View Full Version : Tea questions
Please keep in mind I'm an American.
Now in my mid 50's After the morning coffee by mid day and sometimes in the evening I have been wanting tea,never really had a taste for it till now.
Tea selection here is thin ,Lipton ,Red Rose are in every grocery store . I have found PG tips and Tetleys in Indian markets and so far I seem to like the PG tips the most.
I will have Chi with my wife at times and that is a heavily spiced black Indian tea with milk.
I don't put anything in my coffee, crushed beans and hot water, I am told tea needs milk but I just can't imagine why?
Is there better teas than PG tips ? I'm sure that there must be. And is green tea,black tea, Gray Earl all the same plant or like coffee different roasts?
I once had a Himalayan tea in a bakery that is now gone and I remember liking it
not into tea personally but green tea is same plant as black tea, just un oxidized. they say its better for you.
walpurgis
17-03-2020, 08:26
PG Tips, Tetleys and Liptons are everyday fare here and available in every store. I personally don't like green tea and find Earl Grey revolting.
Mostly, I have Typhoo or PG Tips with a drop of milk and a sweetener.
Yorkshire Tea is that you want, don't know I you can get that in California though.
Amazon here have a section where you can buy American food so maybe they have the same thing over there for those who want British food?
I always drink tea without milk, I prefer it that way. Just don't brew it as long. You can get 3 cups out of each tea bag that way.
scotty38
17-03-2020, 09:09
My tea is Rooibos (Red Bush) but it is an acquired taste I will say that up front.....
I drink that rooibos stuff too, it's pretty good.
Will do a deal, I will ship Yorkshire tea out to any Americans who want it, in return they ship me the proper American waffles that you can't get here anymore.
My tea is Rooibos (Red Bush) but it is an acquired taste I will say that up front.....
Red Bush is awesome [rich and malty], but only without milk, which I'm sure is how you drink it!:)
These are currently my favourite bags:
https://birchalltea.co.uk/tea-shop/redbush-20-enveloped-prism-tea-bags/
Defo the best I've tasted!
Marco.
Please keep in mind I'm an American.
Now in my mid 50's After the morning coffee by mid day and sometimes in the evening I have been wanting tea,never really had a taste for it till now.
Tea selection here is thin ,Lipton ,Red Rose are in every grocery store . I have found PG tips and Tetleys in Indian markets and so far I seem to like the PG tips the most.
I will have Chi with my wife at times and that is a heavily spiced black Indian tea with milk.
I don't put anything in my coffee, crushed beans and hot water, I am told tea needs milk but I just can't imagine why?
Is there better teas than PG tips ? I'm sure that there must be. And is green tea,black tea, Gray Earl all the same plant or like coffee different roasts?
I once had a Himalayan tea in a bakery that is now gone and I remember liking it
Jeff, Macca's right, for basic 'builder's tea' in bags, Yorkshire is the one - if you can find it in the States, which I doubt.
However, what you're really looking for is a top-quality English Breakfast tea, preferably loose leaf, as just like fresh coffee beans kick the ass of the ground stuff, so does loose leaf tea do to bags! :trust:
So if you've got a tea-strainer, loose is a no-brainer. I can thoroughly recommend this stuff, from the same company I get Redbush from: https://birchalltea.co.uk/product-category/english-breakfast-tea/?filter_product-type=loose-leaf-tea
Just a joy to drink!:)
Or a more 'mainstream' variety is Twinings: https://www.twinings.co.uk/tea/english-breakfast
Marco.
+1 for Rooibos and for Green (China) tea. All without milk of course.
I'm sure you must be able to get Darjeeling tea in the US. Not cheap if it is the first growth tips, but worth it - it's not known as the 'Champagne of Tea' for nothing.
Other teas such as Black Russian, Orange Pekoe, Milky Oolong are more of an acquired taste.
The teas others have mentioned are blends and are best drunk with milk.
I'm a loose leaf man. It's just so much better than tea bags.
It's not much faff either, and you don't even need a teapot, just an infuser like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Infuser-AUSTOR-Stainless-Strainer-Steeper/dp/B06XDLL3HC/
Some of my favourites:
Earl Grey - black tea with bergamot oil, has to be real bergamot, or it'll taste "soapy"
Ceylon - Sri Lankan black tea
Moroccan Mint - a blend of gunpowder green tea and mint leaves
Hard to get Earl Gray with the real Bergamont in it. Tesco used to sell it years ago under their own brand, don't know if they still do,
The teas others have mentioned are blends and are best drunk with milk.
Defo not with Redbush...
But yes, I agree about Darjeeling. The good stuff is amazing!:)
Marco.
Hard to get Earl Gray with the real Bergamont in it. Tesco used to sell it years ago under their own brand, don't know if they still do,
No problem when using specialist tea suppliers, daftee... Life exists out with of supermarkets!;)
Marco.
I was referring to the blends: Typhoo, PG Tips etc.
I did specifically say Rooibos (Redbush) tea should be drunk 'black'.
I have a caddy of Earl Grey tea. Think it was bought from Whittards or Twinings.
I was referring to the blends: Typhoo, PG Tips etc.
I did specifically say Rooibos (Redbush) tea should be drunk 'black'.
Ah, okay-dokes:)
Marco.
Hard to get Earl Grey with the real Bergamont in it. Tesco used to sell it years ago under their own brand, don't know if they still do,
If you like Earl Grey, treat yourself to this: https://www.mysticbrewteas.com/products/countess-earl-grey
That's what I use... The aroma is really intense!:)
Marco.
Defo not with Redbush...
But yes, I agree about Darjeeling. The good stuff is amazing!:)
Marco.
Yeah, Darjeeling is far too delicate to put milk into. :)
If you like Earl Grey, treat yourself to this: https://www.mysticbrewteas.com/products/countess-earl-grey
That's what I use... The aroma is really intense!:)
Marco.
Nice, I get this sometimes too, alternatively known as "Dutchess Earl Grey". Love those bits of fruit peel & cornflower leaves. Lovely stuff.
Fortnum a Mason s Log Jing Green tea. Most supermarket green is bitter of course ( Imo ) but this one has a nice mild pleasant flavour. Around 14 for 35g.
Thompson s black tea ( Morrisons ) is a cracker. Bottoms up :)
dave2010
17-03-2020, 15:50
In some countries - possibly California (subset of USA) included - it is hard to get any tea other than the Liptons in yellow bags. Avoid it at all costs! There are shops in CA which do sell decent tea, but they may be hard to find.
Also - a tip for the USA - it's hopeless asking for tea in a restaurant or diner. What will happen will be that they'll put a Liptons bag in a cup, and fill it with "hot" water from the coffee boiler. It won't be hot enough, and since the tea bag doesn't (IMO - not wishing to be sued) contain anything good enough to be called tea, the result will be yukky.
One thing though - if drinking tea without milk, let it cool a bit first. In some countries, such as Iran, where teas are often drunk without milk, medics noticed that there was a high incidence of mouth and throat cancer. Eventually this was associated with drinking tea at close to boiling point. Drink it hot - yes - but not boiling.
If going up mountains (camping etc.) it's hard to get good tea, as the water doesn't boil hot enough - so I'm told - and the tea flavour doesn't come out well.
Made in 1968
17-03-2020, 17:03
Posh tea is rats piss to me. 'YORKSHIRE TEA' is the best.
https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk/our-teas
back in day my mum drank this.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/c5/c6/d0c5c6f94766caa342a6b0910e672611.jpg
Posh tea is rats piss to me. 'YORKSHIRE TEA' is the best.
https://www.yorkshiretea.co.uk/our-teas
Course, it from Yarkshire!:eyebrows::D
Yup, it is good, but best enjoyed in loose-leaf form: https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/loose-tea-44/yorkshire-tea-bags-250g
Knocks the bags, as good as they are, into a cocked hat, trust me!
Marco.
Exactly right!
Bitter and weak.
I drink that rooibos stuff too, it's pretty good.
Will do a deal, I will ship Yorkshire tea out to any Americans who want it, in return they ship me the proper American waffles that you can't get here anymore.
Martin,
What kind of waffles do you like?
When things get back to normal here I would be happy to help get them to you.
Martin,
What kind of waffles do you like?
When things get back to normal here I would be happy to help get them to you.
It's so long ago I can't remember the brand, but I think it is one that is quite famous over therein the U.S. If you said it then I'd probably recognise it. They're just ordinary American waffles, nothing fancy. I just can't get them here anymore, not for about thirty years. It's all this Belgian crap now and they're not the same.
Actually noticed that when I was over there last, if you went somewhere posh for breakfast they only served Belgian waffles, you had to go to the cheap places to get the real deal :)
People really like the Yorkshire Gold black tea and it can be found on Amazon but it turns out there is counterfeit Yorkshire tea here!
The counterfeit stuff is ground to dust and leaves a mess and is very bitter.
I will look for a English grocer on line and get loose leaf.
It's so long ago I can't remember the brand, but I think it is one that is quite famous over therein the U.S. If you said it then I'd probably recognise it. They're just ordinary American waffles, nothing fancy. I just can't get them here anymore, not for about thirty years. It's all this Belgian crap now and they're not the same.
Actually noticed that when I was over there last, if you went somewhere posh for breakfast they only served Belgian waffles, you had to go to the cheap places to get the real deal :)
If you don't have a waffle iron ,
Eggo toaster waffles are what everyone here loves but they are frozen.
If you have a electric waffle iron .
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Farberware-Copper-Non-stick-Round-Waffle-Maker/945712096
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22180/waffles-i/
When Mom died at 86 she had 2 electric waffle irons each around 40 pounds big. from the late 50's or very early 60's one was new in the box cloth cord and all! I think they where Sunbeam.
Knowing my Mom she got a sale and bought 2 stashing one and never needed it. It made 4 waffles at a time.
Not liking them my self both went to a charity shop.
My idea of breakfast is a pop tart and a cup of coffee or a slice of sour dough bread with cream cheese and coffee.
Mikeandvan
17-03-2020, 20:21
I like Assam, can't be arsed with leaves, though I could try them, and Yorkshire tea, proper strong tea.
If you don't have a waffle iron ,
Eggo toaster waffles are what everyone here loves but they are frozen.
If you have a electric waffle iron .
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Farberware-Copper-Non-stick-Round-Waffle-Maker/945712096
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22180/waffles-i/
When Mom died at 86 she had 2 electric waffle irons each around 40 pounds big. from the late 50's or very early 60's one was new in the box cloth cord and all! I think they where Sunbeam.
Knowing my Mom she got a sale and bought 2 stashing one and never needed it. It made 4 waffles at a time.
Not liking them my self both went to a charity shop.
My idea of breakfast is a pop tart and a cup of coffee or a slice of sour dough bread with cream cheese and coffee.
The ones I used to get were frozen but they weren't Eggo.
Made in 1968
17-03-2020, 21:43
People really like the Yorkshire Gold black tea and it can be found on Amazon but it turns out there is counterfeit Yorkshire tea here!
The counterfeit stuff is ground to dust and leaves a mess and is very bitter.
I will look for a English grocer on line and get loose leaf.
The standard Yorkshire Tea with the red label is perfectly good enough.
Well,
I have discovered I really like tea and unlike my coffee ,I have accepted one sugar and a little milk is perfect.
I may cut back the milk a little as I go but I think i'm on to something now.
The Tazo is what my wife makes at work but brought it home.
I will find Yorkshire and Ty phoo extra strong at some point but the World Market is closed so right now choices are limited in the U.S.
Get yourself a decent kettle as well, as boiling water is not good for tea. It needs to be slightly cooler, depending on what type of tea you will be drinking.
Yes, that certainly applies to all loose-leaf and 'speciality' tea, but not for bags of normal stuff, such as TyPhoo, Tetley, etc. For that you need boiling water.
Also, unless you like your tea weak, if you want to taste it properly, allow bags or leaves to brew for a good 3 minutes! Anything less, and the full flavour won't be released. Plus, for best results, *always* brew tea in a pre-heated teapot:)
Doing it just in a cup or mug is never the same!
Marco.
Yes, that certainly applies to all loose-leaf and 'speciality' tea, but not for bags of normal stuff, such as TyPhoo, Tetley, etc. For that you need boiling water.
Also, unless you like your tea weak, if you want to taste it properly, allow bags or leaves to brew for a good 3 minutes! Anything less, and the full flavour won't come out. Plus, for best results, *always* brew tea in a pre-heated teapot:)
Doing it just in a cup or mug is never the same!
Marco. Don't forget the old fashioned cosy on teapot though, otherwise it will be a bit lukewarm. Must be some available on eBay ;)
Lol - that's defo an option, but the best teapot to use, in order to optimise the brewing process, is an old-fashioned metal one, which will conduct heat far better than anything ceramic.
Such as this:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/eqJXku.jpg
Then it needs to be 'seasoned'!;)
Marco.
Thanks Marco.. Will look out for one.
Wayfair is your friend, for less than a tenner: https://www.wayfair.co.uk/kitchenware-tableware/pdp/pendeford-aluminium-teapot-pdfd1152.html
Marco.
The Tefal Magic Tea is not too shabby either.
Wayfair is your friend, for less than a tenner: https://www.wayfair.co.uk/kitchenware-tableware/pdp/pendeford-aluminium-teapot-pdfd1152.html
Marco.. Ta
I have been bringing a small sauce pan to a boil tossing in a Tetleys round bag and letting it roll around in the boiling water for a few minutes, not really timing it .
Just pulling it off when the water turns near black, putting a drizzle of milk and a level tea spoon sugar in the mug then pouring in the tea and a quick stir with a tea spoon.
Probably not book of Hoyle but it's been working for now.
I am shocked you are drinking from Aluminum, are you experiencing memory loss?
Not to mention it would have to leave a alutea taste?
Or are you guys just messing with me? I suspect Marco is having some fun here.
I was once given a large tea pot made of either Bismuth or lead ,it was very soft, It was made in China.
I moved that along very quickly to a charity shop.
I don’t drink from aluminium.
It needs to be a proper tea pot in my book.
I do the Tetley bag in a mug when at work, and it works fine. Not the best tea, but it is Tetley....
Made in 1968
21-03-2020, 21:45
Aluminium Teapots & Pans! Jesus..
Do my Yorkshire tea in a Mug. Teabag straight in, fill it with water, Few squashes of the bag to the side of the mug til it goes dark, Bit of milk & thats it. No time for Teapots or anything that requires a Ritual..
Emergency: Ran out of Yorkshire tea, could not get none anywhere so had to buy Tetleys which is 2nd best to me.
walpurgis
21-03-2020, 21:54
Aluminium Teapots & Pans! Jesus..
Better avoid indigestion tablets then. A lot of them contain aluminium hydroxide.
Anyway, I seem to recall that tea contains aluminium in any case, don't know how much though.
Made in 1968
21-03-2020, 21:56
Just an old wives tale type of thing that Aluminium pots & pans lead to dementia.
Lol - each to their own... No 'ritual' here... It's all stuff that's to hand in the kitchen, and for me normal procedure.
There's no issue either in my experience with metal teapots - they just make a great cup of tea! Don't like putting teabags in mugs because there's not enough room for the tea to infuse, and so the tannins become too intense and make the flavour bitter.
Sauce pans for making tea? Lol, you *are* as mad as a box of frogs, Jeff!:D
Don't you own a kettle?
Marco.
Been using..... Well been. Em, never mind. [emoji23]
Hope you're feeling a bit better, Granty:)
Marco.
Made in 1968
21-03-2020, 22:04
Lol - each to their own... No 'ritual' here... It's all stuff that's to hand in the kitchen, and for me normal procedure.
There's no issue either in my experience with metal teapots - they just make a great cup of tea! Don't like putting teabags in mugs because there's not enough room for the tea to infuse and so the tannins become too intense and make the flavour bitter.
Sauce pans for making tea? Lol, you *are* as mad as a box of frogs, Jeff!:D
Don't you own a kettle?
Marco.
Those little Stainless Steel pots you usually get served in a Cafe make good tea
Yeah, stainless steel, whatever... The bigger versions are just as good. Anything that's made of metal conducts heat far better than anything ceramic, and therefore also allows tea to brew (and taste) better - simples:)
Marco.
Lol - each to their own...
No 'ritual' here... It's all stuff that's to hand in the kitchen. There's no issue in my experience with metal teapots - they just make a great cup of tea! Don't like putting teabags in mugs because there's not enough room for the tea to infuse and so the tannins become to intense and make the flavour bitter.
Sauce pans for making tea? Lol, you *are* as mad as a box of frogs, Jeff!:D
Don't you own a kettle?
Marco.
We had a kettle and a china bone tea pot along with a tea set ,it all went to the charity shop years ago.
It belonged to my grand mother, she needed 24 hour care and came to live with my mom, When my Mom passed one of the few things my grandmother insisted on bring was her old tea set.
When my Mom died she left a 3,000 square foot house full of 86 years of hording stuff. Truck loads of stuff went to charity shops all over town.
I saved Grandmas old tea set , my Brother and sister making jokes "spot of tea ,call Jeves around to make it", that kind of crap.
I kept it in the kitchen till our remodel it was a large set and I didn't have a lot of room. So it went to the charity shop,not interested in tea then anyway.
It did say China Bone Royal Albert Princess somebody on it. It had a lot of gold leaf and flowers and a crest on each piece.
it was pretty big set 10 or 12 cups ,saucers and small plates,sugar bowl and milk pitcher.It had a lot of checking in the glaze and the inside of the tea pot was pretty stained from the tea.
It took up way to much room in our small kitchen so we donated it to a shop that all profit went to cancer patients care and treatments.
Our condo is just under 1,000 square feet, 2 bedrooms 1 bath a small kitchen and living room with a dining nook.
So we re prioritize our stuff all the time.
Was there a princess Louise ? I think that was it . Must have been a tribute edition .
Hope you're feeling a bit better, Granty:)
Marco.So, do. A little better I think.
Yeah stainless is way to go although some still have a little Ali in for heat distro.
Always liked the cream stoneware ones
Oddly my mum and her mum cooked with Ali pans all their lifes and we ate it. None of us had memory issues. Mum was in 80's and gran 90's and both sharp as a tack mind wise.
Scored the biggest box of PG tips 240 bags! today in an Indian market.
Some tea biscuits too and Conner found Cadberrys hot chocolate.
Ok Marco,
Here is my odd way of making tea,seems to work.
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 09:30
Tea in a pan! :lolsign:
I have one of these i used a few time, But im too much of an idle basterd to be farting about.
https://www.buzzcateringsupplies.com/stainless-steel-catering-teapot-12oz.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvr3luKt6AIVEVXTCh0g_Q UBEAQYBSABEgKyP_D_BwE
One of the worse things you can drink tea out of is a glass mug, no matter what you do Tea tastes like piss in them plus it stays hot for too long.
Jeff: that cuppa looks like Piss, Get some builders tea made man :D
Scored the biggest box of PG tips 240 bags! today in an Indian market.
Some tea biscuits too and Conner found Cadberrys hot chocolate.
Ok Marco,
Here is my odd way of making tea,seems to work.
Lol - bloody hell, you like your sugar!!:eek:
I don't take any...
Have you tried simply boiling the water in your pan, without teabags in it [make sure though that the water is *absolutely boiling*, though] and pouring that water over the teabag in your mug, then allowing it to brew (for around 3 mins), taking the bag out, then putting your sugar and/or milk in?
I'm pretty confident that will yield better results, as your tea looks too weak, probably because it's not been able to brew properly.. Try it and report back:)
Marco.
Will do Marco BTW the flash makes it look lighter than it is , but I would like it darker .
I will try boiling water over the tea bag and let it steep, also the pan holds enough water for two cups. I should have had 2 tea bags in the pan.
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 10:13
Jesus never ever taken sugar. Makes me sick looking at it..
Regarding Tea water Temp, depends on what tea you are brewing. I have variable temp kettle. Normal Tea using normal teabags does not need a temp as high as say making that herbal tea malarky.
walpurgis
22-03-2020, 10:27
Mum swore by Lyons Red Label loose leaf tea made in a traditional terracotta teapot with a cosy, the pot being warmed by rinsing out with boiling water first. It always tasted great to me. You need a strainer though :).
https://i.imgur.com/LC9VuKW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pDxRF58.png
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 10:34
Tea tastes great when its been stewed a bit under a tea cosy, The temp will not be as hot that way. If you look on a Tetley packet it will say use a warmed Teapot
Tea is shite at high temp. i dunno why people need to mega boiling..Needs to be below boiling point.
most black tea is just off boil.. about 98c.. others are lower
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 10:39
Yep i have the kettle set at 95c for black Tea.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/yorkshire-day-correct-way-make-proper-cuppa-45831
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 10:47
If you are making a Mug with a Teabag and add milk first your tea will be like piss. You can tailor the strength by the amount of milk you add later.
Tea tastes great when its been stewed a bit under a tea cosy, The temp will not be as hot that way. If you look on a Tetley packet it will say use a warmed Teapot
Tea is shite at high temp. i dunno why people need to mega boiling..Needs to be below boiling point.
Depends on the tea... For my tastes, all 'builder's' tea in bags benefits from boiling water. But of course, it's all down to personal taste:)
Marco.
If you are making a Mug with a Teabag and add milk first your tea will be like piss. You can tailor the strength by the amount of milk you add later.
Now That I do agree with!:cool:
Marco.
walpurgis
22-03-2020, 11:19
And don't leave a spoon in the mug/cup. it immediately drains heat from the hot water.
Lawrence001
22-03-2020, 11:44
And don't leave a spoon in the mug/cup. it immediately drains heat from the hot water.Like a Class A amp [emoji1]
I like to leave the teabag in until finished drinking. I like it as it gets a little stronger as you drink it. I must admit I don't know anyone else who does this.....
So is it just me?
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 18:32
No my old work mate used to do it. He used to make a big pint mug of tea at snap time, that had a inch thick 'I never wash my mug' crust around the inside. That alone could brew a mug of tea
:D
walpurgis
22-03-2020, 18:48
No my old work mate used to do it. He used to make a big pint mug of tea at snap time, that had a inch thick 'I never wash my mug' crust around the inside. That alone could brew a mug of tea
:D
There's a good way to bring tea mugs (and spoons) up like new. Fill the mug with fairly hot water and trickle about a desert spoon of caustic soda in and stir carefully, leave it to stand for an hour, then rinse out thoroughly. Taking care to not get any caustic soda solution on you, as it's nasty stuff!
Been doing mine this way as long as I can remember.
Never use a metal scourer, they scratch the glaze and the mug then becomes filthy in no time.
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 18:50
I put bleech water innit lol
southall-1998_mk2
22-03-2020, 19:11
I put bleech water innit lol
Are you a chav?
S.
Made in 1968
22-03-2020, 19:20
No what makes thi fink dat loike?
Lol - bloody hell, you like your sugar!!:eek:
I don't take any...
Have you tried simply boiling the water in your pan, without teabags in it [make sure though that the water is *absolutely boiling*, though] and pouring that water over the teabag in your mug, then allowing it to brew (for around 3 mins), taking the bag out, then putting your sugar and/or milk in?
I'm pretty confident that will yield better results, as your tea looks too weak, probably because it's not been able to brew properly.. Try it and report back:)
Marco.
Marco,
I I like the idea that the tea bag is only making one cup this way.
I brought the water to a very rapid boil then pored it right on the tea bag,and held in down with a spoon.
I left it sit over 4 min. then added less sugar and less milk and I can taste the tea more.
Should I use 2 tea bags in a mug?
It dose taste a little stronger and I do like the flavor more.
Once things settle down and we are free to go as we please, I'll find a good tea pot.
We don't have a lot of cupboard or counter space so the pan will have to double as a kettle.
We have down sized so much cookery after our remodel,trying to keep things simple.
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