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 .:chapeau