Many many thanks to everyone for your tea suggestions. They have all been saved and I will work my way through the list! Such connoisseurs we have in our midst!
Well, well. I have had an adventure.
I went tea hunting to Whole Foods Market, where I gained 5 pounds just walking by their bakery section. I think it was the key lime cheesecake that did it. You never saw such a pile of delectable goodies in your life. They had some kind of thick sugar cookies cut out into shapes of fish and lobsters and crabs, frosted with colorful shiny icings that I had to use ALL my resolve not to grab and eat on the spot. There was a mountain of bite sized brownies in plastic tubs, raspberry tarts, and muffins covered with glaze. I almost swooned, and was thankful I could lean on my shopping cart while making my way further into the store.
I finally found the tea section with my list of suggestions that I had written in a miniature notebook. Alas, there was no Celestial Seasonings White tea yet, as it's pretty new. I have a feeling about that one. But I did find some bulk Darjeeling and a box of Numi brand assorted teas. The Republic of Tea selections were a bit pricey to take a chance on such a large quantity. I might have to try some at a tea shop. One of my daughter in laws says she likes the Peach one, and is going to send me some in an envelope!
I wandered around the store in complete awe of the selection of goods they have there.
Walking through the cheese department is heaven. They had some kind of parmesan piled on a display table that was exuding the most wonderful aroma as I walked by.
Some things in that store are quite reasonable in price, if you stick to the basics, but one step beyond and you have entered the realm of the rich and famous!
I saw things I have never seen before.
There was a package of huge crepes, folded into quarters that came all the way from Paris! The package had about 3 crepes in it. It cost $7.99! I saw a little package of raspberry scones that was $3.79 (four of them), now those I left alone. I make very good scones of my own thank you very much.
I saw the cutest teapot there. It was lavender ceramic with a matt finish. It had an insert made of fine wire mesh for the tea leaves. About a two cup pot. I loved it!
I turned it over. $29.99! Eeek! I put it down ever so gently and backed away carefully.
Going in that store made me want to be fabulously wealthy, and have the ability to eat anything I want and not gain weight. Since neither of those things is likely to happen, I came home with some basic items and my tea.
I tried the Darjeeling first since it was the most oft recommended. But must report that it was not to my taste. It smelled of alfalfa to me, and bit back. I only steeped it briefly too, hoping not to be overwhelmed.
Then I opened the sampler box of Numi Tea and chose "Golden Chai" (what is Assam?)
The bag smelled of exotic spice. Hope stepped quietly into the cup. I LIKED this one very much. It was smooth and spicy, but not in your face spicy. I then decided to try a little milk in it. I liked it even better. Then a quarter spoon of sugar, ...... nope. No sugar, I'm with Bookworm on this point. But milk, milk has potential.
I must be taking this tea thing pretty seriously, as I dreamed about tea. I was steeping a cup that had tea leaves the size of dimes floating in it. The tea was pale green, and I even TASTED this tea in my dream. It was mild and tangy, not like lemon tang though, but some kind of tangy taste. It was very good..... in my dream :-)
What a fun adventure!