Top Five Places to Buy Tea in Northern Virginia

1. Whole Foods Market at Fair Lakes This location of the popular natural grocery store has quite a selection of tea.  One entire side of an aisle is dedicated to boxes of tea of all types.  This is definitely the place to go for a box of organic, fair trade tea.  There are boxes of more traditional teabags, whole leaf tea bags, and loose leaf tea.  In addition, the Japanese food bar serves blooming teas.  If you prefer a more custom experience, there is a combined Allegra Coffee/Rishi Tea counter where you can order up just the right amount of a variety of Rishi teas.  If you're looking for bottled tea, Whole Foods has that too, with a large stock of Honest Tea and other acceptable bottled teas for quick iced tea fixes.
2. Teavana at Fair Lakes Mall and Tysons Corner Center If you have read my Teavana Shopping Guide  you know there is a bit of a buyer beware element of shopping at Teavana. However, it is one of the largest loose leaf tea sellers in the area.  It is the place to go for a wide selection when you don't want to order on-line.  It is a fantastic place for last minute tea gifts as well.  The prices are sometimes a little higher than on-line stores, but you save on shipping and get instant gratification.  They have samples of some their popular blends (usually over sweetened, so be warned) and except during the holiday season, you can order a cup of tea to go. 
3. Sweet Life Cafe, Fairfax If you want to support local businesses, this is the way to go.  Owned by a local family, they have a selection of Mighty Leaf teas to go, offer afternoon tea parties, and sell loose leaf teas from Tea for All Reasons, a locally based tea company.    
4. Teaism If you want to take a trek into the city, visit Teaism.  Make an event out of it and order food if you like. I recommend the jasmine creme brulee.  A restaurant and store, their retail offerings are very similar to Teavana's.    
5. Wegman's There are two locations locally, one in Fairfax and one in Sterling.  The Fairfax location has a wide selection of teas, very similar to the Fair Lakes Whole Foods as well as a lot of tea-related doo-dads. But the Sterling location is my favorite new discovery.  They have a "Tea Spot" where loose tea is self-serve like the bulk aisle.  Sniff away at large tins of tea without the pressure of a sales person waiting for your order.  Take as much time as you need, that scale isn't going anywhere. When you are ready, scoop into the waiting bags, weigh (tared automatically) and print out a label complete with price and brewing instructions.  The prices are extremely reasonable.  This might be my new favorite way to buy tea.   

Comments

[jorge frapiccini]

where in sterling, ashburn, leesburg, VA can I get
LASO tea?

Jorge Frapiccini
jorgefrapiccini@juno.com

[Stephanie H.]

I haven't heard about LASO tea. But Old Town Coffee Tea and Spice in Alexandria has the widest variety of brands that I'm aware of. Sorry I don't know of anything closer!