question for Canadians: Rose Rose tea

[passatdoc]

When I lived in New England, the markets sold a really tasty brand of tea known as Red Rose. In general, not sold or hard to find in the USA outside of the Northeast*. I can't remember if it was black tea or orange pekoe, but for a mass-produced, mid-priced, affordable brand, it was far better than any US brands. Sometimes if visiting in New England or New York, I will bring back a box or two.

Is Red Rose still a big deal in Canada?
Has it spread in the USA outside of the Northeast? I never see it in California.

*New England stores carried other Canadian products such as Habitant Soup and Stoned Wheat Thins, which at the time I'd never seen growing up in California. Stoned Wheat Thins are today easy to find throughout the country, but in the early to mid 1970s, they were mostly sold in the Northeast as an exotic imported Canadian brand.

 

[maytagbear]

I'm drinking a cup of Red Rose decaffeinated tea

right the heck now! (I also drink the regular, but today is a decaf day, due to pure volume of tea ingested!)

It's available as far west as Ohio.

Even includes the Wade porcelain figures, though I do not like this current series as much as the previous series, the "pet shop" series, or the very first one when I started drinking Red Rose tea, and got a "Little Red Riding Hood" figure.

I imagine they would ship. The website link is below:

Lawrence/Maytagbear[this post was last edited: 12/14/2010-10:22]

Red Rose Tea | Black Tea, Herbals Tea, Iced Tea

Red Rose Tea is blended with care to create a perfectly balanced, great-tasting tea. We’re committed to continue sharing our love for tea with you and your family for years to come. Shop online!

redrosetea.com

 

[lordkenmore]

I have seen Red Rose tea in my area. I'm not sure that it's still on the market here--I'll have to keep an eye out.

 

[passatdoc]

The logo on that website (oval with a rose and "Red Rose" in bold red fonts) is what I remember. As a freshman in college, I had an electric kettle for boiling water (actually, a small plastic electric coffee percolator with the basket removed, it would boil water very quickly; later, a West Bend Hot Pot which was aluminum but very slow), so I could make tea in my room.

Auto drip coffee makers existed, but were very expensive (and new), beyond the economic reach of most students, plus the first models were kitchen-sized (8-12 cups) and not dorm room sized (1-4 cups). Tea was easier to make and less of a clean-up issue, since I didn't have a sink in my room, nor a common kitchen area, and had to fill my kettle from the communal bathroom sinks.

There was a ma and pa market around the corner from my dorm, and I think they sold two brands: Lipton (ick) and Red Rose. It was the same price as Lipton so I decided to try it, and was glad that I did. I drink my tea black (I had no fridge in my dorm room that year to keep milk cold) and Red Rose was very tasty. Sometimes I would filch the food service tea bags from the school dining hall (intended for use INSIDE the dining hall....) which was black tea and not bad, but not as good as Red Rose. It was worth paying the money for it, rather than filch tea bags from the dining hall.

 

[maytagbear]

Glad

I could help!

I take my tea in great amounts, and either with sugar or Splenda.
(A dear woman friend alleges that I am an honorary Southerner for taking tea hot or iced with sweetening.)

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[countryguy]

Red Rose is still very popular here in Ontario.

Gary

 

[turquoisedude]

Funny, I can't honestly remember if it still in stores here in La Belle Province... I will try to remember to open my eyes and look for it!

 

[lordkenmore]

"Tea was easier to make and less of a clean-up issue, since I didn't have a sink in my room, nor a common kitchen area, and had to fill my kettle from the communal bathroom sinks."

Well, there's always instant coffee. Like Folgers--which was good enough to be served in the finest restaurants!

Link to YouTube Folgers' Ad:
[this post was last edited: 12/14/2010-13:44]

 

[petek]

Not a tea drinker myself other than when I was small. My folks both being from the UK were/are. Mom drinks it by the gallon and it's pretty much always Red Rose. The history section in that website link above says it's available in the US but the company has passed thru quite a few hands. Unilever the current owner sold the brand to a company in NY for the USA market but continues to keep it for themselves elsewhere so whether the American "made" Red Rose is exactly the same as the Canadian one who knows.. I'd imagine it is.

I'd forgotten about those little figurines that used to come in the boxes..like the website says,, they are very collectible now. I wonder if any lurk at moms house.. they probably just got tossed out.

 

[circlew]

Have seen this brand in both Kroger and Meijer, but never tried it. Was using Tetley British Blend for quite a while, but switched a year or so ago to Luzianne (blend for iced tea) and like it very well - drinking a glass right now. Will try Red Rose when I buy tea again.

 

[rp2813]

I know I've seen Red Rose in stores around here, but it's been a long time.

I think the shelves full of more trendy designer teas in the grocery stores now tell the tale. Red Rose was probably aced out, at least where the major retailers are concerned, and shelf space is at a premium.

 

[maytagbear]

That would be too bad,

for Red Rose is an excellent "supermarket" or "everyday" tea.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[circlew]

The website lists a number of stores in California selling their product, including Safeway.

 

[kevin313]

They have been selling Red Rose tea here in Detroit for many years. I believe it is an orange-pekoe blend.

 

[maytagbear]

Kevin-

Have you ever been over to Tea Haus?

It is a delightful place in Ann Arbor. My friend Linn and I were in Ann Arbor in early November, and had extremely delicious tea there.

204 N 4th Ave, Ann Arbor. Link is to Tea Haus.

We also had lunch at Zingerman's deli. SO worth the the hype.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

TeaHaus

We offer the highest quality teas available with over 175 teas in our collection.

teahaus-annarbor.com

 

[passatdoc]

@ LordKenmore

I tried Folger's Coffee Crystals in my room freshman year. Not very good. Also, while I take my tea black, I do put milk in coffee and avoid drinking it black. I didn't have a fridge in my room until junior year, so I had no way to store milk or half and half in my room.

Today they sell those little single serving containers of half and half or non dairy creamer that are sealed and can store at room temp, but back then it was either milk in the fridge or Coffee Mate powder, the taste of which I always hated. So for me, tea was the simpler option.

In the dining hall, I'd get my coffee. Funny thing is, I often slept through breakfast and only ate lunch and dinner (14 meal plan instead of 20 meal plan), which means back then I would start my day WITHOUT COFFEE (though sometimes a cuppa tea in my room). Unthinkable now that I ever did such a thing.

I have friends from my hometown of San Diego with relatives in Rhode Island, and they'd always come home with a stash of Red Rose tea.

 

[petek]

Kevin I keep meaning to ask you.. whereabouts are u etc.. maybe send me an email so I can get in touch about when I'm having another vac mini-meet so you can come by if you want. Its not all about vacs if you're not interested.. tons of mixers and blenders and things. I'm in Sarnia so you know where that is I'd assume, across the bridge from Port Huron. LOL
Actually anyone else on here from the area too. Matt etc.

 

[kevin313]

Maytagbear - I've not been to Tea Haus, but I've heard people talk about it. Zingerman's, however, is one of my very favorite places! I agree - it lives up to the hype!

 

[mickeyd]

'Tis a wonderful tea, Doc

Sold all over the Buffalo area, much beloved, with a wide popularity, and my kitchen window sill is home to the doggies--a chocolate Lab and Spaniel puppies--which came as bonuses in former boxes. Haven't bought it lately, because I'm only allowed green decaf at the present time.

The box is very light for 48 bags, with the hundred bagger weighing not much more, and would be a cinch to ship for peanuts.
Be happy to send you a box; simply forward your address.

And indeed, 'tis orange rather than black. Wonder if it will taste as good as you remember it.