Exotic teas......

Lapsang souchong is the first one that came to mind. Love the tarry aroma. Lacking that, I stick to the common varieties, MJB and Cains by brand.

Well, darjeeling is - at least here - nothing like 'exotic' but normal supermarket tea.
(Exotic teas here in Europe would be e.g. Pu-Erh, Rooibos, Oolong, Lapacho).

Normally, I drink a darjeeling GFOP second flush or an Assam Broken TGBOP. (My "every-day-favourite" is an Assam mixture, called "The Black Frisian", strong, tasty)

Chamomille is wonderful. Many people seem to think of it as medicinal only, but I like it just for the subtle taste. Any of the common herb teas are not only good for you but good tasting as well. Not too exotic, I admit.

warm socks by james barber

If you can find any of the Dark Tickle teas from Newfoundland, do! I am very fond of the Bakeapple Tea from their line.



http://www.darktickle.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=6

There are white teas which are good. And, chrysamthemum tea is a good exotic herbal.

Twining's Lady Grey has become one of my favourite black teas lately.

Bigelow's I Love Lemon is probably my favourite all round tea. It's a bit tricky to find in Canada - but I think it's worth the search.



Some of the mountain chais are wonderful. I like them best in winter - with a bit of brandy in the evening. shepaints - there are some extraordinary chais to be found in Kensington Market. Let me know if you're heading that way some time.

I like most teas, however, my favorite is Jasmine.

Many favourites, that change from time to time. Currently Russian Caravan & China Black. (Both Twinings)

"Tarry", yes, Roger that is a perfect description
of Lapsang Souchong. I would add that it tastes
as though it has been made from water boiled
on a wood burning campfire....smoky!

Walter...I drank Rooibos in South Africa, but we
did not like to drink it on its own...We added a
1 part Rooibos to 2 parts pekoe....

Another tea that is simply superlative is Vanilla
tea....It is harvested from the vanilla bush which
I believe grows in only a few locations in the
world...Madagascar is one.....I highly recommend it!

Some great recommendations here...

Russian Caravan? That's a new one to me. Can you describe it or compare it to another?

http://www.tea.co.uk/tGloriousT/china.htm

shepaints

Rooibos is quite an "in"-tea here, you can get it with various flavours (vanilla, green tea, etc)

Flavoured ("normal") teas are to be get in a great variety in most cafés .... and are sold in coffeeshops

ehBeth....I bought my Vanilla tea from 30 St.Andrews St., Kensington Market, though I have also seen it at St. Lawrence Market, Toronto....It
is not a flavouring but is from the Vanilla Bush.

Walter, for some reason, rooibos is only palatable
to me when its mixed.....I tried chamomile for its medicinal benefits
but cannot abide the taste. Who knows why?

Peppermint tea is immensely refreshing.

I like exotic teas only after 11 am.....Until then it is strictly English or Irish breakfast or some sort of orange pekoe....... 2 cups before breakfast......

Great link Little K....thank you!!!

Lapsang souchong, as others have noted, is a smoky delight. I have the good fortune to have a Chinatown nearby and can buy the stuff at a shop there.

And for you decadents out there, put a splash of single malt whisky in your lapsang souchong. I will say no more!

Thanks for the tip D'artagnan....I was decadent
until Jan 5 of this year, so have to forgo the
single malt for now!

Earl Grey is very civilized.....must admit I don't
enjoy herbal teas very much.......but I am trying
to acquire the taste....

Earl Grey is wonderful, but I don't think of it as an herbal tea. It's caffienated, though it does have oil of bergamot, a lovely ingredient...

If anyone likes Earl Grey, I can't recommend Lady Grey enough. Also with bergamot - just a bit 'finer' in flavour.

D'artagnan....sorry, I didn't express myself
clearly....I am aware that Earl Grey isn't a herbal
tea....I bought some this afternoon that contains
double bergamot...

It's the herbal teas that I cannot seem to appreciate....probably they don't contain
the tannin or whatever makes the other teas
so refreshing.....