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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 15, 2016 21:20:02 GMT -5
I realize some of you might drink different teas depending on mood, time of day, etc. So for the sake of this poll tell us if all were available which would be the one you'd choose more often than not?
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Oct 15, 2016 21:24:18 GMT -5
Earl Grey, hot.
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moimoi
AV Clubber 
Posts: 5,088 
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Post by moimoi on Oct 15, 2016 21:59:42 GMT -5
I was torn between Orange Pekoe and Earl Grey, but since the former isn't as widely available, I went with that.
Also, where's Assam or Ceylon as an option? That's probably what I drink the most, along with green.
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Post by Judkins Moaner on Oct 15, 2016 22:12:29 GMT -5
I should start drinking it. I need a hot drink to get me through the looming winter months but am starting to worry that I drink too much coffee. It shows how much I know that I used to think Sumatra Mandheling was a variety of tea instead of coffee ("meaty," a college friend put it).
I'm not helping, but I hope to get around to it.
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Post by 🔪 silly buns on Oct 16, 2016 7:58:11 GMT -5
I like herbal mint, but have recently had a spicy cinnamon tea, so now I'm looking for cinnamon or spicy teas. But mint is a go to for me.
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 16, 2016 12:08:33 GMT -5
I was torn between Orange Pekoe and Earl Grey, but since the former isn't as widely available, I went with that. Also, where's Assam or Ceylon as an option? That's probably what I drink the most, along with green. Damn! I always forget something. And I'm a total Assam man. |
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 16, 2016 12:08:57 GMT -5
I like herbal mint, but have recently had a spicy cinnamon tea, so now I'm looking for cinnamon or spicy teas. But mint is a go to for me. Cinnamon is truly the finest of the spices. |
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 16, 2016 12:10:02 GMT -5
By the way, the tea with the most fun to say name: Darjeeling. Though Lapsang souchong is a close second.
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Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Oct 17, 2016 8:07:33 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the appeal of Earl Grey. It tastes like drinking someone's grandma's old perfume that was left lying around an old trunk in the attic.
Milk oolong is my absolute #1 favorite.
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Post by 🔪 silly buns on Oct 17, 2016 8:34:34 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the appeal of Earl Grey. It tastes like drinking someone's grandma's old perfume that was left lying around an old trunk in the attic. Milk oolong is my absolute #1 favorite. a good earl grey with real bergamot and not bergamot flavoring is pretty good. |
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Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Oct 17, 2016 11:29:52 GMT -5
I like black tea blends, but when drinking a straight varietal I'll generally go for Assam or Nilgiri.
And for a fun (or "fun") tea fact, Orange Pekoe is actually just the grading system for quality of leaves. So just about any black tea can be OP. The more you know!
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 17, 2016 11:36:38 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the appeal of Earl Grey. It tastes like drinking someone's grandma's old perfume that was left lying around an old trunk in the attic. Milk oolong is my absolute #1 favorite. Milk oolong is the best! Though you have to hunt to find it, and also beware of the pale imitators that just add flavouring to create the illusion of the real stuff. |
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 17, 2016 11:38:07 GMT -5
I like black tea blends, but when drinking a straight varietal I'll generally go for Assam or Nilgiri. And for a fun (or "fun") tea fact, Orange Pekoe is actually just the grading system for quality of leaves. So just about any black tea can be OP. The more you know! I didn't know that, genuinely thought it was its own style/type. Usually the cheapest Red Rose / Lipton stuff in my mind. |
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Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Oct 17, 2016 11:45:37 GMT -5
I honestly don't understand the appeal of Earl Grey. It tastes like drinking someone's grandma's old perfume that was left lying around an old trunk in the attic. Milk oolong is my absolute #1 favorite. Milk oolong is the best! Though you have to hunt to find it, and also beware of the pale imitators that just add flavouring to create the illusion of the real stuff. Yes! I had a Russian coworker who brought me back a packet from a trip to Moscow and I loved it, even though I knew it had flavoring in it. So I went and looked for the real thing, and so far the best one I've found that does not seem to have any artificial flavoring is from American Tea Room. It's about $40 for 2 ounces, but totally worth the cost, especially because it gets better the more you steep it. I get a good 3 or 4 cups out of every teaspoon of the dried leaves. |
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Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Oct 17, 2016 11:48:37 GMT -5
I didn't know that, genuinely thought it was its own style/type. Usually the cheapest Red Rose / Lipton stuff in my mind. Based on my exhaustive research just now (read: "I skimmed the first part of the wikipedia entry"), Orange Pekoe is a good thing, because it means the leaves are whole, or something like that. BOP stands for "Broken Orange Pekoe", which is the grading where you're creeping down into Red Rose/Lipton territory. I was told once by a tea expert that Lipton's basic blend is made with a ridiculous number of teas, because they just buy up all the teensiest bits of broken tea leaf dust on the market. So it's basically the hot dog of teas. |
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Post by ganews on Oct 17, 2016 12:44:34 GMT -5
Green is fine, mint is very nice, and Japanese buckwheat tea is the best.
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 17, 2016 15:09:43 GMT -5
I didn't know that, genuinely thought it was its own style/type. Usually the cheapest Red Rose / Lipton stuff in my mind. Based on my exhaustive research just now (read: "I skimmed the first part of the wikipedia entry"), Orange Pekoe is a good thing, because it means the leaves are whole, or something like that. BOP stands for "Broken Orange Pekoe", which is the grading where you're creeping down into Red Rose/Lipton territory. I was told once by a tea expert that Lipton's basic blend is made with a ridiculous number of teas, because they just buy up all the teensiest bits of broken tea leaf dust on the market. So it's basically the hot dog of teas. Mmmm, hot dog tea.... |
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 17, 2016 15:14:07 GMT -5
Milk oolong is the best! Though you have to hunt to find it, and also beware of the pale imitators that just add flavouring to create the illusion of the real stuff. Yes! I had a Russian coworker who brought me back a packet from a trip to Moscow and I loved it, even though I knew it had flavoring in it. So I went and looked for the real thing, and so far the best one I've found that does not seem to have any artificial flavoring is from American Tea Room. It's about $40 for 2 ounces, but totally worth the cost, especially because it gets better the more you steep it. I get a good 3 or 4 cups out of every teaspoon of the dried leaves. The first time I had a tea shop employee invite me to smell the open canister of it I did a double take. "This?...is tea?" I immediately had to have some. I've maybe seen it in a couple of tea shops since then, and that was years ago. Sadly, no American Tea Rooms where I am (Thanks Trudeau), but I do visit family in southern CA from time to time so will have to stock up next time I'm in town. |
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Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Oct 17, 2016 15:18:07 GMT -5
Yes! I had a Russian coworker who brought me back a packet from a trip to Moscow and I loved it, even though I knew it had flavoring in it. So I went and looked for the real thing, and so far the best one I've found that does not seem to have any artificial flavoring is from American Tea Room. It's about $40 for 2 ounces, but totally worth the cost, especially because it gets better the more you steep it. I get a good 3 or 4 cups out of every teaspoon of the dried leaves. The first time I had a tea shop employee invite me to smell the open canister of it I did a double take. "This?...is tea?" I immediately had to have some. I've maybe seen it in a couple of tea shops since then, and that was years ago. Sadly, no American Tea Rooms where I am (Thanks Trudeau), but I do visit family in southern CA from time to time so will have to stock up next time I'm in town. There has been very little from that shop that I haven't loved - I think only one variety I just liked okay, but I've been very impressed with them. Once they accidentally sent me the wrong order (it was meant for someone else) and promptly called me to let me know about it, and that they were sending out the right package immediately; all I had to do was refuse the first one. I've never had a company be so proactive before! If you don't want to wait until your next visit to CA, I would suggest signing up for their newsletter as they frequently have 20 and 25% off sales without restrictions on varieties, and the shipping is always reasonable. If you're a rooibos person, they make a blend that tastes like limoncello. It's amazing. |
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GumTurkeyles
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$10 down, $10 a month, don't you be a turkey
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Post by GumTurkeyles on Oct 18, 2016 9:18:04 GMT -5
Other: Compost Tea
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Post by Return of the Thin Olive Duke on Oct 18, 2016 9:39:42 GMT -5
Black tea, flavored in the pot with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, rose petals, and honey. Poured and re-poured at least three times and served in a small glass. It's really strong. Once you go to the Middle East, you never go back.
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 19, 2016 21:09:03 GMT -5
Stop Gumber, don't drink it! |
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Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Oct 24, 2016 9:27:49 GMT -5
The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk and Pastafarian, I have to thank you both for the milk oolong discussion here! This past weekend I was in DC and stopped in at Capitol Teas for a refill of their delightful Sailor's Delight blend. The store happened to have a sample pot of milk oolong out, which I would otherwise have ignored. But with your raves fresh in my mind I was like, "Oooh, lemme have a sample." And then I walked out with a pound of the stuff. And am drinking it right now and never want to not be drinking it. You two are my tea heroes.
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Post by Pastafarian on Oct 24, 2016 22:58:37 GMT -5
The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk and Pastafarian , I have to thank you both for the milk oolong discussion here! This past weekend I was in DC and stopped in at Capitol Teas for a refill of their delightful Sailor's Delight blend. The store happened to have a sample pot of milk oolong out, which I would otherwise have ignored. But with your raves fresh in my mind I was like, "Oooh, lemme have a sample." And then I walked out with a pound of the stuff. And am drinking it right now and never want to not be drinking it. You two are my tea heroes. Always glad to evangelize for the cause! Next time I am in town I will accept a cup as thanks. On the other hand, anything called "Sailor's Delight" must be worth a sample. |
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Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Oct 26, 2016 9:56:46 GMT -5
The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk and Pastafarian , I have to thank you both for the milk oolong discussion here! This past weekend I was in DC and stopped in at Capitol Teas for a refill of their delightful Sailor's Delight blend. The store happened to have a sample pot of milk oolong out, which I would otherwise have ignored. But with your raves fresh in my mind I was like, "Oooh, lemme have a sample." And then I walked out with a pound of the stuff. And am drinking it right now and never want to not be drinking it. You two are my tea heroes. You know, it's funny - there's a Capital Tea shop really close to my office, and yet in almost 5 years of working here, I've never gone for a visit! Someone did bring in some tea blends from them a while back and I really liked what I had. I think now I'm going to have to go on my lunch break and check it out. Their website has a Thai lemongrass oolong and I'm really intrigued by that. Glad you like the milk oolong! I had several cups on Monday and it was just the thing to keep me warm and cozy. The weather's starting to get chilly here and I'm going to have to restock soon. |
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Post by Liz n Dicksgiving on Oct 26, 2016 10:06:08 GMT -5
You know, it's funny - there's a Capital Tea shop really close to my office, and yet in almost 5 years of working here, I've never gone for a visit! Someone did bring in some tea blends from them a while back and I really liked what I had. I think now I'm going to have to go on my lunch break and check it out. Their website has a Thai lemongrass oolong and I'm really intrigued by that. Glad you like the milk oolong! I had several cups on Monday and it was just the thing to keep me warm and cozy. The weather's starting to get chilly here and I'm going to have to restock soon. I think that's kind of the standard way to approach Capital Teas. My not-Hugs sister lives right near one, too, and ignored it for ages, just because she was like, "Eh, I've got tea sources. How good can that place be?" Then a friend gave her a sampler and she was like, "Whoops. I've been wasting all this time I could have been shopping there." I will say, if you go to the location at The Mosaic in Fairfax, one of the shop employees is hilariously over-eager. Man, that salesperson would NOT leave us alone, and her "knowledgeable input" was simultaneously too over-studied and too useless. The best part was when I remarked to not-Hugs that we thought we'd gotten a year's supply of the Sailor's Blend when we picked up a half pound in May, but we'd already run out; the salesperson was like, "Well, of course, because a half-pound of tea is considered a two-month supply. The reason for that is --" and here she took a deep breath as if about to impart some mind-blowing tea factoid, "-- a quarter pound is a one-month supply." Thanks, kid. My mind is blown. ::eyeroll:: (Also, I was drinking other teas during that time, too! That half-pound of Sailor's Delight is but one of many teas in my collection!) |
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Post by 🔪 silly buns on Dec 16, 2016 23:26:29 GMT -5
Anything from Harney & Sons is my favorite tea. If I lived near one of their shops I'd be in every week. I just bought Harney and Son's Cinnamon Spice tea. It can get a bit strong if you leave the tea bag in past the 5 minute mark. |
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Post by 🔪 silly buns on Dec 16, 2016 23:27:40 GMT -5
I am wondering if I would like a tea that is just cracked pepper and sugar.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2016 3:30:29 GMT -5
I was torn between Orange Pekoe and Earl Grey, but since the former isn't as widely available, I went with that. Also, where's Assam or Ceylon as an option? That's probably what I drink the most, along with green. Damn! I always forget something. And I'm a total Assam man.  |
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Post by 🔪 silly buns on Dec 17, 2016 11:26:59 GMT -5
I am wondering if I would like a tea that is just cracked pepper and sugar. My Sikh friends in college drank black pepper tea for health, with honey instead of sugar. They either made their own (which was really intense) or just bought Yogi brand chai, which is peppery in comparison to most other brands but not like blow-your-sinuses-out peppery. I found a chai recipe on a Sikh site that looks a lot like what I remember, but the people I knew left out the milk: 10 ounces of water (about 1 1/3 cups) 3 whole cloves 4 whole green cracked cardamom pods 4 whole black peppercorns 2 slices fresh ginger root ½ stick cinnamon ¼ teaspoon black tea ½ cup milk Cooking Instructions: Using a large pot, bring water to boiling and carefully add spices. Cover and boil 15 to 20 minutes, then add black tea. Let sit for 3-5 minutes, then add the milk and return to a boil. Upon reaching a boil, carefully remove from heat and strain. If desired, add honey for sweetness. Makes one 8 ounce serving. Nice! Thanks! |
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