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Tea |OT| Oh, tea.

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myyah998

Member
What do you use to store loose leaf tea? Currently using this with a layer of plastic wrap underneath the inner lid for tighter seal but wondering if I should shell out more for things from specialty stores.
 

Heel

Member
Not looking to get too creative with loose leaf tea and all that. What are the best bagged teas I can find in U.S. groceries stores? I can get to places like Trader Joe's and Sprout's too if that helps.
 

Goldrush

Member
Anyone knows a good place online to buy seeds for the flowers used for Chrysanthemum Tea? I'm not sure which species of Chrysanthemum is traditionally used.
 
Yunnan Sourcing has some rather decent and really affordable white and green teas (and also Pu-erh obviously since that's what the Yunnan region is known for), their prices are probably the only way I'm willing to afford white tea being my main beverage as otherwise its so expensive if you're going for quality.
 
Lyon's or Barry's is a good conversation starter in Ireland about tea :p

Peppermint tea is my go-to tea when I don't want milk or anything.
 

XenoRaven

Member
My mom used to make this like iced mint tea stuff. I have no idea how she made it. I just know she picked the leaves herself, and put them in a pitcher with water and then just left it out in the sun all day. Whatever she did, it was delicious.

Could I potentially get similar results using the stuff in the OP?
 

Enigma5

Member
I'm a huge fan of loose tea, I usually make a cup every morning...

tea2.JPG

tea3.JPG

tea4.JPG
 

Number45

Member
Subscribed. I've been meaning to get into tea for some time (aside from my occasional cup of Twinings Everyday with milk that is). I've tried some green teas in teabag form but they really haven't done it for me at all - in fact I'd say akin to drinking water mixed with ash.

Will check out this thread in more detail when I have some time.

I enjoy most Green tea but I cannot say I found a favourite other than blends with a hint of lemon. I like Chun Mee and Moroccan Mint...
Now that you mention it, this is one of the flavoured teas I really quite like:

Range1Product5.png
 

F#A#Oo

Banned
Lapsang souchong...it smells bad/funky but it's pretty damn good. I also guess Russian Caravan falls under the same tea.

I enjoy most Green tea but I cannot say I found a favourite other than blends with a hint of lemon. I like Chun Mee and Moroccan Mint...
 

morningbus

Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
Cool, thanks!

Any similar suggestions from Davidson? They seemed priced better.

Start with Adagio, honestly. The amount of tea you get from Davdison's is seriously deceptive. Try the Spcied Mate or even just the Plain Mate. Davidson's is great, but it's not for trying stuff. It's for buying staples of your tea pantry.

Came for MorningBus's cup full of tea knowledge.
Did not leave disappointed.

Good to see you! We need to play L4D again, or something. Anything.

What do you use to store loose leaf tea? Currently using this with a layer of plastic wrap underneath the inner lid for tighter seal but wondering if I should shell out more for things from specialty stores.

I have a bunch of containers that look kind of like these (though mine don't have a clear, see-through top. Keeping light out is more important with tea than coffee):
NxCOC.jpg

They're meant for storing coffee, but thankfully both coffee and tea have the same requirements. A tight seal is important. You should be able to run it under water and have the contents remain dry.

Not looking to get too creative with loose leaf tea and all that. What are the best bagged teas I can find in U.S. groceries stores? I can get to places like Trader Joe's and Sprout's too if that helps.

Do Trader Joe's. I like their Pomegranate White Tea. Also look at the Natural/Organic Food section of your local, large grocery store. A lot of good tea is hiding away there.

My mom used to make this like iced mint tea stuff. I have no idea how she made it. I just know she picked the leaves herself, and put them in a pitcher with water and then just left it out in the sun all day. Whatever she did, it was delicious.

Could I potentially get similar results using the stuff in the OP?

It sounds like she was using large mint leaves. They should be available at a grocery store in the produce department. Try repeating what your Mom did with that.

There's nothing sugar can do for tea that honey can't do better.

Truth.
 
I never really liked tea before being introduced to jasmine green tea, and now I'm hopelessly addicted. Prefer my tea without honey/sugar/etc.

Guilt-free indulgence FTW!
 

F#A#Oo

Banned
What strainers are you all using for loose tea?

I'm using a weird mini-sieve that just sits at the top of the cup/mug...I use to have a strainer that sat inside the cup but one of my flat mates nicked it when he moved out and have no managed to find a similar strainer.
 

Gilby

Member
Got my pound of green tea powder in the mail 2 weeks ago. Surprisingly good taste compared to the other brands I've tried, and it was cheap too! I do miss chewing the leaves though.
 

Davidion

Member
Here's a question. I'm a big fan of dark green tea, but I drink it pretty much exclusively cold. So for home brewing I'm looking for an easy way to brew in a large volume (as in, a huge pot) and throw in the fridge in canisters.

Does anyone know of a good efficient way to do this?
 
I have a lot of trouble with coffee. For it to be remotely palatable I find myself adding levels of milk and sugar that discourage its regular consumption. This thread has inspired me to give tea a chance, but I need strong flavor, lots of caffeine and preferably not too much bitterness. I've enjoyed barley tea but again, caffeine.

The shop downstairs has lots of options for me to experiment with but they raised their prices so I'm looking for recommendations here. I'm a wimp with super hot beverages so something that's excellent when iced or that produces strong flavors at 170 will be very welcome.
 

Stasis

Member
I can't get into tea at all no matter how many times I try. I'll enjoy it, but it just makes me want an espresso/cappuccino/latte more. I'd like to enjoy it more, but it hasn't happened.

My gf has recently been in a tea discovery phase. She buys all her stuff at:

http://www.davidstea.com/

They're extremely popular here in Montreal, but seem to be going international. A lot of flavored stuff, but they have the real deal too. At least as far as I'm aware. You tea snobs may disagree! =)
 

morningbus

Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
Here's a question. I'm a big fan of dark green tea, but I drink it pretty much exclusively cold. So for home brewing I'm looking for an easy way to brew in a large volume (as in, a huge pot) and throw in the fridge in canisters.

Does anyone know of a good efficient way to do this?

How much are we talking about producing here? I have two thoughts: get something like this:
NyVqn.jpg

The loose leaves should either float or stay below the spigot. Or you could put them in a mesh herb bag. That'll do 3 gallons at a time.

Or, if you need to do less than that, say about 6 cups, you could use a large french press (marketed as 12 cup because of BS coffee terminology).

I have a lot of trouble with coffee. For it to be remotely palatable I find myself adding levels of milk and sugar that discourage its regular consumption. This thread has inspired me to give tea a chance, but I need strong flavor, lots of caffeine and preferably not too much bitterness. I've enjoyed barley tea but again, caffeine.

The shop downstairs has lots of options for me to experiment with but they raised their prices so I'm looking for recommendations here. I'm a wimp with super hot beverages so something that's excellent when iced or that produces strong flavors at 170 will be very welcome.

Roasted Yerba Mate is right up your alley. I love the stuff. Narien Teas has a fantastic price (including shipping). Also available from Upton Tea (but go with Narien)
 

Tawpgun

Member
My only experience with high quality tea is Teavana.

Whenever I'm at the Prudential Center in Boston I always stop by and drink they're free samples until they kick me out.

Fuck now I want to walk back and get a cup of it to go. But I probably won't have time between dinner and the bruins game.

One thing I've wanted to try is milk in tea. It always seems so weird to me. If I made some teabag quality tea (like lipton or some shit) and put milk in would that do anything?
 

morningbus

Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
After going to Asia and seeing how everybody's teeth had been stained by tea I'm kinda scared to drink it now.......
If you're concerned, get a tea straw (or bombilla)!
kawJi.jpg

Great for an authentic yerba mate experience.

I can't get into tea at all no matter how many times I try. I'll enjoy it, but it just makes me want an espresso/cappuccino/latte more. I'd like to enjoy it more, but it hasn't happened.

My gf has recently been in a tea discovery phase. She buys all her stuff at:

http://www.davidstea.com/

They're extremely popular here in Montreal, but seem to be going international. A lot of flavored stuff, but they have the real deal too. At least as far as I'm aware. You tea snobs may disagree! =)

No complaints from me here. I really enjoy David's Tea (and stop by whenever I'm in Montreal). They are basically like an American store called Teavana, except done right. They aren't trying to screw you and they offer some legit stuff.

I also really like The Camellia Sinensis Tea House (they have a few location in Montreal, but I've only been to the one in the Latin Quarter). They have some really legit stuff there.


My only experience with high quality tea is Teavana.

Whenever I'm at the Prudential Center in Boston I always stop by and drink they're free samples until they kick me out.

Fuck now I want to walk back and get a cup of it to go. But I probably won't have time between dinner and the bruins game.

One thing I've wanted to try is milk in tea. It always seems so weird to me. If I made some teabag quality tea (like lipton or some shit) and put milk in would that do anything?

You're in Boston, man. Hit up Tealuxe for some seriously good stuff. You can even just stop in there for a cup to go.
 

Metalic Sand

who is Emo-Beas?
Love tea so much

AVkpq.jpg


I'm out of space in the kitchen to i keep it on a shelf. Curious to try some of those places in the "advanced" section. Also no teavana listed? They are great!
 

q_q

Member
Everyone should stay away from Teavana simply out of principle. Terrible, terrible company. That being said, I am in love with their Youthberry flavor so I'll be making my own soon.

TEA YOU SAY?

http://c1.soap.com/images/products/p/khr/khr-138c_1z.jpg[/ IMG][/QUOTE]

Yes, he did say tea, not sugar.
 

Toki767

Member
Is there anything in those Japanese/Korean rice tea things besides rice? I'd replace water with that if I knew how to make it.
 

Mgoblue201

Won't stop picking the right nation
As a regular coffee addict (around 12-15 mugs/day), a great tea alternative for me is English or Irish Breakfast with milk and sugar.
How does English breakfast (which I was just drinking, actually) taste with milk? It never occurred to me to try it.
 

Himself

Member
Awesome OT! I almost exclusively drink Harney & Sons. Some of my routine favorites are Japanese Sencha, Paris, Hot Connamon Spice, Paris, Bangkok, and Chamomile Herbal. I also always try to get a random one I haven't tried before because there are so many interesting varieties.

Another good tea company is Tay whe I get most of my Rooibas and herbal teas. Better Than Sex is unbelievable. They also have an intense mint tea, Muse, that I'll drink if I have an upset stomach.

Does anyone else use tea as a remedy or for its other beneficial effects? I got my girlfriend hooked on drinking chamomile just before bedtime to help her fall asleep.

Fucking love tea.
 

Davidion

Member
How much are we talking about producing here? I have two thoughts: get something like this:

The loose leaves should either float or stay below the spigot. Or you could put them in a mesh herb bag. That'll do 3 gallons at a time.

Or, if you need to do less than that, say about 6 cups, you could use a large french press (marketed as 12 cup because of BS coffee terminology).

I'll check out the large french press. Really, I'm looking to do a gallon or two at a time. Do you have any thoughts to good starting leaves proportions?
 

HiResDes

Member
I like The Tea Table's offerings much better than Adagio comparably, and I would specify it as a beginner site....It's also cheaper if you like to buy in bulk.
 

speedpop

Has problems recognising girls
I've become an immense fan of rooibos tea over the past several months. I still love my gyokuro & sencha green tea as well as ol' trusty oolong, but there is something equally warming as having a red rooibos sitting there about to be consumed benevolently.

But my better half came back from staying at her parents house in Singapore and brought back a whole bunch of expensive teas that her father bought but had not touched. Still yet to get stuck in to any of them and I have zero idea what is in store.
 

SmZA

Member
Came in expecting links to that one George Orwell piece.

I'm sensitive to caffeine and stopped drinking tea after noon because it would seriously disrupt my sleep. Lately I've started buying decaf and it's changed my life. To me it tastes just as good as standard teabags from a supermarket and I can now drink it in the evening. But I'm unaware of any fancy, loose-leaf teas that are decaffeinated. Please help me, GAF!
 

Tobe

Member
<3 this is going to be my new home from now on. i decided to start drinking tea at least 4 years ago, never gone back to soda unless it was a special place that didnt had tea.

black tea and cinnamon with cloves are my favorite ones.
 
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