forgot how much I loved it. I also really enjoyed the silk dragon organic tea (chinese green tea with jasmine).
When I went back to David's Tea to purchase more tea, I realized that the store concept was not conducive to it's location (Eaton's Center). Image upwards of 30 people crammed in a little tea store. I decided to cut my losses and not return seeing as I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to try a new tea or not. Instead, I decided to go to the Westmount location on Sherbrooke. The staff were really quite nice and let me smell a lot of different teas. I ended up buying the genmaicha again (which is what I knew I wanted in the first place) and an herbal tea *gasp* called "Mother's Little Helper", which is definetly a hit. My genmaicha came in a lovely free tin because I purchased 100g.
The bad
The tea tumbler I purchased is probably the worst thing on the planet and since I used it, I could not return it. The lid doesn't stay on properly and the tumbler leaks like there is no tomorrow. On numerous occasions, I have tried to screw the lid on tight, resulting in an explosion (and no, the water was not boiling, just hot). I now just use it at home because the infuser works like a charm. I just avoid the lid at all costs. Still, for $25 I expected more. My room mate can attest to the fact that every time we walked past the store, I'd start swearing and threatening to burn it down. I'm one angry consumer. Luckily, those feelings have passed.
The sencha tea was just okay. Quality wasn't there as much as the silk dragon. To me, it tastes just like bagged green tea from Loblaws.
David's Tea doesn't offer a whole lot of selection to the "truists" (those who don't like strange tea... teas with all sorts of non-normal-tea ingredients). For this, it's imperative that one goes to a "real" tea store. I think even those who love David's Tea can attest that it is a good starting point for people just getting into tea, but there is so much more out there that is so good. It's similar to Teavana in that idea (although Teavana has teas that David's Tea doesn't - check out both if you can!).
Finalement, je vous recommande David's Tea si vous voulez boire thé encore (comme moi). Cependent, il y a meilleur magasins de thé dans votre ville. à Montreal, on peut chercher thé à:
Cesear's Tea (il semble comme un faux David's Tea)
Thé sante (sur la rue Decarie)
Teavana (dans NDG)
Vous pouvez acheter thé en ligne, aussi. C'est facile et il y a plusiers enterprises que vendent thé en ligne (compris David's Tea).
Godspeed all of my tea drinking friends!
