Tazo, Because adding a bunch of sugar is as American as apple pie. (Wait. Do they have apple flavored tea? Wow)

Sometimes you don't have a lot of options. You're in a situation where you absolutely need a cup of tea or coffee. Perhaps a tasty snack too would help to wash away the taste of inadequacy left from a lifetime of not living up to your potential. You reach deep into you wallet and see something glistening. It's that Starbucks gift card you received in lieu of a proper holiday bonus. (do these things expire. I mean how long has it been in there?) Oh well, you're going to roll with it. As you begin instructing Siri to direct you to the nearest location. Then it dawns on you. You're already there! Weird. That deep, unsettling, deja vu like feeling you are experiencing is quickly extinguished by the sound of roaring steamers, chattering aspiring playwrights and smooth jazz.

You might be wondering why we're here. This is supposed to be a Tazo Tea review. The favorite tea of overpriced Air B&B's everywhere. It was owned by Starbucks, then sold to Unilever 2017 for a hefty sum of 384 million, if you must know. You probably could have guessed just by how many flavors they have to offer because there are so, so many. Don't get me wrong, I'll sip a cuppa in a pinch. I like to be "regenerated" as much as anyone else, after all. Let's not spend too much time in the weeds here. We should talk about their history now. It seems as good a time as any.

Tazo Tea was founded in 1994 in Portland, Oregon by Steven Smith. It gained popularity for its unique blends and became part of the Starbucks brand in 1999. It was then sold to Unilever in 2017. As for their tea leaves, Tazo sources them from various regions globally, including countries like China, India and Africa, to create their diverse range of flavors. However, specific details about their sourcing vary, as companies often "adjust suppliers" based on factors like availability and quality. Honestly, their story is a little convoluted and composed mostly of a blend of corporate jargon and buzzwords. It's a tad irritating. I'm not a Steven Smith autobiographer anyway so I'm not going to dig that hard. Besides, I have some Tazo Tea to taste!

You know the rules. We tried two of their top bestsellers. For Tazo it was "Refresh Mint" and "Zen". Brewed according to the instructions as usual. First thing that comes to mind. Why is it already so sweet? This is crazy! Neither are bad and they're not good. One positive I can say is that it's readily accessible. One might even describe Tazo as ubiquitous. Wherever you are, finding their tea is probable. It'll do in a pinch. Unfortunately we find ourselves in the same position we were in with Lipton! It's not really American tea. At least not anymore. It's marketed in a way that may seem so but as we know, Unilever's Headquarters are in the UK and the tea leaves are sourced from around the globe. I can forgive the sourcing of tea leaves. I understand how business is done. I guess I'm frustrated that the lion's share of the profits are sent overseas. Suppose I'm petty like that.

I'm starting to see a pattern emerge. Are there any Truly American Teas widely available? Does it actually matter? Sure, there's some fantastic small businesses selling their own brands and blends. But they aren't available to everyone. You can order most online but I'm looking for something I could just as easily waltz into a market and buy as I could click and wait for.

The Hunt Continues. We Shall Never Surrender!

Celestial Seasonings Is Up Next!

Thank You For Stopping By.