Tea for everyone

[Zeno]

I have always enjoyed tea and I drink a cup most days that I plague this planet with my presence.

I serached and found a very good website that contains a vast amount of information about tea. It is the UK Tea Council website. Limeys know almost as much about tea as they do about imperalism. Probably only the Chinese know more.


All about TEA On the left is a menu to click for a variety of subjects about tea.

Just for pratical basics:

Make a perfect Brew

·Use a good quality loose leaf or bagged tea
·This must be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature
·Always use freshly drawn boiling water
·In order to draw the best flavour out of the tea the water must contain oxygen, this is reduced if the water is boiled more than once.
·Measure the tea carefully
·Use 1 tea bag or 1 rounded teaspoon of loose tea for each cup to be served
·Allow the tea to brew for the recommended time before pouring


In some parts of the country the tap water is chlorinated strongly and this can affect the taste of the tea, if you are based in such an area consider using a water filter.



Buying and Storing Tea

·Use a good quality Tea Supplier
·Store tea in a cool, dry place
·Avoid placing it next to strongly flavoured or perfumed foods etc
·Do not over buy tea

__________________________________________________ ___


You can purchase a variety of tea infusers, brewing pots, tea tongs, and a host of other accessories to help brew the tea probably and make the experience more enjoyable.


Some of my favorite teas/blends are Earl Grey, Ceylon Superb, Darjeeling, English Breakest, Orange Pekoe and different types of Green tea (there are many different varieties and/or blends of green tea). I also enjoy herbal teas that can be very relaxing and soothing, for example: Chamomile.

This is it for starters. There is plenty more to talk about and websites to mention where good tea and tea supplies are available.

Another thing I'll mention. One the best things about tea that I enjoy is that, at least for me, many teas give me a pick-me-up without the edgy affect or feel that I often get from coffee. Tea is a more smooth comfortable stimulant.

-Zeno

[wacki]

Zeno, one company you have to try is Twinings.

http://www.twinings.com/home.php

Their Earl Grey is simply spectacular. I haven't found another company that can do Earl Grey justice and I've tried many.

[Acein8ter]

I prefer coffee over tea, but I am trying to drink more Green Tea for heath purposes...

Genmaicha is a Green Tea w/roasted brown rice, it has a nice roasted flavor.

[Zeno]

[ QUOTE ]
Zeno, one company you have to try is Twinings.

http://www.twinings.com/home.php

Their Earl Grey is simply spectacular. I haven't found another company that can do Earl Grey justice and I've tried many.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have tins of Twinings loose leaf tea- the Earl Grey and English Breakfast. I agree that it is top-notch tea and second your recommendation. Good stuff.

-Zeno

[iSTRONG]

Arabic mint tea ftw. (especially accompanied by a shisha after a heavy meal)

[BeaucoupFish]

I view tea much the same as beer - tea should taste like tea, beer should taste like beer. I am not a fan of fruity flavoured teas or beers, I don't really see the attraction.

Alternatives to black tea (English breakfast) such as green and white teas, even perhaps aromatic blacks like Earl Grey, I see as a quite different cuppa tea - I am a real stereotype with my tea needs...


I just moved into the city (SF) last weekend, anyone know any places to buy English food - tea primarily, but also Ribena, Twiglets, confectionary etc etc? Quite a few places in the E Bay but haven't looked yet in the city.

[El Diablo]

BCF: http://www.britshoppe.com/

Zeno: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam_tea. Heading out right now. More elaboration upon my return.

[LeapFrog]

[ QUOTE ]
Zeno, one company you have to try is Twinings.

http://www.twinings.com/home.php

Their Earl Grey is simply spectacular. I haven't found another company that can do Earl Grey justice and I've tried many.

[/ QUOTE ]

Their Gunpowder Green is my favorite green tea. You can get it from Amazon super cheap.

[Coffee]

I think it's obvious where my real love is, but I've always thought that Stash made a decent cup of tea(Earl Grey and Chai Spice, especially).

[jackflashdrive]

- Darjeeling makes a great breakfast tea. I add honey unless I'm drinking a more expensive variety.

- Avoid "Irish Breakfast" blends unless you like tea that tastes like ham.

- I highly recommend Keemun teas. Good when you are in a contemplative mood.

- I suggest using separate brewing pots for black teas and green teas. I bought my wife, who drinks green tea exclusively, a very nice and expensive iron japanese teapot. She used it for a few weeks and loved it and then I (who am more of a coffee person but I have my tea phases) brewed some black tea in the pot. According to my wife it really distorted the taste of the green tea for a while afterwards.