Pick one tea you like, or two. Steep and enjoy.
South Indian Nilgiri black tea is sprightly, medium-bodied, and flamboyantly fragrant, with an appetizing greenness to the flavor. Available at Chadotea.com.
Chinese Lapsang Souchong has a smokiness like Scotch or Irish whiskey: syrupy, rich, and a powerful ally of salmon, dill, pickles, and chutney. Available at Jing Tea or Mark T. Wendell.
North Indian Darjeeling black tea captures Darjeeling’s elusive “muscatel” flavor: delicate and complex. Available at Upton Tea Imports.
Chinese Jasmine Yin-Hao and Jasmine Pearls are handmade and intensely scented. For the best flavor, they must be steeped for less than two minutes in water about 30 degrees below boiling. Get them at SpecialTeas.
Taiwanese Bai Hao (also known as Formosa Oolong or Oriental Beauty) Oolong tea is famous for its “peach pit” aroma and flavor, and it has no astringency or bitterness. Find it at Imperial Tea Court.
Tableware courtesy of Kar’ikter and Crate and Barrel.