Tea ... who likes it?

[Mastropiero]

I walked into that one!

A little bit, yes, sorry about that, being naughty on a slow day otherwise.

Indeed, Americano is understood here, in Spain, as a rather long cofee. Plenty of water, a diluted espresso, if you will.

I don't care much for it but then I don't care much for watery coffee, hence never ordering coffee in France.

In any case I am very much a tea guy. I am not knowledgeable by any means, but I like to try as many types as I can. Not very fond of overly floral teas, or mixtures with god knows how many scents. Give me a good, flavoured leaf and that's all I need.

For that matter the three weeks we passed in Sri Lanka were pure heaven.

 

[chazt]

A little bit, yes, sorry about that, being naughty on a slow day otherwise.

Indeed, Americano is understood here, in Spain, as a rather long cofee. Plenty of water, a diluted espresso, if you will.

I don't care much for it but then I don't care much for watery coffee, hence never ordering coffee in France.

In any case I am very much a tea guy. I am not knowledgeable by any means, but I like to try as many types as I can. Not very fond of overly floral teas, or mixtures with god knows how many scents. Give me a good, flavoured leaf and that's all I need.

For that matter the three weeks we passed in Sri Lanka were pure heaven.

No worries, I understand good natured fun . We seem to have similar dislike of watery beverages. I like dark, strong beer and stout, red wine and strong (Americano) coffee. As it relates to the point of this thread, I want to start exploring Earl Grey and other dark teas. I am but a tea noob. So much to discover!

 

[Grarea]

No worries, I understand good natured fun . We seem to have similar dislike of watery beverages. I like dark, strong beer and stout, red wine and strong (Americano) coffee. As it relates to the point of this thread, I want to start exploring Earl Grey and other dark teas. I am but a tea noob. So much to discover!

I am the same with my tastes.
I am wondering if i will be needing to alter my mindset for teas.

 

[pjgh]

If it's thick, dark tastes that you're after then you could look to Hojicha (at the lighter end) through to deep, Liu Bao & Puerh which are literally black once brewed and put you quite in mind of gravy! In the middle there's all manner of Yunnan teas that range from Digestive to Soreen in malty flavours. Lapsang Souchong for the smokey notes? For a high-brow punch in the mouth breakfast tea, look at a good Assam, say Bukhial estate.

Type some of those words into the search field at https://www.tea-and-coffee.com/

No affiliation, just that he carries a huge variety of tea at good prices, all of a quality I'd call good from the ones I've had.

 

[Grarea]

Darn, already put an order in.

 

[Rowlers]

Darn, already put an order in.

What did you order?

 

[Grarea]

I went for quite a random range to just kind of give me a starting point.
Gives me something to compare to.
I am starting from scratch, so I need to start somewhere.
Mostly a bit of a random punt based on some things I read on here.

I am mostly trying to focus on stuff I can grow in the future but thought it would be a good idea to try some first.
Also I am thinking of mixing and matching stuff, so think of the non caffeine ones as more like ingredients.

But I also couldn't resist finding out what a decent tea is meant to taste like.

GABA Oolong Tea - interested in the health aspect.
Kenya Matcha Tea
2nd Flush Bukhial
Pu erh Tea
Echinacea
Rooibos
Elderflower
Rosehip
Ginseng
Lemongrass
Hibiscus
Nettle

 

[slapo]

I went for quite a random range to just kind of give me a starting point.
Gives me something to compare to.
I am starting from scratch, so I need to start somewhere.
Mostly a bit of a random punt based on some things I read on here.

I am mostly trying to focus on stuff I can grow in the future but thought it would be a good idea to try some first.
Also I am thinking of mixing and matching stuff, so think of the non caffeine ones as more like ingredients.

But I also couldn't resist finding out what a decent tea is meant to taste like.

GABA Oolong Tea - interested in the health aspect.
Kenya Matcha Tea
2nd Flush Bukhial
Pu erh Tea
Echinacea
Rooibos
Elderflower
Rosehip
Ginseng
Lemongrass
Hibiscus
Nettle

Have you tried them all, or just waiting for delivery?
Either way, that's a nice selection.
If you don't mind a suggestion, some cooking spices , such as black pepper, can be quite nice and can help add some flavour complexity to fruity tasting stuff, such as hibiscus.
You might like linden flower tea, if you pleasantly gentle teas.

 

[Grarea]

Waiting with excitement.
I am ecstatic to receive suggestions, thanks.
OK, nice one, I hadn't thought of pepper.
I think I might have to train myself into gentle teas.
But I am willing to put in the effort.
I am looking forward to finding out.

 

[Rowlers]

Well I have an infuser on the way, now for some tea!

 

[Grarea]

What did you go with?

 

[SammieM]

No worries, I understand good natured fun . We seem to have similar dislike of watery beverages. I like dark, strong beer and stout, red wine and strong (Americano) coffee. As it relates to the point of this thread, I want to start exploring Earl Grey and other dark teas. I am but a tea noob. So much to discover!

If you like dark tea, give puh-er tea a shot. Double fermented and comes in cakes. It is a lovely earthy flavour...

 

[chazt]

If you like dark tea, give puh-er tea a shot. Double fermented and comes in cakes. It is a lovely earthy flavour...

Thanks for the tip. I’ll look for it locally.

 

[Rowlers]

What did you go with?

One of the stainless steel cup inserts. No Tea ordered yet - I have no idea what to go with!

 

[slapo]

One of the stainless steel cup inserts. No Tea ordered yet - I have no idea what to go with!

Mint or chamomile for the win.
This is the peppermint tea I got the last time and have barely made a dent in the bag, even though it's a lovely brew (but I bought 250g):
https://www.teapeople.co.uk/peppermint-tea.html Unavailable on Amazon at the moment.
You can always mix and match - adding e.g. mint to black or green tea can be nice.

Teapigs liquorice and peppermint is quite nice (if you like liquorice, I guess) even when using the bags it comes with, but emptying it into an infuser yields slightly better results, IMO.