Seems like tea is everyone's cup of you-know-what these days. Here at Bon Appétit, we have more tea kettles per capita than color printers, and we're using them to steep a whole slew of teas that go beyond the standard English Breakfast. We asked a handful of tea obsessives what they’re drinking, so you can drink 'em up at home.
“A deep-steamed sencha [green tea] that’s earthy with a mild yuzu kick. It’s clean and easy-drinking but makes you stop and think.” —Jacob Daugherty, sommelier, Brushstroke, NYC; $27 for 100 g.
“My grandmother was British, so we always had a cabinet of brawny black teas. Gold Thread is no grandma tea—the young leaf buds create a nuanced, less tannic cup.” —Jessica Koslow, owner, Sqirl, L.A.; $24 for 2 oz.
“Sunshine in a glass. It’s unusually creamy, with a sweet, fresh-mowed-grass aroma. For someone just starting out, it’s a real gateway tea.” —Liz Mendez, wine director, Vera, Chicago; $18 for 2 oz.
“This jasmine-scented tea is visually impressive. It blooms in hot water like a flower.” —Rodrick Markus, CEO, Rare Tea Cellar; $40 for 4 oz.
“Rich and fruity with zesty tannins, this oolong—Darjeeling leaf grown in Nepal— shows the huge potential in Himalayan tea.” —Kevin Gascoyne, tea taster, Camellia Sinensis, Montreal; $17 for 50 g.