Closing of The Little Teapot in Maryland and search for tea
I am a bit behind the times, I am sure, but I had stocked up and haven’t been shopping for a while. I get my summer tea, or I should say got, at The Little Teapot in Laurel, Maryland. I stocked up early last summer and I am only now starting my summer ritual of ice tea, so I haven’t been into the shop in quite a while. When I tried to call this morning, I found that they are closed!
Can anyone help me find another source for the decaf blackcurrant tea they sold?
From what the owner said, I got the idea that the producer was a small outfit. Or perhaps it was the wholesaler. She said she had problems getting it one time because they were shut down for a vacation. A search here identified only one source of decaf blackcurrant tea: Upton Imports. Does anyone know if this is the same tea?
The bags it came in were clear cellophane with a largish paper label in color (I saw one briefly once). I usually buy 2 lb of this tea at a time (a one month supply). I know that is about the size of bag she got also, because she said she would order an extra one anytime I needed more, just give her a call to let her know. Thus the unsuccessful call this morning. I only have a weeks worth of tea left! This is desperate.
I have no idea where the tea you are looking for came from. I might suggest trying this one as a replacement.
http://www.harney.com/Organic-Black-Currant-Iced-Tea-6-2qt-tin/productinfo/20209/
I had the peach yesterday and it was wonderful. Good luck in finding your tea and I hope someone here will be able to help you.
Black Raven is a blackcurrant blend from Eastern Shore (MD) tea co.
Seems like the kind of place that would close for vacation?
http://steepster.com/teas/eastern-shore-tea-company/3841-black-raven
or http://www.baltcoffee.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2_20_23/products_id/925
Good Luck!
DrClaire – I am not sure where they obtained their tea, however, one of the largest wholesale tea companies is Metropolitan Tea, and after looking in their catalog, I find that they do offer a decaffeinated Black Currant flavored black tea.
However, Metropolitan tea does not ship directly to retail customers, you would need to find a shop that sells Metro teas.
Best of luck finding your tea!
I think Upton has gone on vacation before – maybe worth a try! I have that tea, actually – it’s not bad. It may be quite good for a berry tea, but they are at best an occasional thing for me.
I think I found it! Thanks everyone. Upton tea imports confirmed that they close for vacation and that Valerie ordered from them. It has been over 6 months, so they can’t check which teas she ordered, but it is likely she got the decaf blackcurrant from them. And they are so great that they are sending me a free sample to confirm that this is the right tea before I go ahead and buy 1000 gm of it. How nice!
Cheers!
I get (got) my tea from Valerie at the Little Tea Pot too. How did you find her to talk to her? She used to order the Nigiri (sp?) — an east African tea — I can’t find this anywhere. If you know how to reach Valerie, please let me know
I have been looking for the tea on my own, but I am trying a new tack: I am looking for Valerie Peacock. I tried her e-mail at the little teapot: no bounce, but no reply. I have done online searches, called Montpelier Mansion, and posted queries on a Peacock family message board. So far no luck. I think I will try calling Montpelier again and beg then to forward a message to the last known contact for her.
I’ve heard of Zen Tara Tea which is located in Bethseda,MD. On the map it says Bethseda is only 30 minutes away from Laurel! Zen tara tea does sell the Nilgiri tea you are talking about and they do ship online if the shop isn’t close to you(I believe it is in the metro DC area). I hope this helped you!
Oh, the horror! Upton’s is not the right tea. I was so sure and I was so happy to be ordering from such a nice company, but the tea is definitely different and smells very “off”, almost chemically. I haven’t brewed it yet to see what I think of the flavor. Between the disappointment in failing the great quest , the “artificial flavoring” and the chemical smell, I am in no hurry.
Sigh.
Oh no! I will say that one thing I have learned is that often after brewing the flavoring agents smooth out a lot. You may be smelling a very concentrated flavor that will actually end up a lot nicer after steeping. It may not be the same, but it could still be a nice substitute — I wouldn’t give up on it completely without trying it steeped.
Ashby’s has a decaf black currant that’s sold in a 2 lb bag, perhaps this is it?
http://www.amazon.com/Ashbys-Decaf-Black-Currant-Flavored/dp/B000HQ1W2M
I don’t know what you’re going to do with 2 lbs if it’s not the right stuff, and I can’t find another purchasing option (some of the flavors seem to come in 2.5 oz cans, but not this one).
Here’s a vendor that’s selling 2 and 4 oz packages of Ashby’s decaf black currant. They must be splitting up the big bags…
http://www.millstreetmarketplace.com/ashby39s-loose-leaf-black-currant-t39.html
The LIttle Tea House in Laurel. I have been corresponding with Valerie Ricciardi through her email at the tea house: [email protected].
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