How I did it: I had started getting really into Tea a few years ago so I had acquired a bunch of teas before this adventure began. I started with teas I had then I started to buy them when I found one I thought looked interesting or on sale. I also started getting tea for presents since all my family & friends learned of my tea obsession. I found teas in the grocery store, asian markets, specialty stores, etc...

Lessons & tips: Try out teas that you think will appeal to you. Also step out of your usual tea comfort zone and try ones that you never have, even if you don't like it you gain that knowledge for next time.
Buy teas when they go on sale so you can try them and if you don't like them you know you didn't spend too much on them.
Try teas a few different ways: plain, with milk, sugar, lemon, honey, sugar substitutes.
Try the tea warm and then try it iced.
Buy tea in different forms: tea bags, loose leaf tea, pyramids, flowering teas. It adds a bit of excitement to the process.
Also try all types of teas you can find: black, green, red, white, herbal, oolong, etc...
Buy yourself a few gadgets like a tea strainer, cute teapots and tea cups. I used an electric tea kettle alot so I didn't have to boil water or use the microwave and the water was always there when I needed a refill.
Have fun!

Resources: http://www.bigelowtea.com/
http://www.stashtea.com/
http://www.liptont.com/
http://www.republicoftea.com/
http://www.touchorganic.com/
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/
http://www.revolutiontea.com/
http://www.tazo.com/
http://www.twinings.com/home.php
http://www.yogiproducts.com/index.php/

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Sep 28, 2009, 11:14AM PDT | 2 comments | 15 cheers