Any *serious* tea drinkers here?

[TimeforMe]

I don't mean Lipton tea bags, etc. (although I do enjoy those as well ), but rather loose tea that you infuse? I have a friend who's always been into tea, but I don't see her much and really didn't pay attention. Back in November, DD and I went to a craft fair and one of the vendors had a company that sells chinese tea--tons of different kinds. So I bought DD an infuser and a small asst. of tea. I was reading up a little about it tonight (while enjoying a cup of white tea) and was liking what I was reading. One can actually make a hobby out of it! I just ordered a bunch more online to try.

Anyone else enjoy tea and all its benefits?

 

[minkydog]

I'm pretty serious about tea, though not a "serious" tea drinker by your definition. I'm not particular about using loose tea, but I drink about 8 cups a day. I despise herbal "fake" tea or any tea with flavorings. I prefer black tea in a real cup(no styrofoam), with milk and sugar. NO lemon, NO artifical sweeteners. Definitely NO non-dairy creamer! Green tea, if I'm in the mood (which isn't often). I love Red Rose--it's strong, woody and slightly floral. I've been drinking tea since I was a baby and I don't tolerate anyone messing with my tea.

 

[vettechick99]

I adore tea as well but hate the loose kind. It's just too time-consuming for my lifestyle. But every morning for the past 10 years I'd had a hot cup of Earl Grey. I order mine from Harney and Sons. I first tasted it at Disney about 5 years ago and have been a convert ever since. Any tea drinker should try them - wonderful company and great tea (and good prices too)!

www.harney.com

 

[kandeebunny]

I've been working on a bag I got from teavana the other day...green tea mojo...its delish

I love white and jasmine (which I usually pick up at the Japan pavillion!!!)

 

[nhrenee]

I love tea. I've been thinking about using loose tea but just have to get the equipment. I love herbal tea in the eve, very relaxing.

kandeebunny,
How would you describe white tea? I've never tried it.

 

[nhrenee]

What type of tea strainer/ball does everyone use?

 

[FluffyPumpkin78]

I used to work for Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in SoCal, and dh and I are regular customers of Teavana

White tea comes from the same plant that green and black ones are grown from, but they are picked a bit earlier. The bud is not open when picked, and it there are fine little white *hairs* or fibers on the outside. THe flavor is light and a bit sweet, and there is no grassy flavor that one usually tastes in green tea. It also contains a lot more anti-oxidants than green tea.

I really like Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl, and order it from coffeebean.com. For a white tea dh and I both enjoy the Precious Peach from Teavana.

Using loose leaf tea really isnt that big of a pain once you get used to it. Most tea and coffee shops sell a variety of tea steepers. You just need to find one you are most comfortable with. Just like coffee!

 

[hercamore]

I love tea, especially green tea. However, I'm worried about the fluoride in green tea, so I better stop drinking it. I have Hashimotos (thyroid issues).

herc.

 

[happybratpack]

Another huge fan of Harney here - and Teavana. If you really follow the steeping directions/temps and such for the different types of teas it makes a huge difference. I have way too much tea "equipment" here.

 

[arminnie]

I am VERY serious about my tea. I'm probably as bad as my friends in No. CAlifornia (where I used to live) are about wine. There really is that much variety to it.

My favorite place to order from is http://uptontea.com/shopcart/home.asp. They have a ton of information on their site, and hundreds of different teas.

My favorite tea is Assam - it's a black tea from the Assam area of India that is often used in the blends like Irish breakfast tea. There are 56 different Assams (black) plus some white Assams listed with Upton.

The Chatsford teapot http://uptontea.com/shopcart/catalo...ccessories>Teaware>Teapots&category=Chatsford
makes it really easy to brew loose tea.

It really does matter what the temperature of the water is (not as hot for green tea) and how long you steep it. The tea from Upton comes labeled not only with your name and the name of the tea but also the recommended temperature and time for steeping.

They have great customer service and will also mail you a catalogue.

 

[Christine]

I drink about 3 cups a day. My favorite is just plain old black tea with some sugar and milk (I guess the "English" way!!). My favorite "store" brand is Salada. It is not bitter at all. Hard to find here and Wegman's is the only one that carries it.

I got some Teavana stuff for Christmas. They don't label the bags so I can't even begin to tell you what it is. I didn't like the mess my infuser was making so I picked up an Assam Teapot at Target the other day. It is much like a coffee press. You put the tea in a little chamber that is like a filter. Pour the boiling water over it into the pot. Let it stand for 4-5 minutes and then press the plunger down. This stops the brewing process and only allows a small amount of tea leaves into your drink.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the thread. Never knew about "tea infusers".
I would like to invest in some tea...I have to give up coffee and this sounds like a way to do it for me.

 

[LJC1861]

I have a Chatsford Teapot and just love it! It makes having a pot of loose tea much more enjoyable. I have a tendency to forget the strainer so the Chatsford pot makes things much easier.

I love Harney and Sons teas as well, and am very partial to their Earl Grey. Assam is also wonderful and I enjoy that in the morning and Earl Grey in the afternoon/evening. For bagged tea I prefer Stash tea. My favorite store brand tea is Tetley British Blend, a round tea bag and a really strong flavor.

Linda

 

[Planogirl]

I need to invest in equipment so that I can use loose tea but for now I settle for tea bags. I'm a big fan of Twinings for every day use but generally I tend to prefer Ceylon pekoe blends. I detest Earl Grey which I know is weird for a tea drinker. Herbals aren't favorites either except a few that are good for medicinal purposes.

 

[Christine]

. I detest Earl Grey which I know is weird for a tea drinker. Herbals aren't favorites either except a few that are good for medicinal purposes.

Not weird. I'm not crazy about Earl Grey either. The bergomot additive kind of bothers me, tastewise.

 

[cybrkitn]

I'm a tea drinker. I mostly use the tea bags (regular and flavored). But I do have some loose rose flavored tea that I use as well. The place where I bought it from (all their merch was from Britain) has gone out of business so I try to use it sparingly.

I love going to tea houses where they give you a teapot with loose tea. We have a few here and the atmosphere is very calm and peaceful.

I like my tea plain - no milk, sugar or lemon. One tea bag gets me about 4 cups (letting it steap to make it strong). That trick I got from my great-grandmother who was from Wales. Never could understand why she used one tea bag until I figured it out

 

[Chilehead Too]

I too have a Chatsford Teapot and love it. My favorite teas of late are the golden Kenya. I like mainly black tea, but sometimes will go for a cup of green tea. I do not care for any flavored teas and prefer mine strong and dark. I just add a touch of raw sugar.

 

[ducklite]

Serious tea drinker here.

Most of the time at work I'm just drinking bagged Twinings English Breakfast, but at home I do mostly loose tea in a tea ball in a pot.

I drink the equivelent of probably 80 ounces of tea a day. NEVER Lipton or Tetley. PG Tips or Bigelow in a dire emergency, the house blend from a shop in Luechars, Scotland that a friend ships over to me as a treat.

Anne

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I've never met a tea that I didn't like! Well, except for Lipton or Salada, really...I have an iced tea pot and I brew some to take for lunch for the week, using Celestial Seasonings, but for my hot tea, I will only use Twinings or Republic of Tea.

 

[shortbun]

I have a collection of teapots and several infusers. I even have a couple of single spoon infusers for when I don't want to make a pot. I have been known to use a tea bag though. My fav premade chai comes in a bag. I don't like Earl Grey either, I think it's dry and harsh. I've blended a couple of my own teas and I grown spearmint and peppermint to dry and add.