So which tea is best?

Whittard's of Chelsea or Fortnum and Mason?

Would it be Fortnum because it is pricier?

I like both especially when compared to American versions of the same flavors, but of the two I think Fortnum and Mason is better.

I had tea at Fortnum and Mason. It's the ONLY place I have had tea so can't comment on the others. I really liked the tea and F & M. The room was lovely, without feeling stuffy. There was a piano player providing nice background music. People were dressed nicely..actually a couple of people were wearing jeans but nice jeans with a nice sweater or jacket, but suits and ties were obviously not required. The tea was about 20 pounds I believe. They actually had two different ones. One was more expensive and seemed to be more of I guess it's referred to as "high tea"..heavier and more food. We had the afternoon tea. There were three or four different types of tea offered. I can't remember what we had but it was good. Then there were scones, jam, clotted cream, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches and pastries. If you ate them all, they filled it up again. I'm drooling right now. I ate so many scones I thought we were going to have to call a meat wagon to get me out of there. So, anyway, can't compare to anywhere else, but I was quite happy with F & M. If you go there be sure to pick up some blood orange marmalade downstairs...it is delicious!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!! So now you KNOW how much I know about tea!!!!! Oh, too too funny!!!!!

I love Fortnum and Mason teas. Their Christmas spice tea is probably my favorite blend. The sampler packs (6,9 or 12 different types) are great gifts and travel really well. nwtraveler has it right--either Whittard or F&M are a major improvement over what you can find in the US.

While we like them both, we still prefer Mariage Freres.

OK, it isn't a European company but Harney & sons have excellent tea. I've been ordering from them for years. I'm partial to Chinese teas and can highly recommend their Queen Catherine blend, as well as their English Breakfast blend. They have a great website and you can order samples for $2.00. www.harney.com lynda

Once you get addicted to PG Tips, everything else seems terribly weak.

The Dorchester's tea was very good but call first to make sure they are not having some noisy event in one of the side rooms. Everytime the door opened we could hear loud rock. The Lanesborough was also delicious, served in the conservatory with live piano music. http://www.elegant-lifestyle.com/afternoon-teas.htm
Getting too expensive for Americans-the pound is rising again.

Fortnum's will always win. However I am not a huge fan of their blended teas, I much prefer the single estate ones which have far more subtle and individual characters. Try a darjeeling Chamong.

Question: Will I be able to find decaffeinated black tea (or herbal tea) at F&M? I know it's blasphemy, but I cannot take the caffiene.

Any idea on the decaf tea? Thank you.

stw, Are you talking about purchasing or drinking decaf tea at F&M? I've purchased their breakfast blend as decaf but I don't know if it's served in the restaurants. They do, however, serve a variety of herbal teas.

Thanks obxgirl. I was wondering if they serve decaf tea at their restauarants. An herbal tea would be a good substitute if they do not serve a decaf Earl Grey or such.

My own preference is for Mariage Frères, but I also like Jackson's [no longer] of Piccadilly. That shop was a real favorite of ours.