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NDR: Teavana fans, please come in
I had my first trip to a Teavana store this past weekend and I love it! This could be a problem because I am now spoiled! 
I didn't realize what all was involved with difference kinds of tea.
They sure blow Celestial Seasonings out of the water! I am in love with
the Lavender Dreams tea. I bought a glass teapot and warmer while I
was there also because I really want to try the blooming teas they have
too, so pretty and unique. Since the tea is on the pricey side (I was a
little surprised at first, to be honest, but so worth it) I don't want
to mess it up when I make it. I have always just heated water up to a
boil on the stove and poured it over the tea bag, but not this stuff. I
was surprised to see the variety of electric kettles online. I decided
to do some research after seeing the Breville One Touch tea maker. It
is really something. I discovered last night how irritating it was to
come to the perfect temperature on the stove with my conventional tea
kettle, so I am going to have to do something. There are a number of
options out there. I don't mind using a tea pot and steeping it on a
timer myself, especially since I already have a few teapots, but I can
definitely see the benefits of this Breville tea maker. Would I be
better off just saving up and getting it or would something like the
Breville Variable Temperature Kettle or something similar work for me
just as well? What do you recommend?
Also, my grandfather drinks Tetley Tea British Blend, which I also like. But now that I have tried some higher quality teas, what are some similar tea options (except better) at Teavana and what other teas do you recommend?
One more question. The guy at the store
mentioned that the loose tea can be used 2-3 more times after the
initial brewing. How do you store it afterward to reuse?
Re: NDR: Teavana fans, please come in
My SIL has the Breville Tea Maker and it is awesome. The electric kettle I had at work broke, and I thought about getting the breville one.... and couldn't justify it. Mainly b/cI drink tea every day - but mostly black tea, so it needs to boil.
I bought this Cuisinart one- from Amazon. I love it so far-it has variable temps, and also a 30 min keep warm feature (which is great!)
Teavana discontinued their Irish Breakfast, which I loved. Their English Breakfast is ok- but it's not as good as the Irish was. My favorite though is "Scottish Breakfast tea" from the Edinborough Tea Company.
I like the lemon pomegranite something or other- it's good!
I don't have a lot of advice regarding Teavana (and oh man, I was in HEAVEN when we went in there - DH stopped me from buying anything), but regarding the brewing 2-3 more times - the way the person at the store made it sound was that we just needed to add more hot water to the tea after emptying it the first time. You can also reuse the blooming tea. We sampled some of that and it was absolutely perfect.
If you have an iPhone, I believe they have an iPhone app that has suggestions on how to brew / mix. (Or, at least they did when I first went to Teavana!)
You can't store wet tea leaves and re use them another day. But you can pour more hot water over them after you drink your teapot full, to make another teapot. I would leave them for a few hours, say, and go back later to make another pot but I would definitely throw them out by the end of the day and use fresh the next day.
I drink tea from a different loose leaf tea store, called David's Tea so my favorite teas probably won't be found at teavana. Just go in, explain the teas you like (black, green, rooibos, etc.) and the flavours you like (I like fruity teas, sweeter dessert teas, etc.) and they should bring down teas for you to sniff or sample until you find some that you love.
I love Teavana!
I just use a french press. We usually drink it iced, so I brew it a bit strong and then pour over ice into a pitcher that I keep in the refrigerator. I follow the little sticker directions for temperature and brew time. I only ever re-use if making a hot pot and want more than a pot. Like pp, I don't think it will keep for any length of time once used.
My favorite Teavana flavors all involve fruit, so I won't be any help if you prefer a more traditional tea. They are: Youthberry Wild Orange Blossom, Peach Crantango, Blackberry Mojito Green Tea & Kamiya Papaya Oolong.
Im a Teavana addict. Lavender Dreams is one of my favorites, too! Try it blended with Lemon Youko. It's like a Lavender Lemonade :-)
As far as the hot water goes, I have this one: http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-appliances/p/zojirushi-gold-hot-water-dispenser/
I keep it at 175 so that I can brew white and green teas, then always just add an extra minute or two for the others. I brew in a cast iron pot.
As far as reusing leaves I only do this with white and green tea. Usually I brew a second cup right after the first then pour it into a plastic cup and stick it in the fridge to be my iced tea later on or the next day.
Other flavors I love: Shanghai Orchid, Earl Grey Cream and Acai Matatini. We really like either Mate Vana or Javana Mate mixed with Cocoa Praline Tart.
I can't STAND tea bags now, or iced tea in most restaurants. I'm a TOTAL and UTTER snob, lol.
Oh, and THIS is fantastic: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004S1CV/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000TFFT7U&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=15V196FFB3FV3KZV1FS0
Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to try that blend. The Earl Grey Cream you mentioned sounds incredible too! I do tend to prefer white and green teas myself also. I am quickly turning into a tea snob, too!
I will definitely have to get something to heat the water to the proper temperature. Thanks for the product recommendations. I will check them out. If you have any other suggestions for tea or products I would love to hear them!
Thanks everyone for all your responses!