The start of the new year is often a time when people resolve to try new things - so what better opportunity to expand your tea collection? If like many people you tend to stick to black tea, it might be time to try out some other varieties and see whether there is anything that suits your taste buds. There are hundreds of tea varieties out there, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find one that you like. Here are some that you might not have heard of before, but could revolutionise your tea drinking in 2013!
Green Tea
This has become more popular over recent years, not least because the health benefits of green tea have been better promoted. Treat yourself to some Bi Luo Chun, which is widely considered to be one of the best green teas out there - it is grown in a high mountain garden and the leaves are skilfully picked. Brewed well, you will find the tea has a mellow taste with slight buttery undertones - perfect if you're new to drinking green tea!
Oolong Tea
One of the lesser known varieties is oolong, but it can be a great choice if you are a fan of fragrant teas. Tia Kwan Yin is harvested from just a few trees and was once only available to the elite classes - the great thing about it is that the unique fragrance remains after several infusions. This is the perfect loose leaf tea if you prefer sweeter varieties.
Fruit Tea
A top quality fruit tea can make a refreshing change, so why not add some to your collection over the coming year? Japanese Cherry is a blend of green tea, rosella and jasmine flower petals, all complete with a natural cherry and chocolate flavour. You can enjoy it brewed in the usual way, or even as an iced tea in hotter weather.