Let's Talk Tea! My favorite Supermarket Teas

I love tea. LOVE tea. Over the last year or so, I've really gotten into loose teas. This afternoon as I was having a "fancy" tea with my boys, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite teas, nothing too pricey as most of these you can find at your local grocer or supermarket.*Some of these teas, I only had in tea bag form, so I had to open them up. I'll specify which ones those were, as I'm sure they'll appear less appealing than the whole loose tea.Twinings, Christmas Tea* - I discovered this tea this past Christmas season at my commissary. Initially I found it in tea bags and I love the aroma, for this photo, I had to pop open a Keurig version as that is all I've got left (I bought 5 boxes when I found some after the holiday season sitting alone on a shelf.) It is a black tea infused with what I like to call, "Christmas scent", Twinings USA calls it "spiced flavours of cinnamon and cloves." I like to enjoy it black or with milk and sugar. This is also a favorite of my boys, who usually steel my cup, when-ever I made some.Twinings, Earl Grey - You can't get any more classic than this tea with it's iconic blend of black tea and Bergamot. I like to make this tea with milk and vanilla syrup to transform it into a "London Fog Latte". Yum. Yum.Twinings, Lady Grey - Is my favorite tea. I love it's soft citrusy goodness that comes from orange and lemon peel. I often have this in the afternoon, or in the evening curled up with a book.Taylors of Harrogate, Green Tea with Lemon*- When my husband returned from his six month deployment to the UK, he brought me back things he knew I'd love, like tea cups, and a model of a those adorable double decker red buses in you seen in London and about 6 boxes of teas for me to try. Among them were a few boxes (in tea bag form) of Taylors of Harrogate teas. This Green Tea with Lemon, is absolutely lovely and refreshing.Harney & Sons,Yellow & Blue- This lavender and chamomile blend of tea is what my boys get when the ask for tea just before bed. Inside each tea bag is a perfect blend of whole leaf teas packed with chamomile buds and lavender....If I had one wish for this tea, it would be more lavender flavor.Teapigs Peppermint Leaves Tea -This was another gift brought back by my husband from England. Each nylon bag is filled with whole leaf tea. This peppermint tea is absolutely perfect. It's minty with out slapping you in the face.  I'm sort of in love with this brand of tea for it's great quality and eco-concious biodegradable packaging. I was very happy to learn one can find it on Amazon! Yay!Bigelow, Green Tea with Lemon- After my husband brought home the Taylors Green Tea with Lemon, I was worried I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere else, locally (here in Italy and at my commissary) so when I spied the Bigelow I figured I 'd give it a try. I'm so glad I did because it's pretty good and a pretty close match quality wise to the Taylors version. These boxes of tea bags are easy to find your local supermarket and I think Bigleow is definitely one of the best supermarket teas out there.Taylors of Harrogate, Scottish Breakfast Tea - When I first tried this tea I was worried it would get bitter, like the Earl Grey can tend to do, but I found there to be no bitterness when over brewed. Win! Win! This is perfect for the morning! (I'm sure the whole tea version of this one is quite pretty too.)Bigelow, Constant Comment - This black tea is great for a hot cup either with or without milk (I'm also not apposed to using cream.) or with lemon and honey. You can also make a great iced tea with Constant Comment, or even get creative and add fruit or syrups for extra flavor, I'd try peach or raspberry! Just follow the directions for seeping your own brew or iced or hot tea.Taylors of Harrogate teas can be purchased in the US on Amazon or at Whole Foods.Tea Pigs can be found online at www.teapigs.com and Amazon.Twinings & Bigelow can be found practically anywhere.