Do you pay over $25 for loose-leaf tea? If yes, my next question for you is simply, why? Most teas are delicious but ordinary and should not cost you an arm and a leg to sip. In this post, I share my simple and logical reasoning behind why you should not pay more than $25 (and this is even on the high end) for your tea and I share 3 reasons why tea may be expensive, including the only reason why I am willing to pay big bucks for my loose-leaf. Tap 'play' to hear me out and scroll down to see more details.
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LIES, LIES, & MORE LIES
There's a common misconception that tea is so ritzy, so elegant, so delicate that it must also be expensive. Inexperienced tea sippers who may not yet know how to identify quality tea have been swindled out of their pockets believing that the pricier a tea is, the better it will taste. Well, I'm here to tell you that this is all lies. Most tea is ordinary, and although it is super delicious, it should not cost you an arm and a leg to sip. I find it almost comical when I see ordinary tea that is over-priced and I am so grateful that I know enough about tea to save my dollars and still sip very well. I am sharing this information with you in hopes that you can save your money so that you too may maximize your tea experience.
NAME YOUR PRICE
So, how much should you pay for ordinary tea? First of all, allow me to explain what ordinary tea is. Ordinary tea is any tea that isn't a specialty. Think of this: When you go grocery shopping, you know that the average price for ordinary eggs range from $2-3. If you decide to purchase eggs that are organic, or perhaps eggs that were laid by free-range hens then you would obviously expect to pay a little more for these specialties. The same goes with tea. Most tea is ordinary and has an average price. I believe that a good tea can be found for under $15, however, I say that you should spend no more than $25 on a good tea. Anything over this amount is either a rip-off or a specialty. And honestly, it's most likely a rip-off...
WHY TOP DOLLAR?
There are three main reasons why a tea may cost you more than $25, only one of which I am willing to pay for. The first reason is brand. In the world of business, brands are built to also create trusting and loyal customers. It is also a reason why companies will drive up the price of an item. Tea is no exception. Major brands know that you trust them and feel special when you purchase from a known brand and they capitalize on your loyalty and sentiments by selling you over-priced tea. This is the reason why Mariage Frères, a French gourmet tea company established in 1854 based in Paris, can sell you a $50 English Breakfast. English Breakfast! This is about as ordinary as it gets, tea friends. An English Breakfast should never cost $50.
The second reason why tea may be expensive is packaging. A tea sold in a paper bag is obviously going to be less expensive than a tea packaged in an ornate tea tin. Sometimes, you will notice that companies have a reduced price for the same tea, just because it is packaged less expensively. I mean, I am guilty of purchasing tea at an elevated price for this reason but I've never purchased a really expensive tea because I liked the tea tin.
And last but not least, the final reason why tea may be expensive is: specialty. Special teas, or teas categorized under a particular specialty, are the only real reason why I may think about blowing my tea allowance on just one tea; a tea grown in a unique region, climate, or perhaps a tea harvested in a specific season or from a specific plant. I may even pay more money for a tea that is aged or perhaps a tea that has a proprietary blend. Specialty teas expand your tea experience and allow you to plunge deeper into the nuances of tea. It is really only for these types of teas that I am willing to pay top dollar.
KNOW THY TEA
I believe that if you know how to identify quality tea then you won't ever be duped into buying over-priced tea and what is more, you will be able to recognize delicious tea no matter who is selling it or how it is packaged. Be on the look-out for a series of videos where I will describe how to identify quality tea in all tea types, what you should be paying for each type, and I will even reveal tea companies that, although they may not be popular, sell amazing teas. Stay tuned!
Speaking of great teas, don't forget that you can still pre-order your Top Ten Teas Box of 2018! In this box, you will find all sorts of tea treats and products along with the Top Ten Teas of 2018. Order your Tea Box today before they're all gone!
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It's time to confess. What is the most expensive tea that you have purchased and its brand?