The Republic of Tea is a funny company. In their book The Republic of Tea, which details in letters the founding of the company, the company’s founders establish the conceit of the company’s organization — Minister of Leaves, Minister of Information, Minister of Health and so on — from which they do not appear to have departed since. You have to give them credit for committment if not for goofiness.

That said, they do sell damn good tea. As I write this, I am sipping a cup of their Earl Greyer Decaf which is about the best Earl Grey from a bag I’ve ever found.

You used to be able to buy their unique canisters of tea at the Second Cup in Charlottetown before the local franchisee opted out of the chain and became the oddly named Crema Coffee. Now the closest you can come, I think, is the Barnes & Noble in Augusta, ME or possibly the Borders in Bangor. Or you can request a catalogue and order by mail. You will be happy you did.