Granville Island Tea Company - Vancouver, BC

After a very large meal, I dragged Monkey for a walk around the Market.  I had intended to get some meat products (sausages, cooked deli meats, etc) but do you know how hard it is to choose meat products when you're filled to the brim with food??  It's true if you want to lose weight, you should grocery shop when you're full because you'll want to buy NOTHING.  I walk by all the charcuteries and meat shops without batting an eye but just as I turn a corner, something catches my gaze...

A wall of tea, as far as the eye can see... Well, not really, but there is a lot on that wall.  The Granville Island Tea Company has been around since 1999 and is locally owned and operated.  They have an army of friendly staff to help you choose from over 150 teas to either brew on the spot for a nice cuppa in the afternoon or take away in little cute brown paper bags to brew at home.  All of the teas are naturally flavored, meaning no artificial colours or flavorings are used (unlike some other tea places I've been to in the Lower Mainland).  I drag Monkey in for a tea extravaganza!

Mango Green Tea - $7.95 (100 g)

I really like that the temperature that each tea should be brewed at is on the bag - I don't know if I can follow it since I don't own a thermometer but hey, if I want to, it's there for me.  This tea has excellent mango flavor, not too sweet and the green tea flavor isn't lost but there's something else in there that's sweet...  I see a purple flower but I don't know what it is!  I think this tastes better warm than cold but that's up to you.  I brewed this one right away and I'm glad I did because the flavor is amazing - a bit more tart than the others but I like that.  Reminds me of green mangoes...

Blueberry Rooibos - $7.95 (100 g)

I can't decide whether I like this hot or cold better but again, it's got a really robust blueberry flavor.  I think this would go great with a something lemony - either a tart or pie of some sort.  The tea barista said this would be great cold so I might give it another try on a hot day and see how it goes.  Either way, it's really good.

Long Island Strawberry Green Tea - $7.95 (100 g)

This one tastes better cold than hot - brew it and then stick it in the fridge in the bottle itself or strain it into another bottle.  I know it doesn't look like much but this is packed full of strawberry flavor and again, not too sweet and the green tea is still there.  I know it doesn't look as appetizing as some of the other strawberry drinks you'll have this summer but it's got the antioxidants and great flavor without all the calories or artificial flavorings/sweeteners/additives.  

Surprise Rooibos - $7.95 (100 g)

If you guess the main ingredient correctly, you get a free sample - Tea Barista (???  What else could I call them?).  
Monkey had a failed attempt (ha ha!) but I guess right and got myself 50 g for free!  I never win anything so I'm super excited!  I'd tell you what it tastes like but that would ruin the surprise.  Go there and guess for yourself to win that free sample because it's worth it.  The tea tastes excellent!  Complex layering of flavors but the secret ingredients provides a robust fragrance even when the taste is quite subtle.  

The Granville Island Tea Company specializes in one thing and one thing only - great organic teas.  So if you're a tea fan/aficianado, this is the place to go for your tea fix.  And try to guess the Surprise Rooibos - you'll be surprised by how distracted by the various scents and noises you can get while you're trying to guess.  Good luck and bon appetite!


Pros:

• Excellent tea selection - all naturally flavored
• Friendly and patient customer service
• Located in the Market - a nice mecca offering local foods, ingredients and artisanal items.

Cons:

• It serves tea and that's it - well, what else did you expect?
• No sitting area - standing room only
• On the pricey side - definitely more than your typical Twinings tea bag