topic Re: Let's talk tea in Kitchen

Let's talk tea

GingerPeach — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:59:42 GMT

Let's talk about tea.

Do you drink tea or coffee? Or both?

Do you drink black, green, or white tea? Or maybe rooibos or some other tea? Or perhaps herbal tea (aka a tisane)?

Are you choosy about the water temperature? As you know, different teas are meant to have different temps of water poured over them.

I like green tea. I am not always careful with the water temp and often will go to a full boil even with green tea. But sometimes it is fun to watch the stages of boiling water from the "shrimp eyes" and "crab eyes" through the "fish eyes" to the "string of pearls" to the full boil or "raging torrent" (you can see this only, of course, if you boil water in an open pot).

My favorite green teas are Tazo's Zen and Republic of Tea's ginger peach green tea. in the afternoons I switch to herbal. My current herbal fave is elderflower tea, and then before bed I like chamomile.

Crab eyes stage of boiling water

Re: Let's talk tea

FastDogWalker2 — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 17:07:49 GMT

I am more of a coffee drinker but in the winter I enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon or evening. I like herbal teas with no caffeine mostly.

Re: Let's talk tea

Iwantcoffee — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 17:19:20 GMT

I drink coffee and tea without cream or sugar. I like iced tea in summer and hot tea in winter. I drink herbal tea. My favorite is chamomile. I probably get enough caffeine with coffee. LOL

Re: Let's talk tea

SharkE — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 17:35:28 GMT

I wish Nestea would go back to making a decaf in the jar. Yes, I called and complained. Lipton, I wouldn't give to a snake. yuck !

Re: Let's talk tea

MUNCHIE — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 19:12:10 GMT

I love tea..One of my favorite , i purchased on one of QVCs Irish show..BEWLEYS ..I hope they offer this in March as I am about out..Can't find it anywhere else.

Love Harney and sons,,teas , especially Paris,,and Blueberry Green tea..

Andrew Lessman sells a Jasmine tea and a Peppermint tea which I find excellent for digestion issues..Also the Wakaya ginger tea is excellent for digestion.

Love the green ice teas at Starbucks..also Tazo Zen,,wish Starbucks had stayed with the zen for the teas,,I find their green tea bitter so I get a splash of lemonade to hide the bitterness.

Tazo Zen I find very relaxing.

Joanne

Re: Let's talk tea

MUNCHIE — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 19:16:39 GMT

I forgot to add to my post,,I purchased a BREVILLE electric glass tea/coffee maker several years ago,,,use it about 4 times daily..It has temperatures listed on the base for different teas,,green,herbal,,black..etc..fill with water,,push a desired tea button and its done in minutes....heats every type of tea to its correct temperature..It has a basket to lower for loose teas or coffee..I just love it and have never regrettd buying it..Perfect tea every time..

Joanne

Re: Let's talk tea

GingerPeach — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 19:26:30 GMT

@SharkE wrote:
I wish Nestea would go back to making a decaf in the jar. Yes, I called and complained. Lipton, I wouldn't give to a snake. yuck !

@SharkE

This is kind of off-topic, but I still have a Slatkin & Co. candle in a beautiful glass holder that smells exactly like the iced tea you buy in the jars. I bought it years ago as a set from one of those Hamptons/QVC summer charity events. I like that old-fashioned summer aroma.

I don't drink jarred tea any longer, but I do like the aroma.

Re: Let's talk tea

SharkE — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:00:59 GMT

I just like weak tea and Lipton is to strong for me.

don't drink coffee either.

I got a sister in law who drinks gallons of that ol' nasty black coffee no sugar or cream every day. I about pass out when I think all the caffeine she is ingesting !

to each his own

Re: Let's talk tea

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:25:09 GMT

Tea drinker here!

Green tea, green jasmine, and Rooibos are my favorites.

I find I do not like a lot of added flavors to my tea, for example green tea with peach.

I have found that filtered or spring water makes the best tea.

I agree with OP the temp of the water is very important, esp with green teas as they scorch and get bitter.

Re: Let's talk tea

NickNack — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:28:35 GMT

I like black tea mostly. I buy the Golden Monkey loose tea from Teavana. Sometimes I mix it with their Spice of Life white tea. I'm not careful about the water temperature, but I do steep it for the correct amount of time.

Re: Let's talk tea

Sooner — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:38:46 GMT

I love tea and for than 25 years have ordered loose tea from Upton Tea Imports. You can get samples, they will print your name on the label and they have hundreds of teas. I also some from Harney (decaf black teas and Decent Cup of Tea are favs), and sometimes splurge on Mariage Freres--about the only flavored teas I like.

Also Elmwood Tea has great teas too. I like a good rich Assam with milk in the mornings, Darjeelings, Ceylons and Oolongs otherwise. I like green tea too, and some of the whites are good--Elmwood has good ones!

Yes, I pay attention to water temp and brewing times. I don't really buy much from Teavana because I'm not keen on the kinds of flavors they have and they are so expensive. BUT they have some great tumblers with a filter you make tea in and it stays hot for hours!

Re: Let's talk tea

mcbet — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 23:04:59 GMT

@MUNCHIE wrote:
I love tea..One of my favorite , i purchased on one of QVCs Irish show..BEWLEYS ..I hope they offer this in March as I am about out..Can't find it anywhere else.
Love Harney and sons,,teas , especially Paris,,and Blueberry Green tea..
Andrew Lessman sells a Jasmine tea and a Peppermint tea which I find excellent for digestion issues..Also the Wakaya ginger tea is excellent for digestion.
Love the green ice teas at Starbucks..also Tazo Zen,,wish Starbucks had stayed with the zen for the teas,,I find their green tea bitter so I get a splash of lemonade to hide the bitterness.
Tazo Zen I find very relaxing.
Joanne

Amazon has a good selection of Bewley's tea. I like Irish tea but have never tried this brand, but think it will be next on my list. It is in Amazon's Grocery and Gourmet department.

Re: Let's talk tea

birkin baby — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 00:50:49 GMT

I only drink tea now. I have up coffee a few years ago. Being southern, I grew up drinking sweet iced tea almost exclusively,LOL. But I love English breakfast ,Irish Breakfast,British blend (by Tetley). My favorite tea brand is Ahmad.

Re: Let's talk tea

goldensrbest — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 00:58:33 GMT

I love tea forte teas.

Re: Let's talk tea

Susan in California — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 01:02:00 GMT

Calling all black tea lovers:

PG Tips!!!!

I have been drinking this tea for about 15 years. It is a wonderful, delicious, English tea. I drink it every afternoon

with half and half and stevia (or sugar).

I have purchased it at Cost Plus World Market, many grocery

stores, and even online @Amazon. The problem with Amazon, you are buying directly from the UK.

(It comes in a very nice box with a flip lid and the message:

England's No. 1 Tea )

If you like black tea, with caffeine, this is for you. They offer a decaf version, but it is harder to find and honestly just isn't as good.

Re: Let's talk tea

gonnab — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 12:35:35 GMT

I'm loving Teavana loose teas which I discovered about a year ago. Very expensive for my budget but I treat myself during their sales. My favorites - White Chocolate Peppermint, Chocolate Chai, and Carmel Chai. Another good company is Adagio. The really appealing thing here is that you can purchase "sample" .5 oz packets which give you around 4 cups of tea for around $2-3.. Much more reasonably priced since Teavana can be up to $12 for 2 oz and they don't offer "samples".

Re: Let's talk tea

3cupcakes — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 01:08:29 GMT

what a great thing to talk about, @GingerPeach! it's stricty tea for me & i really enjoy hearing what everyone is drinking.

i enjoy black teas, either a nice assam or a black tea blend, tho i've never refused a lovely darjeeling. )

unfortunately, i've never developed a taste for green teas even w/all that is written about its great benefits. probably because i really like a robust tea & a really, really hot cup of tea too.

at the moment, i'm really keen on "the republic of tea" "lord grantham breakfast blend"; it's a black tea w/ginger. it's smooth, but not overpowering.

also at the top of my list are several teas from "Smith Teamaker". they are out of oregon & have a very reasonable shipping fee (2.99 no matter what is ordered. they are great about fast shipping too.).

another winter favorite (tho i do ice it in summer) is a really beautiful chai, from Smith Teamaker "masala chai". a friend of indian descent recommended it as being as close to homemade chai as she's had.

thank you for all the tips for new teas to try! )

Re: Let's talk tea

bebe777 — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 21:03:03 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
I love tea and for than 25 years have ordered loose tea from Upton Tea Imports. You can get samples, they will print your name on the label and they have hundreds of teas. I also some from Harney (decaf black teas and Decent Cup of Tea are favs), and sometimes splurge on Mariage Freres--about the only flavored teas I like.

Also Elmwood Tea has great teas too. I like a good rich Assam with milk in the mornings, Darjeelings, Ceylons and Oolongs otherwise. I like green tea too, and some of the whites are good--Elmwood has good ones!

Yes, I pay attention to water temp and brewing times. I don't really buy much from Teavana because I'm not keen on the kinds of flavors they have and they are so expensive. BUT they have some great tumblers with a filter you make tea in and it stays hot for hours!

Hi @Sooner, could you tell me the name of the Teavana tumbler with a filter that you use which keeps your tea hot for hours. -- I've been looking through some of the Teavana selections but haven't made a decision about them yet. Thanks!!

-- bebe :0

Re: Let's talk tea

Sooner — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 23:51:34 GMT

@bebe777 wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
I love tea and for than 25 years have ordered loose tea from Upton Tea Imports. You can get samples, they will print your name on the label and they have hundreds of teas. I also some from Harney (decaf black teas and Decent Cup of Tea are favs), and sometimes splurge on Mariage Freres--about the only flavored teas I like.

Also Elmwood Tea has great teas too. I like a good rich Assam with milk in the mornings, Darjeelings, Ceylons and Oolongs otherwise. I like green tea too, and some of the whites are good--Elmwood has good ones!

Yes, I pay attention to water temp and brewing times. I don't really buy much from Teavana because I'm not keen on the kinds of flavors they have and they are so expensive. BUT they have some great tumblers with a filter you make tea in and it stays hot for hours!

Hi @Sooner, could you tell me the name of the Teavana tumbler with a filter that you use which keeps your tea hot for hours. -- I've been looking through some of the Teavana selections but haven't made a decision about them yet. Thanks!!

-- bebe :0

@bebe777Teavana Contour 16 oz. four colors available and marked down to $23!!! GRAB one! I love mine! They had the green and brown on sale in the store, but more colors on sale on the website!

IF you want to drink green tea and don't like it just brew it in with the black teas--a hint for others above!! ALL in one post! LOL!!!!

Re: Let's talk tea

gacat123 — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 19:36:35 GMT

Interesting program all about TEA recently on PBS TV *Globe Trecker* FYI!

My Grandmother drank a glass or two of sugary ice tea every day and lived to be 97yo with few health issues!

I need to go brew up a pitcher right now.

I drink hot coffee in the morning and ice tea (Black Tea) in the afternoon. I like hot tea too! CAT