Ok, so I've never been one much for coffee. I love some caffeine and my drink of choice is usually Pepsi (with or without bourbon ;), but I can't bring myself to drink soft drinks before six a.m. Since my favorite form is the teapot, I decided that I'd like to start drinking hot tea in the mornings. I particularly like the idea of making tea in my own pots. Problem is, I have no idea what I'm doing! I wanted to make loose leaf tea, but don't know where to get it so I got a box of assorted teas. I made some Earl Grey because it was the only one that I'd really heard of. Question is, I grew up on sweet iced tea, so I put some sugar in it and I'm pretty sure I ruined it. (what do you put in hot tea anyways?) I think I need some beginner tea to start on, but I'm not sure where to start. Anyway, if there are any tea drinkers out there, I'd love some input. I'm going on a google hunt, but I'd much prefer input from friends and potters :)
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You need to talk to Ron about this, I believe he is very knowledgable. Personally I like green tea, oolong and jasmine. I used bagged tea, so I can't help with any loose leaf info. And I don't put anything in it except the tea.
ReplyDeleteI too share you first choice in caffeine as Pepsi but don't have any objections to having it first thing in the morning (how do you say addiction?). However, I also make lots of tea later in the day. My local grocery has loose leaf in bulk bins so that make it much easier. Green tea is my choice, but to start a white tea might be a nice place to begin. Be well
ReplyDeleteHi Ben, one of my favorite teas is Tazo - Wild Sweet Orange - but I have only had it in bag form. In the winter I put a little dab of honey in my tea and depending upon the type of tea perhaps a little drop of lemon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input y'all!! I need to just keep experimenting till I find something I like. I also want to get started on a personal tea set :)
ReplyDeleteearl grey is a good start and from what i understand if you decide to go the green tea route the water should not be boiling (cooler). lately we've been brewing up roibus, technically not tea but you brew it the same and its taste is unique and wonderful, plus no caffeine.
ReplyDeleteI dated a girl in highschool who was from England, they drink their tea hot(which I thought was crazy since we live in Texas,ICE TEA only for me)but they put milk or honey in hot tea. Try that and expand your pallet of tastes.
ReplyDelete_Brian
It's funny cause now I just want to make a new teaset!! I've got tons of ideas for the teaset and not nearly as many for the tea itself. I'm still experimenting with it though--trying some flavored teas tomorrow (heavily sugared) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ben, I noticed your blog disappeared from my blogroll for some reason, anyway I added it back in. Hope all is well with you and the family.
ReplyDeleteHow funny- i just had to respond! I love tea and teapots. It took me a several years after moving to the States to learn to drink coffee but I still love my tea. I don't often bother with loose tea - it's messy to clean up. There are great bagged teas, as already mentioned. I go for the black or white teas earlier in the day and switch to the non-caffeine/herbal teas later in the day. I bring the kettle to a boil and pour over the teabag(s) in the teapot and let steep. Of course it's best to preheat your teapot. Adding sweetener is a personal preference. I don't do it unless I have a terrible cold and need some honey and rum in the tea! If you want to add something try either a touch of milk or a slice of lemon. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge tea drinker - but after having a few layovers in London back when I was flying I was forced to drink it in the am 'cuz that was what was stocked in my hotel room. So - dark black breakfast tea with milk and sugar if forced.
ReplyDeleteI like green tea iced though.
I stopped making teapots because I don't drink tea and botched them up badly. (probably because I'm not a tea drinker)