My first experience with "real" tea was at a Zen monastery located near my childhood home. Tea was often a welcome respite during the day's visit. I've come to appreciate and enjoy most teas - from the hearty Assams and earthy Pu-Erhs to the exquisite Darjeelings and the most ephemeral whites. My days usually progress with the aid of several cups.

View Frank's favorites.

Since the early 70s, I have always loved to drink breakfast style teas with milk, no sugar. When I first came to Upton Tea in 1995 and started to discover the depth and variety of fine loose leaf tea, I found myself drawn to the teas I could drink plain - the refined Darjeelings, the spicy Oolongs, the clean greens and the delicate whites. I still enjoy a malty, rich Assam with milk for breakfast but then move on to lighter bodied teas for the rest of the day. I do love the taste of tea but it is the aroma that I find uplifting and inspiring!

View Karen's favorites.

I started drinking tea as a young girl and have loved it ever since. My choices used to be quite simple: English and Irish breakfast blends or strong Earl Grey. A family member finally introduced me to loose leaf tea and from then on, I was hooked. Once I was old enough to buy my own tea, I started to experiment a bit more. I discovered Upton Tea Imports first as a satisfied customer but now enjoy tea daily, as an employee.

My tastes in tea and my appreciation for variety has grown significantly since working here. Though my journey with tea started with a love for strong, hearty breakfast teas, I find that I now prefer lighter, more floral teas, such as lightly oxidized Formosa Oolongs and First Flush Darjeelings. My preferences continue to change and I find new favorites everyday.

View Amanda's favorites.

I confess to starting out with strong coffee leanings from the time I was old enough to drink it, with the occasional cuppa for good measure as a comfort beverage. It was not until around 2002, at the insistence of converted family members that I had no Idea what I was missing by not partaking of good, fresh, loose tea, that I made the transition (made easier, I suspect, by the aid of some good Pu-Ehr teas). I usually favor a stronger, darker cup (Assams and Pu-Ehrs) and the vegetal Japanese greens but am truly grateful for the education I have received from fellow staff members as well as customers of Upton Tea.

View Rebecca's favorites.

I had always been a coffee drinker.

When I started working at Upton back in the fall of 2008, that changed pretty dramatically. My tea experience before that time had been limited to whatever bottles came out of the vending machines in college. From day one, all of my coworkers set to the task of educating and exposing me to all that the humble tea plant has to offer.

I think my coffee maker suspects I've found someone else.

View Dan's favorites.

Growing up in a typical Irish family meant that tea was served during every meal. It was a steamy cup of tea that warmed us after a cold winters day of ice skating, skiing, and sledding. My Mother believed that tea and cake would make you feel better no matter what life had thrown your way. When I was 19, I spent three and a half months in Ireland and exclusively enjoyed loose-leaf teas. What a treat! My Irish family taught me how to warm the pot, brew the tea, and place a cosy around the teapot so it would stay warm all morning. This was a new level of tea enjoyment! Tea was part of their everyday social life and being on "Irish time" meant we had time to savor an extra cup. When I returned home I continued to drink loose-leaf teas. I had my favorite teas and friends continued to send me loose-leaf teas when they traveled. I discovered that I really loved the Darjeeling and Assam teas. Working for Upton Tea Imports is a great education on fine teas.

View Kay's favorites.