Iqaluit (Oct 18/04) - Charlie Akpailaluk, an elder in Iqaluit, likes his tea with cream and sugar and most days he enjoys it while looking out over Frobisher Bay.

At the elders centre where the 78-year-old lives there is no question about what brand of tea the elders prefer -- a Rose by any other name simply isn't as sweet.

Charlie Akpailaluk, 78, with cup of Red Rose tea at the Iqaluit elders centre last week. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

Red Rose is the most popular tea at North Mart in Iqaluit, currently outselling Tetley five to one, said David Seamone in the grocery department.

"It's Red Rose by a long shot," he said. "We sell a lot of it. More clientele like it."

At Arctic Ventures in Iqaluit, Red Rose is by far the number one tea they sell, followed by a distant Tetley, said assistant grocery manager Don Jackson.

Red Rose is not any stronger than the other teas as far as he knows and thinks it has more to do with marketing.

"It's a recognizable name," said Jackson. "And people don't like change, eh?"

A newer kid in the tea arena, King Cole Tea, is starting to attract a following at least in Iqaluit, said Jackson. Seamone at North Mart has also noticed King Cole's appeal and said the brand is a favourite of transplanted New Brunswickers.

Around the North, the story is that Red Rose is the dominant tea.

At the hamlet office in Cape Dorset staff members take turns buying the tea, said Cheryl Constantineau, a Tetley fan.

"When (others) bring it, it's Red Rose. I usually just bring my tea bags from home," she said with a laugh.

The tea kettle was whistling at the hamlet office of Kimmirut, and Ooloocie Tikivik said without question Red Rose is Nunavut's tea.

"It's the flavour," she said.