Thread: Tea anyone ??!!

Gents, I feel it is time I upgraded my tea habit. Since I was a small child if I wasnt drinking coffee it was tea. If it's after about noon I'm sipping on hot tea but I feel more and more that its leaving something to be desired. Just as coffee from the old bunn drip maker left something to be desired, lipton tea bags are beginning to wear thin. I've been planning on picking up a french press for some time and will do so soon. I've already have a stove top water kettle. I tend to like darker roast, full flavored coffee and am not the biggest fan of green or white tea. What is a good place to go from here? How should I get started with my adventure into the higher quality tea? What equipment should I get? What teas should I try out to start? Possibly most importantly...how do I brew tea not in a bag?

Well I think, really, all you need is a Billy and an open fire...Just jokes. Mate get yourself a reasonable teapot, some respectable 'Assam' black tea and brew up. If you want stronger than the one teaspoon of tea for each cup and one for the pot system of measure, just up it by another teaspoon untill you hit the right strength for you.


Mick

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Gents, I feel it is time I upgraded my tea habit. Since I was a small child if I wasnt drinking coffee it was tea. If it's after about noon I'm sipping on hot tea but I feel more and more that its leaving something to be desired. Just as coffee from the old bunn drip maker left something to be desired, lipton tea bags are beginning to wear thin. I've been planning on picking up a french press for some time and will do so soon. I've already have a stove top water kettle. I tend to like darker roast, full flavored coffee and am not the biggest fan of green or white tea. What is a good place to go from here? How should I get started with my adventure into the higher quality tea? What equipment should I get? What teas should I try out to start? Possibly most importantly...how do I brew tea not in a bag?

Most american tea is weak at best and is used primarily for making iced tea. The british and all their commonwealth brethern are tea drinkers . As far as black tea goes,most british tea is strong and is usually blend of Indian and Kenyan teas wich are hearty blends. They drink tea morning noon and night and it's not all petite cucumber sandwiches and extended pinky's. Tea in the commonwealth can be as hearty as breakfast or as humble as cheese and crackers. Most times they drink it with milk and sugar(not cream) and some do lemon and or honey.Some do it straight black sweetened or unsweetened. Just think of tea as you would coffee and start drinkin. As for teas I can only speak for the british and Irish teas as follows. Look online or in some stores(i.e. Whole foods) for the following ,these are everyday teas and they come in Bags(which is perfectly fine)and some in loose as well....PG Tips (English),Yorkshire Gold(English) Barrys (irish) Lyons (Irish) Bewleys(Irish)...Here is a good link to start with English Tea Store - finest teas, teapots, and gift baskets . For a reapot I would recommend a good Brown betty...why ? Because it's a good tried and true pot,it's got a common history,it's not girly(in fact it's quit asexual and practical. Then as you learn more you can aquire more crap er equipment. Don't make this a science cause as far as a regular old cuppa goes.......it's not. about a teaspoon of loose per cup plus one for the pot is basically the rule of thumb for loose tea. For bag tea and say about a four cup pot eh..about three to four bags to the pot brewd at 2-3 minutes. Never ever squeeze the bags (leeches tannins into the tea making it bitter) Do it once so you know to never do it again. You always start with fresh cold water and always prewarm the pot with some hot water. The water has to be boiling but not neccessarily a violent rolling boil.You want boiling water...not boiled water. Again....don't make it a science and go willy nilly buyin a bunch of gimmicks and gadgets. Just get a good tea and a good pot and start brewin. I might say as well on that link.....call the number and talk to the people...they will give you all sorts of simple help and steer you the right way..............Now if you want to get fancy and more into nuance....Get into asian tea and talk to Bela' and take notes. It's more ritual and finer points ,but just as satisfying. Which ever path you choose Grasshopper....enjoy the cup and relax .

P.S....if you want to learn about Russian tea...later down the road. Talk to me. That's for another day though.

Of course, the Chinese refer to the 'black' tea that the English refer to as red tea. I use a earthenware jug as a tea pot, in fact, I was wondering what the real benefit of a tea pot is? I'd guess at keeping the heat in and a small amount of filtering, but it doesn't get me to swap my humble jug for a pot at the mo...

Nightblade, are you looking forward to the new Hobbit movie? I gather you're a Tolkien fan. I wonder if they'll ever make a movie of 'Leaf by Niggle'? That would be way cool...

if you want a strong Chinese black tea, i highly reccomend lapsang souchong,(i know,i know) its been described by Mick i believe as drinking a campfire. its a Smokey tea. the English tea store carries probably the best version for your Buck, that is where i order mine from, that and because its actually very close to me so shipping isn't a long wait.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Of course, the Chinese refer to the 'black' tea that the English refer to as red tea. I use a earthenware jug as a tea pot, in fact, I was wondering what the real benefit of a tea pot is? I'd guess at keeping the heat in and a small amount of filtering, but it doesn't get me to swap my humble jug for a pot at the mo...

Nightblade, are you looking forward to the new Hobbit movie? I gather you're a Tolkien fan. I wonder if they'll ever make a movie of 'Leaf by Niggle'? That would be way cool...

It's already been released over there and the bugger has seen it. Meanwhile we're still waiting!

Originally Posted by wvloony

if you want a strong Chinese black tea, i highly reccomend lapsang souchong,(i know,i know) its been described by Mick i believe as drinking a campfire. its a Smokey tea. the English tea store carries probably the best version for your Buck, that is where i order mine from, that and because its actually very close to me so shipping isn't a long wait.

No, that would be Phil (Nosewarmer) who said that. It isn't a blend I have tried myself. I will though, as Phil seems to share similar tastes to me. So if he likes it, I daresay it would be right up my alley too.


Mick

Originally Posted by Devilpup

What is a good place to go from here? How should I get started with my adventure into the higher quality tea? What equipment should I get? What teas should I try out to start? Possibly most importantly...how do I brew tea not in a bag?

SWAN is a good robust tea... Seep a little or seep a lot... You will find your taste...

A pot and a strainer is all you need...

You can't go wrong with Earl Grey... Strong or weak... You're choice...

I have tried Lap Sang and it definitely isn't for me even though I like strong flavoured tea. A strong oolong goes down a treat and I just love a bit of pueh. But I couldn't drink the lap sang. It was like sticking my head in a camp fire. I had a choice of either using it as mulch or giving it away. I gave it to a teacher at school (she likes white tea and herbal tea) and she loved it.

But anyway, you should try the lap sang. You never know, you might like it.

Originally Posted by wvloony

if you want a strong Chinese black tea, i highly reccomend lapsang souchong,(i know,i know) its been described by Mick i believe as drinking a campfire. its a Smokey tea. the English tea store carries probably the best version for your Buck, that is where i order mine from, that and because its actually very close to me so shipping isn't a long wait.

I keep tellin you to check out and try the Kusmi teas...i.e. Lapsang,Traktir and Samovar blends all are smoked teas.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

Of course, the Chinese refer to the 'black' tea that the English refer to as red tea. I use a earthenware jug as a tea pot, in fact, I was wondering what the real benefit of a tea pot is? I'd guess at keeping the heat in and a small amount of filtering, but it doesn't get me to swap my humble jug for a pot at the mo...

Nightblade, are you looking forward to the new Hobbit movie? I gather you're a Tolkien fan. I wonder if they'll ever make a movie of 'Leaf by Niggle'? That would be way cool...

Tea pot does indeed keep heat in thus creating a better steep and brewing and I love my teapot. And yes I am of course an Hobbit Fan indeed. I wouldn't hold yer breath on the Leaf by Niggle.

Originally Posted by MickR

It's already been released over there and the bugger has seen it. Meanwhile we're still waiting!


No, that would be Phil (Nosewarmer) who said that. It isn't a blend I have tried myself. I will though, as Phil seems to share similar tastes to me. So if he likes it, I daresay it would be right up my alley too.


Mick

Nay...I have not seen it yet...Waiting for the DVD as I don't do theaters anymore....too spensive. But I will see and own the DVD just as soon as it is available.


On that note(s) , I must go to bed fellas...I'll see ya all tommorrow or tonight depending on yer time zone.