Whittards created t-zone to introduce new style of tea while protecting tea as an English institution. Curious what kind of store it was, I went there right away.

The t-zone recipe. "Green Strawberry" is one option	What flavor to add?

I visited the store on Carnaby St. near Picadilly Circus. Upon entering the door, the first floor looks no different from the Whittard locations around town. But once you go up the steps, the walls are almost entirely covered with cans of tea. But on the middle of the floor, you can't help but notice the white table carrying bottles with colorful liquid and silver cocktail mixer. This is the self blending station, where you can create custom maid tea with combining the leaf and flavor of choice.

he process is more or less as follows. First, pick out a leaf such as ceylon and green (you can also mix leaves). Second, pick and add a fruit or a flower, orange peel or lemongrass for example. Then, shake them in the cocktail mixer, adding a flavor oil if you so choose. Finally, make a label and attach it to the bag, you have your own original blend. For those of you afraid you don't know where to start, recipes are provided as well.

The new wave in tea, self blending	Flavor oils and their individual cocktail mixers

The price is a little high, about 5 stg. pound for 4 oz, but that hasn't kept t-zone from becoming popular. If you like the smell of rose then you can mix in loads of dried rose petals, and children can create their own tea blend as a game.

And it is quite fascinating to be able to create your own blend of tea, the only one in the world.