Tea lovers will always love everything about tea, starting with choosing quality stuff and sourcing teapot and tea equipment to tea making and the actual process of enjoying the coffee. In fact, you can tell tea fanatics by looking at the way they observe their beverage: it’s almost as if you’re watching a sommelier tasting wine. It’s a ceremonial experience. And why not? There is art in making tea and tea ceremonies are a central piece in many cultures and have been for a very long time.
Advertisement:
Now, do Canadians make and drink tea the same way Chinese people do it? Hardly, but they do enjoy their regular cups. The Tea Association of Canada says Canadians drink over 10 billion cups of tea every year. And though tea bags still take center stage, loose leaf tea is becoming more and more popular.
So, of course there are tea shops and tea stores all across Canada. In British Columbia, Victoria is probably the best place to find many tea shops since the city retains so much British heritage. There is also a tea festival held here every year, and dozens of retailers and vendors participate alongside thousands of tea lovers in tasting events and workshops dedicated to the art of tea making.
Tea retailers in Canada stretch all the way from Alberta and British Columbia to New Brunswick, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. And there are quite a few online vendors as well. Tea Monde and Pluck Tea are only two.
But there are some Canadian tea companies that really stand out. They’re the type of retailers that get people started on tea due to their genuine interest and passion for the industry.
Blue Teapot: is a tea shop in North Vancouver, British Columbia, but the retailer also sells online, both organic and regular teas. They don’t have a huge selection, and that’s essentially a good thing almost always when it comes to good tea shops. It means sellers source from farms directly, sometimes even tasting tea themselves before deciding to sell the product.
Say Tea: is located in Toronto, in Bloor West Village. The seller has a nice selection of black tea, green tea, oolong, white, rooibos, herbal and decaf at really good prices. Say Tea is both a traditional retailer and an online shop that delivers nationwide. It sells tea accessories as well.
DavidsTea: is where many people started and the retailer is the largest in the country. It boasts a great selection of teas and accessories, and it makes it easier for people to shop, offering online opportunities and shipping purchases free over $50.
House of Tea: is a family-owned business in Toronto. This particular retailer has an excellent relationship with tea. As a tea lover, it’s always great to meet a retailer that can share personal recommendations and talk tea in the most interesting way.
Tea Leaf Co.: is another Toronto-based tea company that sells 100% certified organic loose leaf teas and accessories. They’re not a big chain but a small local business, which adds to their charm. They have high-quality teas with no artificial flavorings.