Random thoughts... snippets of life in rural New England
Published on April 18, 2006 By HC1240 In Misc
I've been a hard core coffee drinker my entire life... the stronger the better. I had tried tea a few times, but just never really enjoyed it. It seemed to lack... something.

I decided over the past couple of weeks that I'd like to try to drink tea. It's better for you... and it will be cheaper in the long run because I always end up buying Dunkin Donuts coffee (coffee I make at home can't compare), but with tea, I don't have a taste for an expensive one... so making it at home will be fine.

I was talking about it at a Bible Study last week and decided that if I put a splash of skim milk in it, maybe I'd enjoy it more. I guess it's a strict New England thing that you don't put cream in your tea, but if I like it that way... then why not?

I went to my sister-in-law's over the weekend (she's from Scotland) and she made tea. It was incredible!!! I asked her what kind it was and she said, "Tetley". I'm like... regular old tea? She said yes. I asked her how she makes it and I got a lesson on the fine art of making British tea She boils the water in a kettle, then pours the hot water over tea bags in her teaPOT. She lets it steep for five minutes, and then voila... you just pour it out of the teapot, no need to drain the bags or anything (they won't pour down the spout of the teapot). I decided to try it.

I drank tea all day on Easter and LOVED it. Totally loved it! Joel's discovered he really likes it too. I think we have a winner!

Joel brought in the mail Monday and said, "Did you order tea online??" There was a package from "The National Tea Council" addressed to me. I didn't, so I was very curious myself. The package was filled with all these different kinds of tea bags! My friend had put together a collection of all of her favorite teas! She had written on each baggie how she drinks them ("This one's best with just sugar"... "Good with milk"...) and a sweet little note telling me that she loves coffee, but that there's just something about a soothing cup of tea in the afternoon that can't compare to anything else. She's on vacation, so wouldn't be at Bible Study this week, but wanted to get me started on my tea drinking adventure. Wasn't that sweet? After hearing me talk about tea the week before she went out and created a tea smorgasboard for me! I couldn't believe it.... it was way cool.

So far my favorite is one that didn't come in a package... it had cinnamon, cloves, and not sure what else... and another that I really loved was "almond and fruit" by Bigelow. I'm good with plain old tea too, though (which is much cheaper)... so I'd say this change is going to stick. I'm even thinking of knitting a teapot cozy... to keep my teapot warm (it makes two cups at a time).

Do you all drink tea? Do you have any favorites?

Comments
on Apr 18, 2006

I go through bouts of drinking tea, then I stop for awhile...

I like all kinds, but vanilla caramel is my favorite.  I've never put cream in tea before but maybe that is what's missing?  I'll have to try it.

 

on Apr 18, 2006
Actually, the best way to steep tea is to use water that is slightly less than boiling temperature.

Or, for ice tea drinkers, sun tea!
on Apr 18, 2006
I guess it's a strict New England thing that you don't put cream in your tea, but if I like it that way... then why not?


That's funny--I grew up in New England and never heard that you don't put cream in tea until a few weeks ago when one of my English friends informed me, "Every proper British mummy will tell you that tea and cream mustn't be combined." I say, if you like it that way, drink it that way!

Best of luck on your tea adventure.
on Apr 18, 2006
I use to drink tea, but no more (since I gave up caffeine).  My WIfe Drinks Earl Grey tho.  And yes, I always knew that you dont boil th bags, you boil the water then pour over the bags. Boiling the bags brings out too much of the acid.
on Apr 19, 2006
I love tea, but I grew up with it having an English mother. She likes the nonflavored kinds, but I love the flavored black loose teas. Loose tea is so much better than tea bags; has tons of more flavor. If you like cinnamon, Bigelow has a cinnamon stick flavor that is good. I bought some tea in Hawaii last month while on vacation, and liked it so much I order it online at Hitea.com. (Hawaiian Islands Tea Company). My two favorite flavors are Pineapple Waikiki, and Passion Fruit Na Pali, and they are pretty potent for being tea bags. Oh, and that was very sweet of your friend to do that for you!
on Apr 19, 2006
Peppermint is my fav and I love cream or milk in mine. In Jamaica most people don't put milk or cream in theirs. When you drink the 'bush' type teas, you can't put milk or cream in it or it curdles!

I'm a tea lover myself, but I do enjoy a latte or two sometimes.
on Apr 21, 2006
I love tea, but I grew up with it having an English mother. She likes the nonflavored kinds, but I love the flavored black loose teas. Loose tea is so much better than tea bags; has tons of more flavor. If you like cinnamon, Bigelow has a cinnamon stick flavor that is good. I bought some tea in Hawaii last month while on vacation, and liked it so much I order it online at Hitea.com. (Hawaiian Islands Tea Company). My two favorite flavors are Pineapple Waikiki, and Passion Fruit Na Pali, and they are pretty potent for being tea bags. Oh, and that was very sweet of your friend to do that for you!


I'll have to try these... thanks!

I've enjoyed reading what you all like in regards to tea. Thanks for sharing!
on Apr 23, 2006
you've gone tea-crazy
on Apr 28, 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR HEATHER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HC!!!

(((((((((((((((H)))))))))))))))))

on Apr 29, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR HEATHER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HC!!!

(((((((((((((((H)))))))))))))))))

AHA!  Busted!  29 again!  I am going to tell Forever!

on Apr 29, 2006
well just so you know Mr. Guy it's really the 28th. I typed up her little birthday ditty on the wrong side of midnight.

on Apr 29, 2006
Happy Birthday.

I enjoy a nice cup of tea. I never cared much for the flavored ones, but I do like to try various herbal teas as some of them are pretty good. Mint tea is an excellent way to sooth an upset stomach.
on Apr 29, 2006

Happy Birthday HC!

Love ya!

on May 01, 2006
Heather you didn't tell us it was your birthday! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!! I hope your day was fun and relaxing!

What date is it? I'm not sure. Would you like to be added to JU's birthday club?

Thx for the heads up Doc!
on Oct 19, 2006
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