psychgirl
Shy Member
Posts: 37 
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Post by psychgirl on Aug 12, 2014 1:30:19 GMT
I want to like it. I really do. I think I'm doing it wrong. I LOVE coffee, but would like something for the afternoon and evening. Tell me about tea if it's something you enjoy. Type, brand, milk, sugar? I'm ready to try again but could benefit from some guidance. I've only ever bought grocery store brands (Celestial Seasonings, etc) and usually something mint or fall spicy. There's often an aftertaste that I don't like. Wisdom welcome.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 12:23:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 1:35:20 GMT
I love tea.
I drink Tetley or sometimes Red Rose.
This is how I make it:
Bring kettle of water to a boil.
Put tea bag into mug, pour boiling water over.
Let steep for 2-4 minutes depending on preferences (I use 3 min for one mug, 3:30 for another, DH likes 4 min)
DO NOT JAB THE BAG OR POKE IT OR STIR IT AROUND.
Gently lift bag out of mug and GENTLY squeeze excess water out on side of mug with spoon.
I like tea with milk or sometimes cream. I prefer no sugar.
The bitter aftertaste might be tannins from over-steeping your tea or jabbing/poking/stirring the bag.
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psychgirl
Shy Member
Posts: 37
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Post by psychgirl on Aug 12, 2014 1:42:35 GMT
Thanks Ashley! That's useful information. Over steeping and jabbing the bag are all very likely. I usually boil the water in the microwave and drop the bag in. I come back to get it when I remember. Yeah...
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 12:23:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 1:47:46 GMT
Oh yes, if I forget to set the timer, it's pretty much guaranteed that cup of tea is going straight down the drain. My BIL steeps tea for random amounts of time and stands over it jabbing it with the spoon.. now DH and I make the tea when we visit and BIL is over for dinner! |
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Post by shamrock on Aug 12, 2014 1:51:27 GMT
We order from Adaigo. They have nice size samples that allow you to try different flavors with out committing too much.
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Post by MonkeysInk on Aug 12, 2014 1:56:25 GMT
I order from Harney. They have the absolute most delicious jasmine tea I've ever found. I like that you can order most things in very small quantities, so I always order a wide variety.
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Post by padresfan619 on Aug 12, 2014 1:57:04 GMT
Twinnings English breakfast tea is my favorite. With a bit of milk and sugar.
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Post by lilacgal on Aug 12, 2014 2:00:33 GMT
Twinnings English breakfast tea is my favorite. With a bit of milk and sugar. That's what I usually drink too. I enjoy Darjeeling as well. Twinnings has it in a purple box, and DD calls it my purple tea. I enjoy Earl Grey as well. It is different without being fruity to me. I don't enjoy fruit teas. I like all my hot tea with cream and sugar. |
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Post by camanddanismom on Aug 12, 2014 2:01:33 GMT
I love love love tea! My basic tea is Red Rose in a huge cup. Real Tea experts will hate me for this for while I know the proper way to heat water and steep tea, I got used to making it this way for speed and I'm hooked
I put my tea bag in a big cup of water, add milk and microwave for 4 minutes and then let it sit until it's just cool enough to drink. Discard bag (don't squeeze it, it can add bitterness to the tea).
No sugar
My very favorite is Ahmad English Afternoon
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Mystie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,300
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Post by Mystie on Aug 12, 2014 2:08:47 GMT
If you're looking for a good mint tea, Bigelow Plantation Mint or Tazo Refresh Mint are both excellent. Very minty! For a spicy tea, I love Bigelow's Constant Comment.
My favorite black teas are Twinings English Breakfast, PG Tips or Twinings Orange Ceylon.
I agree with Ashley's instructions--I steep my tea for 4 minutes strictly.Then I add a scant tsp. of sugar and a splash of milk.
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Post by anniefb on Aug 12, 2014 2:20:05 GMT
My favourite is Twinings - English Breakfast or Earl Grey. I let a bag steep for 2-3 mins depending on how strong I want it. Here's what Twinings has to say about getting the perfect cup  |
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psychgirl
Shy Member
Posts: 37
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Post by psychgirl on Aug 12, 2014 2:21:53 GMT
Yea Mystie! Constant Comment. My Mom used to drink that occasionally and I remember really liking it. I had forgotten that one.
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MaryC
Full Member
Posts: 213
Jun 25, 2014 21:52:55 GMT
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Post by MaryC on Aug 12, 2014 3:03:35 GMT
Twinings is one of the few brands I can buy locally, but I prefer Irish Breakfast over English. I like making it in a teapot with loose tea, but I'm usually in a hurry, so I use a mug and a tea bag. I have a double-insulated glass mug that keeps the tea nice and hot, and the clear glass makes it easy to tell when the tea is steeped to my preference.
In the evenings, I like herbal teas. My favorite is Bigelow's rooibos tea with Asian pear - it is mildly sweet and delicious hot or iced.
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Post by tamaraann on Aug 12, 2014 3:11:08 GMT
Twinnings English breakfast tea is my favorite. With a bit of milk and sugar. That's what I usually drink too. I enjoy Darjeeling as well. Twinnings has it in a purple box, and DD calls it my purple tea. I enjoy Earl Grey as well. It is different without being fruity to me. I don't enjoy fruit teas. I like all my hot tea with cream and sugar.
Twinings English Breakfast is my favorite also. In fact, I buy it in bulk off of Amazon and subscribe and save and get 6 boxes of 100 teabags every 3 months.
To make it, boil water in a tea kettle (I hate tea from microwaved water, it just always seems off!), pour over bag for 3-5 minutes. I like it strong. It needs to be boiling water too. DD often tries to shortcut it by not boiling it all the way and I can always tell. I add a stevia packet and milk. More milk than most people like. I usually need at least a half inch in my cup. And milk only. I don't like cream in my tea or half and half. Blech!
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Post by lucyg on Aug 12, 2014 19:08:06 GMT
If you're looking for something to drink in the PM, you probably want caffeine-free or at least low caffeine. Black tea such as breakfast tea, or Red Rose, Constant Comment, etc., keep me up at night even worse than coffee does.
So be sure you stick to herbal teas, decaffeinated black teas, or you can try oolong, which has a lower caffeine level than black tea. Green tea and some white teas also have lower levels of caffeine. I personally love Republic of Tea ginger peach decaf (also available with caff) after dinner. It comes in tea bags and also I believe as a loose tea.
Another thing, I almost never steep tea as long as the instructions say. Four minutes is about three minutes too long for my mouth, unless it's an herbal tea. That's where the bitter/astringent taste comes from. I do steep it a little longer if I'm going to add milk. A little sugar also helps smooth out the flavor (real sugar).
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 12:23:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2014 19:46:59 GMT
I have a few varieties from Republic of Tea. I like their fruity green teas. You can get on their mailing list and every month they send me a sample tea bag. That way you can try a bunch of samples and see what you like. I don't add any milk or sugar, but that's personal preference. I always steep for at least 3 minutes and I usually leave the bag in while I'm drinking and bob it up and down a few times. (I'm sure those last two are horrid tea crimes).
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Post by penny on Aug 12, 2014 19:49:46 GMT
I love Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey Black Tea, and pretty much all the loose teas at David's Teas... The tea pot they sell at David's is awesome - they call it a steeper... You add the loose tea, water, agave if you want, let it steep, then place it over your mug and the tea comes out the bottom... Easy to clean too... For those that enjoy the making of tea, it's definitely fun... Right now I'm drinking their Caramel Corn loose tea... They have a bunch of fair themed teas out for the season and it's a fun change to my Earl Grey staple www.davidstea.com/neon-pink-steeper-36-oz?&TF=8215E1C9208C&DEID= |
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Post by lucyg on Aug 12, 2014 19:57:26 GMT
I forgot to say, most tea experts frown on boiling the water in the microwave. I have an electric kettle, and I use bottled spring water in it. Don't keep re boiling the same water over and over again. I'm not saying you have to pour it out every time (although the experts might say to) but I do dump it out pretty frequently, anyway. ETA my personal belief is that the quality of the water and how it's handled and steeped has more effect on the quality of your cup of tea than the actual tea itself does. I can make a damn fine cup of tea using the cheapest supermarket tea bags. |
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Post by krc11 on Aug 12, 2014 19:58:03 GMT
I prefer loose tea over bags. I think the quality is generally better and flavor is less bitter. I bought a ingenuiTEA defusor from Adiago Teas. Love it. As described above loose tea, water and sweetner if you like go in it, then after steeping, put it on your mug and it is strained through the filter on the bottom. No muss, no fuss, no loose tea leaves in your tea.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 13, 2014 15:25:58 GMT
Yorkshire tea with soya milk. Delicious.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 13, 2014 15:43:14 GMT
I love tea. I drink Tetley or sometimes Red Rose. This is how I make it: Bring kettle of water to a boil. Put tea bag into mug, pour boiling water over. Let steep for 2-4 minutes depending on preferences (I use 3 min for one mug, 3:30 for another, DH likes 4 min) DO NOT JAB THE BAG OR POKE IT OR STIR IT AROUND. Gently lift bag out of mug and GENTLY squeeze excess water out on side of mug with spoon. I like tea with milk or sometimes cream. I prefer no sugar. The bitter aftertaste might be tannins from over-steeping your tea or jabbing/poking/stirring the bag. I've seen the DO NOT POKE OR STIR warnings in tea discussions before. What if I REALLY want to mess with the bag? Poking or stirring.... What's the harm? |
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angie w
Full Member
Posts: 107
Jun 26, 2014 2:35:35 GMT
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Post by angie w on Aug 13, 2014 15:45:22 GMT
my favorite is Choice Moroccan Mint. I like it both iced and hot. I never heard about not poking the tea bag before. Will have to stop doing that!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 9, 2024 12:23:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 15:47:14 GMT
I've seen the DO NOT POKE OR STIR warnings in tea discussions before. What if I REALLY want to mess with the bag? Poking or stirring.... What's the harm? It makes the tea bitter. Same thing if you really squeeze all of the water out of the bag when the tea is done steeping. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Aug 13, 2014 15:48:06 GMT
i am a milk/sugar gal
water from a kettle
when things get stressful...i put on the kettle
gina
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Post by jmurray on Aug 13, 2014 16:06:25 GMT
I'm loving jasmine tea pearls right now - pic below. You add 4-5 of these into a teapot and you have lovely green jasmine tea for several hours. Just keep topping up with fresh boiling water. And they never get bitter. And can someone be so kind as to explain how I make this picture smaller?  |
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Post by withapea on Aug 13, 2014 16:16:46 GMT
I'm a huge tea drinker. My suggestions, get an electric tea kettle and try a wide variety to learn what you really like. I don't like milk or sugar in mine and tend to shy away from anything too sweet or overly fruity. I like my tea strong so I tend to steep longer than some but it also really depends on the tea. There are some teas that I can let sit until I finish the cup and others I only let steep for a few minutes. Also some teas are better when you add hot water but not boiling water. I think squeezing definitely makes a difference, I've never poked a bag so I don't know about that LOL I have one of these tea infuser that I really like too. |
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Post by gar on Aug 13, 2014 16:20:43 GMT
Fresh water boiled, milk added afterwards, sugar or honey if desired. My personal favourite brands are Typhoo or PG Tips. Ideally, loose leaf tea but I don't have time usually for all that so a bag is fine generally  |
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Post by mrst on Aug 13, 2014 16:27:26 GMT
As a Brit I agree with Gar. Fresh water just boiled is a must and personally no milk or sugar unless its with fish and chips when milk is acceptable!
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 13, 2014 17:14:02 GMT
I agree with this, with a couple of minor adjustments. ALWAYS heat up the pot/cup before putting in the tea and when you remove the tea bag just let the water drip out, don't squeeze. I 100% agree with this. We don't drink our tap water unfiltered and I can always tell if DH has made coffee with direct from the tap water. I am very envious of people who have great tasting tap water. My favorite afternoon/evening tea is Good Earth Sweet & Spicy hot or cold, no milk or sugar needed. |
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Post by elinoah on Aug 13, 2014 18:18:46 GMT
Typhoo darjeeling is my favorite tea ever, but I can never get it. I do have some taj mahal darjeeling that I purchased while in India. It is super good. I can not stand Twinings Darjeeling. It has no flavor.
I love the Taj Mahal black tea brand and sometimes I will make an "Indian" tea in the afternoon by heating my milk and sugar in the microway and then adding boiling water over the tea bag and steeping for 3 minutes.
I can not stand teas that have bergomot added to it. I like Twinings English Black tea for my tea and milk if I do not have the Taj Mahal brand.
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