Can you recommend a high-end tea merchant?

I have bought my tea, on and off for many years, from a very few places. For a variety of reasons, I am now casting about for a merchant from whom to purchase tea by mail/internet. I would prefer a "higher-end" place, by which I mean a merchant who offers a wide variety of teas (geographically- and typologically-speaking). (FWIW, my tastes are primarily for black teas, especially Darjeelings.) I'm disinclined to say that price is no object but, like most things, high quality tea costs some money and I'm prepared to deal with that. The good thing is that even a fair amount of tea doesn't weigh much.

Since it's been a long time since I researched the market, I've lost track of who is out there and who might be worth patronizing. Can you recommend someone for me to check out?

I've only bought tea there once, but was very happy with it - you might try Dream About Tea in Evanston.

Tue & Wed: 9am-7:00pm; Thu, Fri & Sat: 11am-7pm; Sun: 12pm-6pm; Mon: Closed
Address: 1011 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-7464

I regularly purchase from Special Teas at http://www.specialteas.com/.

They have a wide variety of sizes and teas for purchase. I like their descriptions of locales and tea flavors. This time of year, while I'm gearing up for holiday shopping, they usually get a big order from me. Their sampler packs are great for trying out new stuff and they make exceptional stocking stuffers. Almost every time I've given one of their samplers, the recipient tells me they end up buying more from them.

I learned about white teas from their site and regularly buy their Silver Needles when it's in stock. In fact, I think my stash is getting low...

There's Todd & Holland on Madison in Forest Park. I've only dashed in there quickly once, but it looked like they have a wide variety of teas and tea accessories.

Todd & Holland Tea Merchants
7311 West Madison Street
Forest Park, Illinois 60130
(800) 747-8327
M,T,W,F 10-6; Th 10-8; Sat 10-5

I regularly buy from Upton Teas and they seem to have a wide selection of Darjeelings.


http://www.uptontea.com

Tea Gscwhendner ( http://www.teamerchants.com/Catalog/Default.aspx ) has an outstanding selection of teas and seems to be very strong in black teas. They also have two locations in Chicago (1160 N. State and 2142 N. Halsted, although I'm not sure the Halsted location is still open so call first). I've always found a good selection of first, second and autumnal flushes of darjeeling. A great place to find FTGFOP . Best of luck.

Locally, I would recommend Chicago Coffee & Tea Exchange (AKA Longo & Siefer). I've worked with them wholesale but I know they sell retail as well.

3311 N. Broadway
773-528-2241

Since you are down with mail order, I would recommend Adagio Teas. Again, I had a wholesale relationship with them in the past and some of their teas are of high quality.

www.adagio.com

I find their whole approach to things a little cheesy, but hey, tea's tea

rickster wrote:I regularly buy from Upton Teas and they seem to have a wide selection of Darjeelings.

http://www.uptontea.com

I like Upton, too. Also:

Rishi
Mighty Leaf

Many, many thanks to one and all--for reminding of places I'd forgotten about and for introducing me to some new ones as well. I think I'll probably spend some time reviewing all the new sites I've discovered and then place some orders. I appreciate all the posts!

I also rather like Ten Ren Tea Company in Chinatown. Lots of high-end options, though Chinese rather than Indian.

Ten Ren Tea Company
2247 S Wentworth Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-1171

http://www.tenren.com/index.html

I interviewed John Harney from Harney and Sons a few months ago. They have a great reputation.

Try Porte Rouge on Division Street in Wicker Park. If memory serves, they are the exclusive merchant in Chicago for the Marriage Freres (sp?) line of teas from France. Ask for Amy, the GM - she's an expert on the subject, and will help you out.

Serene Teaz in both Elmhurst and Wheaton. Both easily accessed by Metra.

108 W. Park Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
or

118a North Hale
Wheaton, IL 60187 (hidden off the alley near the Parking Deck)

An excellent source of tea is "T Salon" based in NYC. They supply a number of high end restaurants, and I love them--used to shop there when I lived in NYC and now order mail order (the ship ground and no sales tax). They are online at www.tsalon.com.

Ineeka teas based in Chicago does a great job with teas from India.

If memory serves, they are the exclusive merchant in Chicago for the Marriage Freres (sp?) line of teas from France

A few of the Mariage Freres varieties are available at Williams-Sonoma stores.