Top Five Loose Leaf Teas is a special piece for The Scene inTO, by Trina Hendry of Chowbella food tours.
Top five teas in Toronto
There’s no denying it…I love, love, love tea! And, while I’ve always enjoyed a lovely cup, it wasn’t until I discovered the pure flavours imparted by loose leaf teas that I became hooked for life. I love it so much in fact that I’ve included a modern tea boutique as a stop on one of my Toronto food tours.
Here are my top five favourite teas in Toronto:
Patisserie – This delicious black tea transports me back to a bakery in Paris. Nicely balanced between the nuttiness of almond and pistachio pieces with the spiciness of pink peppercorns, cumin and coriander. This tea is uniquely decadent and is a staple in my cupboard. Tealish, 728 Queen Street W. www.tealish.com
Let the sensory magic of loose leaf teas take you on a wonderful journey.
Rooibos Strawberry Shortcake – Harvested from a South African red bush, rooibos is one of my go-to-teas, especially when I need a pick-me-up. High in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, it is caffeine-free and packed with minerals. Blended with strawberry pieces, strawberry leaves, caramel and vanilla, this fruity tea makes for a hydrating iced beverage all summer long. The Tea Emporium (various locations in Toronto and Oakville) www.theteaemporium.com
Heavenly Cream – For those who enjoy a classic black tea, I recommend Sloane Fine Tea Merchant’s signature Heavenly Cream. Gorgeous packaging aside, this long-leaf Ceylon black tea is absolutely divine – full of creamy richness and velvety smoothness. With notes of bergamot and vanilla, it pairs nicely with dessert. Sloane Fine Tea Merchants teas can be purchased at many fine Toronto retailers including Pusateri’s Fine Foods, Dufflet Pastries, All the Best Fine Foods and Summerhill Market. www.sloanetea.com
Prince Edward Lavender – This loose-leaf green tea from Pluck Teas pays homage to the idyllic Prince Edward County, where the floral lavender is grown. Combined with a touch of ginger and the herbaceous sencha leaves, this lavender tea is lovely both hot or iced, although I prefer to sip it over ice during the summer months. For a hint of sweetness, add a drizzle of local honey. Pluck Teas can be found at McEwan Foods, Petite & Sweet and the Art Gallery of Ontario Gift Shop. www.pluckteas.com
Crème Caramel Rooibos – There are few dessert teas that sing to me the way this sweet and slightly nutty concoction can. Virtually calorie-free, it is my healthy way of indulging in a bit of decadence. David’s Tea (various locations in Toronto) www.davidstea.com
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[…] This Top 5 Tea post was originally written as a special piece for TheSceneInTO. […]