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?