It's JUST tea......

Nevada Ed

Nevada Ed

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Went to the Asian market an got some "Upgraded tea" to try out, instead of the "last place" stuff you find in tea bags at your local stores. ( or average )

First try was with Ti Kuan Yin green tea.........it turned out ok.

Next tea was another Green tea: Long Jing "Dragon Well".
I have had green teas before but this cup of tea was horrible !!

I went on line and looked up how to brew tea and "Holy Cow", I was all messed up....... Did you know you can ruin green tea by adding water that is too hot?! It will scorch the tender leaf and make it bitter. Ahh Soo........(Okie.)
Green tea needs only 176 degee water... which is boiling water, let to rest 2-3 minutes. Black tea can use 194 to 200 degree water. (220 is usually boiling water)
Black tea can soak/seep 3-4 minutes or more depending on the flavor you desire.
Green tea only needs 1-3 minutes before removing the tea leaves for it's flavor. Don't toss those leaves away just yet.......
Most high quality tea can be brewed 3-5 times if not set aside too long, to let dry or have mildew start in 2-3 hours.
Some just toss the loose leaf into the bottom of the cup and add hot water...............a 2nd option if not using a tea pot....
and don't forget to pre-warm the pot and cups with the "Rinse Water".
What rinse water?
That's another thing I learned !!
Most teas need or call for a quick 5-10 second hot water rinse, the "used water" can be poured out of the pot and into the cups............ New hot water is then added to the tea pot and the water in the cups can then be tossed out. This helps the tea taste better and also keep it warmer, longer.

Oh, and seeping too much Green tea in 190 degree water for 10 minutes will really get your attention!! Please don't do that..........
Green tea: 12oz pot, 1.5 tablespoon, 176 degree water for 1-2 minutes, for your first try.

Enjoy.
 
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Buy quality tea from known shippers!

The brands I use are Twining's and Taylor's of Harrogate, in Yorkshire. Twining'S was estblished in London in 1706 and holds the Royakl Warrant as suppliers of tea and coffee to the Sovereign and her household. That's what that little mark on the boxes and tea bags (if you use bags) is: the Lion and the Unicorn crest and the words, By Appointment to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II...

Taylor's holds the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. The three-feathered crest is his.

I prefer certain teas from both. For a Darjeeling, I like the fuller blend from Taylor's. And I like their English Breakfast Tea better. But for an Assam blend, I like Twining's Irish Breakfast better. It seems more refined and delicate, a bit more complex. Both brands are very good, though.

Both firms offer samples and Twining's will send a wonderful little book about their teas and the tea business. Actually, if you work their site carefully, Twining's will tell you so much about tea that I abandoned an idea that I had of writing a newspaper article on the subject. (Idid sell an article on coffee.)

Those in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area can find Taylor's tea at Central Market stores. Many supermarkets carry at least a few Twining's teas, as does World Market. You can buy either in bags or in loose tea cannisters.

If you request samples from Taylor's, be sure to ask for their English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Assam, and Yorkshire Gold blends.

I use a teapot that is often called a Brown Betty in the UK, but mine is blue. But I often use bags, for speed and convenience.

I like an herbal tea, too. It's from South Africa and has no caffeine, so you can drink it at night and still sleep. It's called Rooibos. From Afrikaans or the parent Dutch, the name means Red Bush. It's been used there for hundreds of years as a substitute for actual tea, which was sometimes scarce in early days, until tea came in on supply ships. (Cape Town was settled in 1652.)
 
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All I can add is the Keurig machines make a lousy cup of tea and cost way too much.
 
For the past 55 years I have been drinking Lipton Tea with the float thru tea bag, the brisk tea, take tea and see.:)

I ain't changing my brand.:cool:
 
There's an art to properly brewed tea, just like there is for coffee, wine and beer. You'll take some guff for discovering this and liking it, but sally forth -- it's worth it. The Lipton, Folgers and Budweiser crowd don't know what they're missing but tend to be happy -- you do know what they're missing and should be happy, too. :)

A warning, though: once down the path, the old ways will never work for you again.
 
Actually, for 'sweet tea' that you brew and keep in the fridge, I have found Luzianne to be the best. It won't turn cloudy when it is cold, and the taste is just right. You can buy regular or decaffeinated. I buy the family size tea bags and use 2 bags to make 1 1/2 quarts at a time. Try it-I think you'll like it.
 
RonJ said:
Wow, tea and musicals! Ain't we a dainty bunch!! :D

Just kidding, we could use a bit of sophistication around here! ;)
Click to expand...


Well, some gun owners just don't fit the stereotype...

I don't like musicals, but have attended symphony concerts. I was in the audience for a Van Cliburn concert, and have met Placido Domingo.

And I published a wine article. And I've never owned a pick-up truck! The NY Times would probably
be amazed at how many gun owners are not as they perceivve us.
 
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RonJ said:
Wow, tea and musicals! Ain't we a dainty bunch!! :D

Just kidding, we could use a bit of sophistication around here! ;)
Click to expand...

Don't mention the ballet slippers.:D

Boston Pops, of course I have been there many times.
 
I get my loose green tea leaves from an Asian importer by my office. He gave me the lowdown for making proper tea years ago. If done correctly it does make a huge difference.
 
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