Exploring the local tea scene

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Leaves are beginning to turn red, cozy sweaters and boots are now a staple wardrobe item and pumpkin pies are beginning to surface on bakery shelves. Fall has come around at last; this is the season that tea-lovers live for.

Tea is essential, whether you're curled up next to the fireplace reading a book, heading to school in the autumn breeze or merely trying to survive a cold. These local teashops and teas are great places to visit and find new treasures to add to your collection.

The Tea Haus

This loose-leaf teashop is located at 130 King Street on the top floor of Covent Garden Market. The shelves are filled with the largest variety of teas that your heart could ever desire. It carries black tea, green tea, white tea, herbal, decaf and oolong and gives the option of buying tea in increments of 50 grams, 100 grams, 200 grams and 400 grams. It also has tea-ware such as filters and infusers, teapots and tea sets, matching accessories and authentic, uniquely decorated bone China mugs. With a seating area outside the store in the market, a cup of tea can be purchased for on-thego customers or to sit and enjoy in-house.

Top three fall teas: the three fall tea recommendations from The Tea Haus include Nuts and More, Cinnamon Spice and All Weather Tea. The Nuts and More tea is a perfect choice for anyone with a sweet tooth. This blend is herbal and caffeine-free and captures the essence of fall with nutty notes mixed with the sweetness of candy apple. Blended with beetroot, it will turn your tea into the bright red colour of autumn leaves.

Cinnamon spice is a flavoured black tea with a kick that is guaranteed to spice up your tea stash. The blend of cinnamon and orange pieces will keep you warm all the way up until Thanksgiving.

All Weather Tea is a caffeine-free fruit and herbal blend that has been recently added to The Tea Haus' collection. This tea is a traditional European recipe that tastes similar to licorice and will see you through chilly fall days.

DAVID's Tea

DAVIDs TEA is a popular franchise for the modern- day tea lover. Located at White Oaks mall and Masonville mall, this store provides hot and cold on-the-go options as well as loose leaf tea options with a couple of “teas of the day” that are reduced in price.

This tea store carries seasonally decorated mugs, themed tea sets and its new line of tea-flavoured lip balms and hand creams. It also has the “frequent steeper” membership that can be used to receive points and gain rewards such as free packages of tea.

Top three fall teas: Pumpkin Chai, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Blueberry Muffin. The Pumpkin Chai tea has been a fan favourite at DAVIDs TEA since its arrival a couple of years ago. Arguably one of the most adored flavours of fall, this black tea is flavoured with pumpkin, caramel, cinnamon and the best part, pumpkin candies.

Pumpkin Cheesecake, on the other hand, is less spicy and more of a dessert-tasting tea. Flavoured with maple sugar, white chocolate chips and pumpkin spice, this robust tea is definitely a top runner for your fall tea collection.

Blueberry Muffin is another tea that is part of DAVIDs TEA fall tea collection. This herbal tea is a perfect way to fulfill your muffin cravings because it's just as good as the real thing. The main ingredients in this blend are blueberries, raisins and yogurt, a great tea to add to your breakfast routine.

Sundown Tea

This quaint teashop is located at 509 Commissioners Road West and is a charming place to visit for a cup of afternoon tea. With a selection of over 60 loose-leaf teas, tea can be purchased hot or cold with the option to go or sit in. Afternoon tea is available upon reservation that offers a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy tea and three-tiered plates that are filled with various finger foods. Another option that the teashop offers are kids tea parties available upon reservation. Tea accessories are also sold, including unique mugs, teapots and infusers.

Top three fall teas: the three fall tea recommendations from Sundown Tea include Pumpkin Spice, Apple Spice and Peach Apricot. Pumpkin Spice is an essential fall flavour, which is why this black herbal tea is definitely a must-have for pumpkin fans. Apple Spice is a great fall treat that will stave off your apple pie cravings. Maybe. It is a fall-inspired black herbal tea with a sweet and fresh fruity apple flavour, complementarily paired with cinnamon.

Lastly, the Peach Apricot tea is a great way to extend the summer season's iced tea obsession. Great hot as well, this combination is a black herbal tea, rich in apricots and mellow peaches.