7 Gifts Tea Lovers Will Go Gaga For
Being a tea drinker involves a whole lot more than simply dipping a pre-packaged bag into a cup of hot water. As any tea enthusiast will tell you, drinking tea is an experience, and, for many, a daily ritual. As such, the best gifts for tea lovers are ones that will enhance the practice. To help you out, we’ve created a handy guide on not only how to shop for tea lovers, but which gifts to pick up.
How to Shop for Tea Lovers
Shopping for tea is more complicated than it sounds. Rather than throwing a box or two from the supermarket into your cart, you’ll want to consider the art behind the tradition, which includes everything from choosing the right tea cup (we recommend porcelain as they’re non-porous and preventing the tannins, or or astringents that bound to organic compounds, in tea from sticking the sides, keeping flavors bold) to finding the right additions to get the most out of your brew. Below, we break down things to consider while shopping for tea.
Choose a loose-leaf tea: Most people drink tea via the boxed and bagged variety, but true tea aficionados know the richest flavors lie with loose-leaf teas. Teas of the bagged variety are mainly assembled from finely-broken tea leaves, which means that most of the aroma and flavor of these leaves has been released before it can ever be enjoyed. Loose-leaf tea, on the other hand, comes with its ingredients fully intact, keeping flavor intact until it’s brewed. For the richest and boldest flavor, loose-leaf tea is definitely the most luxurious way to go.
Choose a top-notch mug: Everyone knows you can’t have a cup of tea without a great mug. Whether you opt for a top-of-the-line model featuring a built-in tea bag holder for the home or office ($34, Uncommon Goods) or a travel mug that can steep on-the-go ($19.73, Amazon), you can never have too many cups from which to drink your beverage of choice.
Cover your bases: For the tea-devoted, having the right tools on hand is key to making the perfect cup. Outfit any tea arsenal with items such as a high-quality infuser ($9.99, Amazon), a top-notch kettle ($149, Amazon), or the perfect complementary snack ($21.95, Amazon).
Think outside the box: If you want to get something less functional and more whimsical, you’re in luck: There are tons of fun, kitschy tea gifts out there. Our favorite? A teapot-shaped purse ($89, Uncommon Goods) that’s both adorable and on-theme.
Best Gifts for Tea Lovers
Ready to start shopping? We’ve rounded up seven gifts that any tea lover on your list is sure to love. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best gifts for tea lovers.
We write about products we think our readers will like. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the supplier.
Best Loose Leaf Tea
Solstice Loose Leaf Tea Ultimate Sampler
Where to buy: $25.99, Amazon
If you’re looking to go the traditional route with your gift, pick up a sample set of high-quality loose leaf tea, like this one from Solstice Tea. It includes an array of 12 popular varietals that will allow your giftee to try new blends and create their own custom mixes. Flavors include Masala chai, peach tea, gunpowder green tea, rooibos, red fruit hibiscus, Sencha green tea, Irish breakfast tea, English breakfast tea, blue hibiscus, limonello herbal, earl grey, and Mirik darjeeling tea.
Best Tea Mug
Where to buy: $34, Uncommon Goods
Drinking tea is a meant to be relaxing, but having to interrupt your repose to dispose of a tea bag can make it anything but. Enter this tea bag pocket mug from Uncommon Goods. Handmade in Effort, Pennsylvania, this stoneware is gorgeously crafted with a lustrous glaze and has a built-in pocket that’s designed to hold your tea bag once it’s been fully steeped. That means your loved one can fully enjoy their cuppa uninterrupted and stress-free.
Best Electric Tea Kettle
Willow & Everett Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Where to buy: $59.99, Amazon
If there’s one tool every tea drinker should have in their arsenal, it’s a top-notch kettle. For an electric version, we love this gooseneck option from Willow & Everett. Equipped with a high-quality food-grade stainless steel, this device comes complete with an air-tight spill-free lid, an ergonomic BPA-free handle, and a 1000 watt, 120-volt electric base that will quickly and conveniently boil your water in 90 seconds. Best of all, this kettle has an auto shut-off feature that will immediately power down once a boil is reached for safe brews, every time.
Best Tea Infuser Mug
Tea Forte Kati Cup
Where to buy: $19.73, Amazon
Is your gift recipient someone that’s always on the move? Then you might want to consider this Tea Forte Kati cup. Designed to steep on-the-go, it comes with a 12-ounce insulated cup, a stainless steel loose leaf tea infuser, and a secure lid. It’s made from durable ceramic and comes in four fashionable colors.
Best Tea Sticks
Oh! Nuts Holiday Honey Sticks Gift Set
Where to buy: $21.95, Amazon
For many tea drinkers, the number one choice of sweetener is honey. This Oh! Nuts holiday honey stick set comes with 50 yummy straws in five delectable flavors (clover, orange, buckwheat, wildflower, and blackberry) making for a unique, sugary gift. Best of all, these sticks are non-dairy, Kosher, and are made without any artificial flavors or coloring!
Best Tea Accessory
Akori Lee Mitsune Felt Teapot Purse
Where to buy: $89, Uncommon Goods
If you’re the type that prefers to give a more unique gift, why not pick up this adorable felt teapot purse from Uncommon Goods? Adding a touch of whimsy to any tea lovers’ look, this darling handmade accessory is as cute as they come, making it impossible for your giftee to resist a pretend pour. It features an inside pocket, feet on the bottom, and a removable shoulder strap.
Best Tea Set
Royal Albert “Old Country Roses” 3-Piece Tea Set
Where to buy: $119.99 (Originally $300), Macy’s
If you want to go all out for your favorite tea drinker, go for a high-end tea set, like this one from Royal Albert. Coming in a popular English rose pattern, this bone china set comes with a tea pot, sugar bowl, and a milk pourer. To complete the set for them, pick up the matching 12-piece tea cup set ($129.99, Macy’s).
See more of our best product recommendations.
More from Woman’s World
21 Gifts the Book Lovers in Your Life Will Flip Over
15 Clever White Elephant Gifts People Will Actually Want to Take Home
