I love this stuff. My local tea shop stopped carrying it though, so i have to settle for the harsher lapsang souchong.
Tea |OT| Oh, tea.
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I love this stuff. My local tea shop stopped carrying it though, so i have to settle for the harsher lapsang souchong.
morningbus
Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
1) My personal preference with anything rooibos is to brew it on the stronger side, so I use 2 teaspoons per 8oz cup of boiled water. Rooibos can be a bit on the weak side, so if you add milk to it, I'd add even more tea to compensate as well.
2) I almost exclusively use honey with all the teas I sweeten. The flavor of honey pairs well with basically everything. I'm a bit of a honey fanatic, though, so your mileage may vary.
3) If you're still in China, then the world of tea is basically at your fingertips. I'd also suggest to try an Oolong, which is another style of tea that is somewhat similar to green tea (I've posted a chart below which goes over the differences between the major types of tea below). Definitely try a Wuyi Oolong (from Fujian province) or just any Oolong you can find.
Caffeine levels can vary, but if we're talking about tea made from a tea plant, then caffeine content typically doesn't exceed 40mg to 50mg per cup. This still falls below the average content of coffee, which, dependent on preparation, can have between 60mg and 120mg of caffeine per cup.
There's been some research into what causes the differences in caffeine content in tea, but for the most part, I don't believe "high quality" tea is necessarily less caffeinated than other types of tea, excepting maybe something like a CTC black tea.
Tell everyone. Play for them the song of our people.
umop_3pisdn
Member
You're right, I think I was thinking of caffeine levels relative to theanine levels, which isn't really relevant. I had it in my head that they had a sort of inverse relationship but that's not actually true, Gyokuro for example contains a lot of theanine, and can have more caffeine than black tea, but I think the method of preparation would influence how much caffeine is actually released since with tea like Gyokuro or white tea I tend to find water a little above 160F to work the best. Theanine can counteract many of the effects of caffeine but it probably wouldn't counteract any diuretic properties that caffeine has.
Finally found the coolest person i've met here in China. My friends told me they went to a tea shop (and said I would love it) - so I went.
Its like some hippie store in the back streets of high end mall.
Downstairs is hippie clothing, upstairs is a tea area. Hippie is the only word I can use to describe it, but I guess its really just sticking to culture, the owner lived in Tibet, Nepal and India.
The woman there is really nice, speaks a little English, has AMAZING tea sets (and pricey too!), and loads of jars full of tea. Most of the things are hand made, I've seen one that I want to save up for, its some sort of stone, possibly marble or a hardened graphite, that represents the soul of the Lotus leaf.
Seeing as I've only recently started getting into the deep tea culture she said she'd be happy to teach me. She does the whole tea ceremony and has a great set on her desk, and at the time the shop next door was renovating so they had all the tea covered and sealed so that the air wouldn't affect it. Felt like such a noob in her presence.
She then told me about coming to learn Tai Chi with her and her 'Master' (sounded so ancient I was like hell yeah!)
He taught her about tea, and he only drinks tea from really really old trees and plants, none of the regular commercial stuff. Can't wait to meet him! That and going there regularly.
They are having a tea party (like a celebration of tea culture) tomorrow and the topic is Black tea, shame I can't go because its really far away!!
Will post pictures as soon as I get the chance, I'm sure you'd love it morningbus.
Its like some hippie store in the back streets of high end mall.
Downstairs is hippie clothing, upstairs is a tea area. Hippie is the only word I can use to describe it, but I guess its really just sticking to culture, the owner lived in Tibet, Nepal and India.
The woman there is really nice, speaks a little English, has AMAZING tea sets (and pricey too!), and loads of jars full of tea. Most of the things are hand made, I've seen one that I want to save up for, its some sort of stone, possibly marble or a hardened graphite, that represents the soul of the Lotus leaf.
Seeing as I've only recently started getting into the deep tea culture she said she'd be happy to teach me. She does the whole tea ceremony and has a great set on her desk, and at the time the shop next door was renovating so they had all the tea covered and sealed so that the air wouldn't affect it. Felt like such a noob in her presence.
She then told me about coming to learn Tai Chi with her and her 'Master' (sounded so ancient I was like hell yeah!)
He taught her about tea, and he only drinks tea from really really old trees and plants, none of the regular commercial stuff. Can't wait to meet him! That and going there regularly.
They are having a tea party (like a celebration of tea culture) tomorrow and the topic is Black tea, shame I can't go because its really far away!!
Will post pictures as soon as I get the chance, I'm sure you'd love it morningbus.
Ixion
Member
I was always a coffee drinker, but my office has six different kinds of tea on hand, so I figured I would give them a shot. This is how I'd rank them...
However, I basically liked all of them except for the Green Tea w/ Pomegranate.
Anywho, has anyone had Pumpkin Spice Tea? I love all things pumpkin, and since I'm getting into tea now, I'd like to give it a try.
However, I basically liked all of them except for the Green Tea w/ Pomegranate.
Anywho, has anyone had Pumpkin Spice Tea? I love all things pumpkin, and since I'm getting into tea now, I'd like to give it a try.
I drink a cup of coffee before work most days, sometimes (like yesterday) I 'think' I need more coffee (due to lack of sleep) and just get major headaches so that's a no-no. I usually just drink tea. What's a good tea that'll keep me awake? I'm also trying to look into some gingseng tea to boost my immune system or something, anyone know anything about it?
Mate. Ton's of tasty suggestions and reccomendations in this thread from morningbus, the high priest of the yerba.
Otherwise, black tea and some high quality green tea actually does have a ton of caffeine in it.
Ginseng is good, but as a supplement. Don't go crazy with it, I wouldn't even necessarily drink it every day unless its for something less general.
The Culture Vulture
Member
Just wanted to recommend the Almond Tea from Adiago. Tastes almost like the almond cookies you get at Chinese restaurants. Good stuff if you like black tea.
http://www.adagio.com/flavors/almond.html?SID=aee70f1c6f3970cd82183dc86e9edc69
Tomorrow I'm heading to Teavana for the first time in a few years. Anyone have any recommendations for there. I have a 30% off promo so I'm looking to restock my supply.
http://www.adagio.com/flavors/almond.html?SID=aee70f1c6f3970cd82183dc86e9edc69
Tomorrow I'm heading to Teavana for the first time in a few years. Anyone have any recommendations for there. I have a 30% off promo so I'm looking to restock my supply.
Train of Midnight
Banned
This my favorite from Adagio: http://www.adagio.com/black/black_dragon_pearls.html?SID=1d6234c75d3e4c6afe53e4123e9b1041
Does anyone know of any Japanese Black Tea? All Adagio has for the most part is from China.
I have the automatic Tea Maker from Adagio and that thing is a godsend. It's well worth the money.
Does anyone know of any Japanese Black Tea? All Adagio has for the most part is from China.
I have the automatic Tea Maker from Adagio and that thing is a godsend. It's well worth the money.
morningbus
Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
I like Earl Grey with a bit of Lavender (Upton). you can also get a double bergamot earl grey from Upton, too, if you like it stronger.
Move quickly: Upton only has 4 lots of 200g Black Ikumi (http://uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?from=catalog.asp&itemID=TJ75).
Japan produces a small amount of black tea as it is and most is used domestically, so it can be hard to find. It isn't cheap from Upton, but it is a nice black tea with a unique taste.
You should try a smoother black. I was shocked at how smooth Golden Monkey was. It'll change how you think about black tea.
Anybody who missed that Got Matcha groupon package from before....it's back!
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-got-matcha-october-bundle
$25 for a whole bunch of matcha and 50% lifetime discount there.
Thirteen hours left!
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-got-matcha-october-bundle
$25 for a whole bunch of matcha and 50% lifetime discount there.
Thirteen hours left!
morningbus
Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
What have you been drinking?
Train of Midnight
Banned
Holy shit thank you
Canis lupus
Member
I miss Turkish tea with simit 
Rooibos all up everywhere.
Dunno why it's a seasonal thing but I only use these in fall-winter:
I like to chew on it after drinking, lets me keep my mouth busy without any cookies or other dangerous substances.
Candeldandel
Member
I miss Turkish tea with simit
Oooh, that looks lovely! What a pretty glass.
I've been rotating mate, Lapsang souchong, earl grey de la creme, and gunpowder green lately.
Is there a type of tea good for replicating the heavy body of coffee? Not necessarily the caffeine levels. I drink mostly tea but some coffee, because sometimes I want something a little heavier-tasting. I have no insurmountable problem with drinking coffee on those occasions but it would be nice to not have to buy a second french press just for coffee.
Hi everybody.
So I bought some matcha tea that was on sale on groupon that thcsquad posted above but I don't really know how to make it. I watched some youtube videos and bought a bamboo whisk off Amazon but I can't get it to froth very well.
I think I might be using too much water maybe; do you use as much water as you would a regular cup of tea with matcha?
So I bought some matcha tea that was on sale on groupon that thcsquad posted above but I don't really know how to make it. I watched some youtube videos and bought a bamboo whisk off Amazon but I can't get it to froth very well.
I think I might be using too much water maybe; do you use as much water as you would a regular cup of tea with matcha?
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
enjoying a nice lightly brewed Pekoe tea with some lemon, mint and homemade cherry jam.
Pu erh is often called the "coffee lovers tea" whatever the hell that means.
I would just go for a strong irish breakfast tea.
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
some more tea I really like.
The Culture Vulture
Member
Pumpkin Chai sounds fantastic
Cameron122
Member
Hey ladies and gents, I wanna stop drinking soda. What would be a good tea to ween me off the devil known as dr. pepper?
I ordered a bunch of tins from Upton Tea a few months ago. I actually bought one of the Rooibos teas (Rote Grütze) for making an iced tea but haven't gotten to prepare it iced yet, only hot. Maybe I'll enjoy it more iced but for now, definitely not into the more fruity taste of it. I got a few other teas that I think are alright, a Black/Green tea called "Midsummer Dream" and a chai, Mélange de Chamonix. Not the best for everyday teas, but I drink them occasionally. Finest Russian Caravan was definitely the best of the batch, definitely great for an everyday tea. I have a crap load of other random chinese Oolong teas that my dad got from an estate sale that are pretty good but the Russian Caravan is a nice blend of oolong and other teas that's just much more enjoyable to drink in the morning.
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
I've been meaning to check out David's Tea now that they have a few shops in NYC. Any other blends you'd recommend?
I'll give Golden Monkey a shot then.
It's about time I reorder a batch of tea leaves. I am starting to notice coffee is messing up my system, so I need to make tea my main form of a wake-me-up for the mornings.
Anyone have any suggestions of what I should try? Green and White have not steered me wrong yet.
And I'm kicking myself for missing that groupon deal. I would have jumped on it in a heartbeat. :-/
Edit: Morning, I'm looking at your flowchart and what "withering" mean exactly? I'm getting closer to perfecting the art of tea making.
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
Sweet Dreams, Strawberry white needle and my favourite their Jasmine butterfly green tea.
I'd recommend you order online because they like to send free samples with each shipment. Well at least they do here in Canada, not sure about in America.
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
I'm almost out of my High Mountain Oolong ; _ ;
I decided to give David's Tea a try. I got the following tea: The winter collection (five separate teas), Pumpkin Chai, Toasted Marshmallow, Butterfly Jasmine (this tea best be amazing, Soccer. 25G for $10 is pricey as fuck), and Organic Strawberry White.
1 tsp=1 cup correct? So, how many tsp should I use to fill up a thermal cup?
1 tsp=1 cup correct? So, how many tsp should I use to fill up a thermal cup?
SoccerGoaliePro
Banned
You're gonna love it trust me.
The way I have my tea is I line the bottom of my kettle loosely with the tea I don't have any specific measurements but it'll probably be better to put a little less since the butterfly Jasmine tea opens up and expands a lot . I then let is steep in one teapot then after 4 min i transfer it into another tea pot . I pour a little bit at a time into my teacups the tea comes out at a perfect temp in my cups while remaining hot in the kettle.
The way I have my tea is I line the bottom of my kettle loosely with the tea I don't have any specific measurements but it'll probably be better to put a little less since the butterfly Jasmine tea opens up and expands a lot . I then let is steep in one teapot then after 4 min i transfer it into another tea pot . I pour a little bit at a time into my teacups the tea comes out at a perfect temp in my cups while remaining hot in the kettle.
Visualante2
Member
Not really tea but I marinaded some ginger in a jar of cheap honey for a few weeks. In an attempt to remake a ginger tea I once had a Chinese restaurant. It didn't have much ginger flavour to it, any ideas on what I can do?
Is your friend.
The tea looks good, but that is one awkward tagline. Essentially 'flavored tea, plus more flavor'.
You're gonna love it trust me.
The way I have my tea is I line the bottom of my kettle loosely with the tea I don't have any specific measurements but it'll probably be better to put a little less since the butterfly Jasmine tea opens up and expands a lot . I then let is steep in one teapot then after 4 min i transfer it into another tea pot . I pour a little bit at a time into my teacups the tea comes out at a perfect temp in my cups while remaining hot in the kettle.
I always have the issue of putting too much leaves into my kettle. And am not a gigantic fan of pouring tea into a cup, I'm a thermal container type of guy.
Needless to say, I am excited as shit to try these teas. I'm hoping they make a good replacement for my coffee addiction.
You got the bamboo whisk and spatula right?
I had similar issues when I started drinking matcha, I use a medium size bowl now, one that would take the whole size of your hand. If thats a good description of it!
You also need to get a bamboo sifter. Once you have that, then use about 3 spatulas and sift it through, this removes all the lumping of the matcha.
Add boiling water thats been left for a couple of minutes (dont do the thing where it says 70degrees because it cools down as u whisk it)
Then whisk it like your beating the hell out of an egg, but gently, that should take a good couple of minutes, I use the 'W' motion, some people prefer the round and cross motion though...use ur wrist and have a loose grip on the whisk.
Hope that helps.
I've always used 1 teaspoon tea leaves for 1 cup of Tea. The black tea I currently drink is like one ball(dragon pearl tea is wrapped up in little balls) equals 1 cup. So I use 4 balls in my 4 cup tea maker. YMMV though because some people like less and some like more. It really comes down to personal taste.
Train of Midnight
Banned
Bought that matcha groupon and it came in and it smells awesome, but now I need a whisk!
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