Confession #2: Tea Party

In light of my guest blogger Andrew's post about iced tea, I will share one of my maddening obsessions with you--tea.

When I wake up, I crave it in the way I imagine most twenty-somethings crave coffee, or pot. I like to have it on me when I write or when I drive. If there were a political Tea Party that involved actual tea, I would join it. I credit the miniscule bit of English blood in my genetics with this and my love for Oasis or Lily Allen.

I have become a bit of a tea snob in fact. Some teas are unacceptable. Like these:


I don't agree with an iced tea that comes from a concentrate or powder mix. That is a no no. I am pro-brew.

In fact, I like almost any other tea that is actually brewed from leaves (from what I can tell).
Here's a list of some of my favorite teas in specific categories:

1.Black Sweet: Lipton Pureleaf Iced Tea, Sweetened

I don't know why Lipton would consider making the disgusting options above available when their Pureleaf tea is so good. Pureleaf is great in any flavor: Raspberry, Peach, Sweet, and Green with Honey are all wonderful and refreshing. I actually judge a gas station's worth based on whether or not this tea is available.



2. Green Tea: Giant Eagle's Market District Organic Green Tea with Mint

This is possibly my favorite all time iced tea, and the greatest part is that Giant Eagle sells these babies for 10 for $10...meaning they are $1 a piece! My personal favorite is the Green Tea with Mint, but I also love the Green Tea with Honey, and there is a wide variety of other flavors offered in green, white, and even black teas. They look just like the ones pictured below except they'll be full of sweet nectar.



3. Chai Latte: Oregon Chai The Original, Latte Concentrate Liquid

This is easy to mix and tastes better than any $4 chai latte I've ordered at Starbucks. Oregon is HANDS DOWN the best chai brand out there, and I'm pretty sure the box says it's because they're the original. I pour mine over ice-- half chai mix and half skim milk, sip, and relax. I've found it at Wal-Mart and at Giant Eagle.



Readers, any suggestions? I love to try new teas!