Becoming a tea drinker.

[ledouche]

Had a variety of tea made by the Tuareg people years back. It's thick, gunpowder green tea steeped two or three times, each time being ceremonially poured from a height back into a steeping pot with more tea and possibly a variety of other spices. I didn't totally catch everything, but would drink again.

 

[MJ45]

A lot of variet and one of my favorite "Fruit tea"

 

[chobochobo]

FN Jubilee Blend was nice. Now I'm starting Harrods Assam Thowra (that's what's on the label). 10GBP per 250g. Not leaves but small rolled up balls.

 

[futailee]

Anyone Taiwanese high mountain teas (oolong tea) lover here?

Taiwan is famous for its oolong teas, particularly those which produced in high altitude (at least 1000m) due to its perfect weather and afternoon mist. The production is managed by independent smallholders, unlike the big estates, the artisans are allowed to focus more on high quality production in small quantity.

Oolong tea is an excellent choice for both beginners and experts, it is a fragrant and smooth tea that even beginners can easily enjoy, also because it’s a very wide category (the oxidation level between green and black tea can be categorised as oolong), the flavour is more complex and versatile than all other teas. Many tea connoisseur just can’t get enough of this rich and floral, fruity tastes that lingers at length on the palate. Well, it’s absolutely dangerous to go directly to the high mountain tea if you are new to tea drink, as the quality may make you hard to switch to other teas thereafter. But it’s always a good way to try something that is worth your time and money.

 

[chobochobo]

Visited postcard Teas in London. Nice little shop with small range of curated Teas. Amongst others, I bought a roasted Japanese (supernatural black) that tasted good as a breakfast tea.

 

[chobochobo]

So I've had an extended taste test with the Supernatural black and I still like it. But the English breakfast v3 from Postcard teas is much nicer, it can give you a nice strong brew that is still smooth. But the Sonitpur Assam from the same shop is the best of all. Full flavour with maltiness but yet smooth. They only had small 50g sizes available, I've had one pack of each so far and will definitely get more.

Now, back to Harrods English Breakfast 8GBP for 200g.

 

[chobochobo]

Okay, this Harrods English Breakfast seems to be a bit of a dud. I can't get it to brew up a strong cup despite adding more tea and increasing the water temperature. Hmmm.

 

[chobochobo]

Finished some Postcard teas London Roast which was nice if you upped your usual amount by about 10-20%. Now starting some old stock - Harrods Hatimara Assam (40GBP per Kg) which is a CTC granular looking tea. Strong malty taste.

 

[javyn]

Can someone rec a really good Oolong? Specifically high grade Ti Gwan Yin? So far the most promising source I've found is Yunnan Sourcing but the US warehouse is limited, and the Chinese one will take 4 years to ship to me it seems.

 

[chobochobo]

I actually don't drink a lot of Chinese tea except Pu erh and sometimes Dai Hung Pao.

Last year, I bought a huge amount of single estate of Assam from a place in Mangalam. Been trying their organic orthodox and CTC and they're both very good. Strong clean taste.

I also just finished another big bag of English breakfast from Postcard teas. Great blend, but you need a big spoonful for a decently strong cup. Now trying their Family Breakfast Sahyadri blend.

 

[jbuenavides]

I do love bubble tea, I prefer drinking it than having carbonated drinks.

 

[javyn]

I'm loving roasted barley now. I steep 7 heaping tablespoons in my Bodum, let it cool, then top it off in a pitcher with water and Splenda and drink it chilled.

 

[Kingstonian]

Builder’s tea.



Made with freshly boiled water in a heated pot or mug.

Allow to brew until it is a good colour or the spoon stands up on its own in the mug.

‘Red Label’ is usually sound across various brands. I think Lyons originally marketed it. ‘Gold Label’ if you want to spend a bit more.

As brands can vary over time, you might have to try different ones to check you are still getting a good one.

Assam is usually the strongest ingredient. Can be harvested from various countries though.

 

[RSS]

"Fruit tea"

We enjoyed a fruit tea one night while in the Napa Valley. We thought it sufficiently good that we bought a tin (Auberge Blend Herbal from Auberge du Soleil). Maybe we'd had too much to drink.

 

[catpepper]

for health, maybe black tea might be most healthy? I'm not sure if it is, but they are usually much less sweet than other kinds of tea especially green tea.