Thread: Tea anyone ??!!

For me the interest started as a kid. My grandmother collected tea cups. She was more interested in the cups than the tea but it sparked my interest. Between that and reading fantasy fiction like The Hobbit and others of the like it codified my love for tea. It's funny how we go through a phase where we learn a little and think we know a LOT about something. As a teenager I believed I was an aficionado when I had barely scratched the surface.
The first fine tea I had was a single estate line that Barnie's was carrying at their retail store in a local mall. They had samplers set out for the scent test and I was blown away by it. It was high elevation Himalayan teas from Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal mostly, at least those are the ones I remember. Before that I was sold on Twinings as the best tea ever. Not to knock Twinings. It is a good tea, just not fine tea. These teas that they had blew my mind with the fragrance but also with the price. At the time I said, "that's great but there is no way I would spend that much for ANY tea." Apparently that was a common sentiment because eventually the price dropped dramatically as they went to the clearance rack. At that price I reluctantly bought a tin...then another, and another until it was gone. At that point I would gladly have paid double the full price if they would have gotten me more which they wouldn't. At this point it doesn't scare me to pay $300-$400/lb for the right tea or possibly even much more if it is something really special.
We do this to ourselves with any kind of fine things in life be it tea, wine, cigars, coffee, caviar or whatever it is. These are great blessings to our spirit but also curses. It's hard to turn back once you are there.
As I said I would glady pay a premium price for fine tea. The problem is finding it to buy in person. Sure you can buy them online but who wants to drop $500 on something they can't see especially when it could be swill? When people find out I know a little about tea they ask me what is good. I tell them just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's bad. Also enjoy what you like because you like it and don't let any tell you what you are supposed to like. Like it because you like it and let that be your reason.
For me it is always evolving, always changing. At first it was only dark black tea with milk and sugar. Then I discovered the very astringent high elevation grown Darjeeling teas and the like; first, second and autumn flushes for their own characters. Actually I prefer Nepali teas when they are good. Then I discovered Oolong and the Kung Fu method, then greens (I also figured out that the reason I hadn't liked them before was because I was too smart to listen to people about water temp and brewing time). What I discovered along the way is that I haven't found a new favorite but ANOTHER favorite... I could go on ad nauseum which I probably already have. Tea is a pursuit that brings so much enjoyment to life I hope to never have to live without it. I'll end it there because I am probably boring anyone brave enough to read all this.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I tell them just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's bad. Also enjoy what you like because you like it and don't let any tell you what you are supposed to like. Like it because you like it and let that be your reason.

I really think that is good advice for anything people want to buy, be it shaving soaps/creams, shaving brushes, razors, wine and many other things.

Bob

My wife likes wines like communion wine. Blech! Its so sweet it makes me nauseous every time I commune. I like them really dry. She says "Blech!" to that. She says it tastes like something.you should put on salad. Neither of us is wrong. It's a matter of taste.

Since your reading this thread you'll see in the past how I evolved,but finally settling on my good ol West euro cuppa which I cannot live without now.I got 3 boxes of Barry's coming in and and also a box of Barry's earl grey and a big box of Yorkshire gold. and if anyone is interested i usually like to put milk in first but sometimes I'll break tradition and go the other way ha ha. Trust me its like Marmite vs Vegemite its a real thing.Im off to bed now guys cheers.

I generally try a cup the way they recommend then adjust from there. I find that a lot also and always chalked it up to character and strength preference but I almost always stay with the water temp and (to a lesser extent) brew time with the exception of multiple brewing. In this case I always figure that it isore subjective to the drinker's taste.

Edit: okay I was replying to a post I thought was current.

I must be honest. When I started this thread it wasn't so much the kind of tea but the experience that I was looking to share. I've tried some higher end teas and green teas, Oolongs etc. As stated before, you can read along and get the gist of my evolution. At the end of the day I just like a good strong cup of good black British tea. Meaning something along the lines of the common brands I mentioned earlier.

That's just me though. I know those brands well and there is really no guesswork or worry about price, location, estates etc. Now I make a perfect cuppa daily and I'm more concerned if I'm out of milk or sugar. Milk has to be whole not 1/2 n 1/2 or lowfat or ugh.... skim and the sugar has to be monk fruit which I'll explain in a minute. Now it's about how I enjoyed it. What was the weather like, what did I have with it ? Or will it be a scone or Marmite and toast, sausages maybe or nothing ? What kind of cup shall I use today, the Russian tea glasses, the blue willow china breakfast cup or my good friend the big moustache mug or if with a friend the good ol trusty white diner mugs(love those).

Brewing for me and my black......can't go wrong with 3 min but never more than 5. Water temp?......meah boiling but not boiled and the water drawn should be fresh drawn so it's full of oxygen. it's either a cup and bag or a pot and bags to preference of strength . Not uncommon for me to do two pots in a day either.

My influences didn't start with the Hobbit but that certainly played in eventually. Mine was more influenced by the everyday Brit or Irish, or common wealther who got through the day with a cuppa. When times are rough and tough, a good cuppa really does help out and I'm sure the Tommies in the trenches would agree. but in that case so would a good ammo or medical supply line. RIP heroes.
. Three things I've gotten from that culture that amazingly work well, Keep calm, stiff upper lip and a good cuppa….no lie man.

Now about the Monk fruit sugar. I discovered it when I got diagnosed with DB2. Its sweeter than sugar but all the medical reports I could find supported that it was fine for diabetics. No calories,carbs nuffin….zip ! I've checked my sugar many a time and no ill effects and there is no funky aftertaste like other non sugar sweeteners. It's like a gift from heaven...…..thanks God , appreciate it ! I need a cuppa now...…….cheers !

An impressive thread to say the least me old mate.
Keep calm and carry on...

and I thank the others who helped make it and Bela RIP. Just finished a pot of Barry's and getting ready to tear into a curry ..........Keep calm and eat curry !

Would you mind telling your source and type of Monk fruit sweetner?

Amazon has 3lbs Monk sweetener. delivered for $23. There are Brown and white Monk sweetener options.

Splenda is $28 for 6.5 lbs.

Originally Posted by rolodave

Would you mind telling your source and type of Monk fruit sweetner?

Amazon has 3lbs Monk sweetener. delivered for $23. There are Brown and white Monk sweetener options.

Splenda is $28 for 6.5 lbs.

I get the 3lb white from amazon Lakanto brand

https://smile.amazon.com/Lakanto-Mon...KX5V7ZSYTMYRMK