Teavanna's tea products are amazing-I haven't found a Jasmine tea in teabag form that compares to the experience I've had in Thai restaurants like Teavanna's oolong jasmine tea. The tea has a strong jasmine flavor, not a 'hint' of jasmine like bagged teas. With that being said, one need approach buying tea at Teavanna with as much suspicion as buying a used car. \n\nThey rope you in with free tea samples and then proceed to ask if its your first time at Teavanna. From that point, you have SUCKER written on your forehead. I was shown three different jasmine teas and was nudged to purchase the most expensive one. The salesman extolled the virtues of the special tea canister-it supposedly keeps the tea fresh. The clerk asked me if I wanted a pound and then weighed it out on the scale: $115!!! I had him to return some of it to the storage bin and my order came to $49 with a tea canister and tax.\n\n The clerk tried to get me to buy a porcelain tea pot because it maintains optimal heat or something to that effect. At least I knew to purchase that at the local Asian food store ($6 for a glass teapot at Super G). When I looked at the catalog with my purchase, I found that they actually have 2 canisters. The smaller one, which would have fit my purchase better, was $4.50 as opposed to $7. Do you think the clerk told me that? NOPE. Unless you're looking to spend an outrageous sum on tea, I would recommend finding a REPUTABLE Asian foods store or tea shop. The salespeople are sales are paid on commission (as an inside source informed me) and thus their knowledge is always spun in favor of you making a big purchase. Approach this store with caution-they look out for incredulous, bourgeois South Park customers who can afford to drop some $$$ at the recommendations of tea specialists.
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