Top Ten Teas 2026
Back in 2010 I wrote a 13 part series on Tea, back then I was huge into loose-leaf teas and herbal blends. I had a large stash at the office and at home. And I tended to alternate coffee and tea all day long. Often making one of each and drinking the coffee and then the tea. My favourite tea’s back then were mostly from Teaopia a Canadian tea chain found in malls and storefronts across Canada. Within a few years Teaopia was purchased by Teavana in 2012 later that same year Starbuck’s purchased Teavana, and ended their long time partnership with Tazo Tea. When Teavana first purchased Teaopia they committed to carrying the Top 20 teas from Teaopia, once Starbuck’s purchased them those blends disappeared. And not long after Starbuck’s shuttered the stand alone Teavana stores. So I switched to David’s Tea, There were many blends from David’s I enjoyed. I could walk downtown at lunch from work, try a new tea, and pick up a tin if I enjoyed it. Or just stock up on ones that needed refilling. At the beginning of the pandemic almost my entire collection at home and work was David’s Tea’s. Unfortunately, during the pandemic, they closed most of their retail stores. And without that local presence I used up what I had and never got around to replacing them.
Also for the first three years of the pandemic I switched from alternating coffee and tea to drink almost exclusively coffee I was having 4-8 quad americanos a day from my home espresso machine. Which brings us to the here and now in 2024 I have gone the better part of a year with only a handful of coffee’s. In 2023 I created a Top Ten Tea List and updated in in 2024, Top Ten Teas 2024, but with having a mug on the go from the time I get up until the time I go to bed I have tried a number of new ones. Unfortunately a few of my favourites have been discontinued, and I am always open to trying something new, here is my list of Top Ten Teas 2026, My current favourite teas are:
1. Stash Christmas Eve (Seasonal)
Cinnamon, orange peel, spearmint, vanilla extract, orange oil, natural cinnamon flavor, natural clove flavor.
I fell in love with this tea, when the health food store had it on sale after Christmas I bought their whole stock. It won’t last me the year, but currently one of my favorite teas. I now buy up to a dozen boxes to get the through the year.
2. Twinings Irish Breakfast
Black tea.
I have been drinking this tea as long as I can remember. It was Gram’s favorite and I am not sure she ever drank anything else at home. Every time I sip this it is like sitting at nana’s and having fresh scones from the oven.
3. Stash Double Bergamot Earl Gray
Blended black teas, bergamot oil.
This one has been a long-time favorite, it and the Irish Breakfast are the only two I am still drinking from 10 years ago. It is Earl Grey with extra oomph.
4. Stash Moroccan Mint Tea
Green tea, spearmint, lemongrass, peppermint.
This is an excellent blend. I do not drink it as often as the 10 above. But I always have it on hand and it never disappoints. It is a perfect blend of the four ingredients.
5. Twinings Antioxidant+
Citrus & Ginger Green Tea: Smooth green tea is blended with lively citrus flavours and the warming character of ginger for a bright and refreshing cup.
With Vitamin C & Echinacea: Thoughtfully blended with vitamin C and Echinacea as part of the Twinings Superblends range.
A friend gave me a box of this and it has been in high rotation all year.
6. Stash Lemon Ginger
Ginger root, Lemongrass, Natural lemon flavor, Hibiscus, Citric acid, Safflower.
Described as “Like a walk in the sunshine. This vibrant blend of smooth lemongrass and bright lemon flavor refreshes your senses with a vitalizing boost of spicy ginger root, an ancient remedy used for centuries to support healthy digestion.” I switched from Twinings to Stash for this tea this year.
7. Twinings Orange Cinnamon Spice
Made with rooibos, Vietnamese cinnamon, natural orange flavour, orange flavour naturally fortified, and orange peel.
Like sitting in grandma’s kitchen eating cookies right from the over.
8. Stash Wild Raspberry Hibiscus
Hibiscus, rosehips, lemongrass, licorice root, natural raspberry flavor, orange peel.
This was a gift from my daughter at father’s day. She picked me up 4 new flavours and 2 old standbys. I absolutely loved this one.
9. Stash Cranberry Pomegranate (Seasonal)
Hibiscus, rooibos, natural cranberry flavour, natural pomegranate flavour.
A fall seasonal tea from Stash. I picked it up late last year on clearance at the local health food store and went back the next day and bought all the boxes they had. And now it is back out again so I can resupply.
10. Stash Sunny Orange Ginger
Orange peel, ginger root, hibiscus, liquorice root, safflower, orange oil, citric acid.
Lemon Ginger is always popular this is its kinder gentler little brother. It is softer with more subtle flavours, less in your face and more by your side. Great in the evening or while lounging with a book.
My taste in teas has changed a lot over the years. But I tend to prefer herbal blends, and teas with a bit of a kick. Once I drank almost all white or African red bush teas (Rooibos). And I love a good Monk’s Blend just have not found one to my taste now. For a little over a decade, I drank almost exclusively loose-leaf tea. But not I keep about 16 types of bagged tea. With the ones listed above in high rotation. I am currently drinking between 3 and 10, 16 ounce mugs a day.
I also used to drink a lot of tea from Republic of Tea but find tracking it down in Canada is too difficult. And I have heard amazing things about Adagio Tea but have only tried one or two cups at friends. Let me know what you think of my selections above and drop your favourite teas in the comments below.
Related Articles:
0. Tea Tea Everywhere - Teaopia Mad Hatter Tea Party
1. Tea an Overview
2. Red Teas
3. Green Teas
4. White Teas
5. Black Teas
6. Matcha Tea
7. Yerba Mate
8. Fruit Blends
9. Wellness Blends
10. Herbal Teas
11. Purveyors of Fine Tea (my preferences.)
12. Custom Blending
13. My Favourite Teas
Top Ten Teas of 2010
0. Tea Tea Everywhere - Teaopia Mad Hatter Tea Party
1. Tea an Overview
2. Red Teas
3. Green Teas
4. White Teas
5. Black Teas
6. Matcha Tea
7. Yerba Mate
8. Fruit Blends
9. Wellness Blends
10. Herbal Teas
11. Purveyors of Fine Tea (my preferences.)
12. Custom Blending
13. My Favourite Teas
Top Ten Teas of 2010
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"Now we can travel with more books stored in our telephones than the ancient Egyptians kept in their vast library at Alexandria."
Mike Aquilina
“No tea cup is big enough nor book long enough for me to be satisfied.”
C.S. Lewis
"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left over I buy food and clothes!"
Erasmus
My desk pre-pandemic at the office with a collection of teas on the left side of the monitors.
