-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Tea |OT| Oh, tea.
- Thread starter morningbus
- Start date
- Status
I received my order from Butiki Teas today. If anyone hasn't heard of them, they're a small business that blends and flavors their own teas. They claim that their tea is high quality and what I have brewed so far I'd have to agree. I'm able to get 3+ steeps out of a serving of tea and the flavor of the tea still remains. I like that you can order small quantities but they are pricey, so if there's a tea you like and want more than an ounce of, it can get expensive.
Also finally tried Mariage Frères and I don't think I have had a better cup of tea. I wish they weren't so expensive, but I'm able to get at most 6 steeps out of a serving which makes the price easier to swallow.
Also finally tried Mariage Frères and I don't think I have had a better cup of tea. I wish they weren't so expensive, but I'm able to get at most 6 steeps out of a serving which makes the price easier to swallow.
$5.50 for a half ounce is ridiculous.
Which is why I said that they are pricey.
So, Christmas tea winnings. No tea for me, which is fine because I have so much right now and need to lower inventory. But my water heating capabilities were greatly increased.
A Bella Electric Glass Kettle. So much faster than the stove. And while it doesn't have variable temperature settings, the fact that it is glass means that you can see the water coming up to a boil and switch it off when you need. I saw a page recently that had pictures of the different stages of water heating and what temperatures they correspond to. I'd like to find that again. Mighty Leaf has a good page, no pictures but very descriptive: http://blog.mightyleaf.com/bubbles-and-steam-boiling-water-for-tea/
As for what I've been enjoying, I've been drinking a lot of JusTea Kenyan Black, Tealuxe Peppermint, Tealuxe Almond Rooibos, Tea Gallerie Reserve Milk Oolong, DavidsTEA Korean Sejak, and this cheap gunpowder tea I got from a Chinese market in Boston. Trying to make some room for some new pickups.
My parents have a history of doing beer and wine blind taste tests, and I'm thinking of duplicating this for tea. Say, you have two types of similar green tea, like comparable senchas from Adagio and David's. One person brews each at the same time, and pours each in a glass marked 'A' or 'B' and writes down what A and B correspond to. The person tastes both and decides which one they like better. When they're done, they ask the other person to reveal which letter corresponds to which tea. You have your winner! It's a little bit harder with hot tea. With beer and wine you just crack open a bottle, but with tea you need multiple brewing vessels similar enough that you're confident they won't affect the outcome. But once you have that covered, scale the process up and down as much as you like. You can easily make mini-tournaments for different tea styles.
Looks like an excellent choice. My extended family has a Christmas draft every year, and my contribution was the 'glass mug+infuser' version of that, black tea and all: http://www.adagio.com/teaware/glass_mug_and_infuser.html
My mother in law drafted it. She's already into looseleaf tea, so it's not going to be a huge change for her, but I think it's an improvement over her current method, which is a teapot with a smaller infuser basket.
As for storing that tea, you generally want to protect it from sunlight and make it as airtight as possible. Ideal are those ceramic suction/fliptop jars that people keep coffee grounds in (ie google 'gevalia kaffe canister') but you can keep them in anything with a lid. Just put your storage container in a cupboard if it's clear.
A Bella Electric Glass Kettle. So much faster than the stove. And while it doesn't have variable temperature settings, the fact that it is glass means that you can see the water coming up to a boil and switch it off when you need. I saw a page recently that had pictures of the different stages of water heating and what temperatures they correspond to. I'd like to find that again. Mighty Leaf has a good page, no pictures but very descriptive: http://blog.mightyleaf.com/bubbles-and-steam-boiling-water-for-tea/
As for what I've been enjoying, I've been drinking a lot of JusTea Kenyan Black, Tealuxe Peppermint, Tealuxe Almond Rooibos, Tea Gallerie Reserve Milk Oolong, DavidsTEA Korean Sejak, and this cheap gunpowder tea I got from a Chinese market in Boston. Trying to make some room for some new pickups.
My parents have a history of doing beer and wine blind taste tests, and I'm thinking of duplicating this for tea. Say, you have two types of similar green tea, like comparable senchas from Adagio and David's. One person brews each at the same time, and pours each in a glass marked 'A' or 'B' and writes down what A and B correspond to. The person tastes both and decides which one they like better. When they're done, they ask the other person to reveal which letter corresponds to which tea. You have your winner! It's a little bit harder with hot tea. With beer and wine you just crack open a bottle, but with tea you need multiple brewing vessels similar enough that you're confident they won't affect the outcome. But once you have that covered, scale the process up and down as much as you like. You can easily make mini-tournaments for different tea styles.
Tea GAF, I am joining the loose leaf brotherhood.
Picked up one of these for Christmas:
I also picked up two 3oz bags of tea: SpecialTea - Persian Lime and Teafolium - Acerola Cherry Seduction.
What is the best way to store the tea after opening the vacuum sealed bags?
Looks like an excellent choice. My extended family has a Christmas draft every year, and my contribution was the 'glass mug+infuser' version of that, black tea and all: http://www.adagio.com/teaware/glass_mug_and_infuser.html
My mother in law drafted it. She's already into looseleaf tea, so it's not going to be a huge change for her, but I think it's an improvement over her current method, which is a teapot with a smaller infuser basket.
As for storing that tea, you generally want to protect it from sunlight and make it as airtight as possible. Ideal are those ceramic suction/fliptop jars that people keep coffee grounds in (ie google 'gevalia kaffe canister') but you can keep them in anything with a lid. Just put your storage container in a cupboard if it's clear.
phantomspiker
Member
Finally got an electric kettle. Also green, black and rooibos tea samplers from adagio.
It's so dead here! Time to get some discussion going, with a question to go along with the record cold and snow sweeping the US this and next week:
What is your favorite kind of tea/tisane for winter? What warms you up when you need five coats just to avoid hypothermia?
I'm going to go with peppermint tea. I don't know why, but I just love it right now. Maybe it just reminds me of candy canes.
The image is huge so I'm just going to link it:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Peppermint-tea_hg.jpg
What is your favorite kind of tea/tisane for winter? What warms you up when you need five coats just to avoid hypothermia?
I'm going to go with peppermint tea. I don't know why, but I just love it right now. Maybe it just reminds me of candy canes.
The image is huge so I'm just going to link it:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Peppermint-tea_hg.jpg
D
Deleted member 12837
Unconfirmed Member
I got a sampler pack of matcha from Adagio for Christmas. I've got a french press and an electric kettle (not variable temp though). What's the best way to prepare this stuff? Do I need a special whisk? I've only prepared bags and loose-leaf tea before.
Auron_Kale
Member
I keep forgetting about this thread but last year (at a convention no less) I was introduced to some tea blends from Adagio. All are loose leaf.
Decided to pick up a sampler tin set and some of the teas that I sampled during the con as they were great. Have bought a few more and finally decided to buy a teapot.
While cleaning it this morning (just got it yesterday), I did something dumb but managed to fix it. So I'm good to go again.
I keep the teas & teapot here at work as it's normally when I have time to drink but I might buy another teapot for home.
Decided to pick up a sampler tin set and some of the teas that I sampled during the con as they were great. Have bought a few more and finally decided to buy a teapot.
While cleaning it this morning (just got it yesterday), I did something dumb but managed to fix it. So I'm good to go again.
I keep the teas & teapot here at work as it's normally when I have time to drink but I might buy another teapot for home.
Picked up some Chrysanthemum today. Its... not as good as when I had it at a restaurant. Its bitter while the one I had at the restaurant was sweet. I hope I just brewed it too long otherwise I just wasted a bunch of tea and money.
I need to get a kettle now that I'm drinking more tea. I've been using the coffee maker for hot water and the tea pot I have is ceramic.
I need to get a kettle now that I'm drinking more tea. I've been using the coffee maker for hot water and the tea pot I have is ceramic.
Train of Midnight
Banned
Hey Bros. I know we poo-poo on Teavana for their shady practices, but who cares it's sale time!
Teavana Heavenly Sale, up to 75% off.
Free shipping on totals over $50
Use Coupon RMN5 $5 Off $35 Sitewide + Free Shipping
or
EMAIL10 (must be in CAPS) takes $10 off $30
Their stock is starting to dwindle, but there's still a ton of tea for $1 per ounce!
Teavana Heavenly Sale, up to 75% off.
Free shipping on totals over $50
Use Coupon RMN5 $5 Off $35 Sitewide + Free Shipping
or
EMAIL10 (must be in CAPS) takes $10 off $30
Their stock is starting to dwindle, but there's still a ton of tea for $1 per ounce!
You don't even have to like their tea; there are a lot of cool-looking teapots on sale as part of this.
Can anyone give me a good suggestion for an electric kettle? It'd be nice if it had temperature settings, but I don't know how much that would add to the cost.
I just received an infuser mug for Christmas, and it's so much better than the ball infuser I was using. I just finished a mug of dragon pearl green tea.
I just received an infuser mug for Christmas, and it's so much better than the ball infuser I was using. I just finished a mug of dragon pearl green tea.
Most people recommend this one, for a reasonable price, and great product (I've not used it myself).
For the absolute cheapest variable temp electric kettle, I would recommend this one. I've used it daily, for several months, and it still works great. It's not incredibly accurate, but it's not bad either; it gets the job done.
If you're willing to spend more for something nice, this one looks great.
It seems nice and luxurious, but the reviews say it has a non-stick coating on the inside, which could be fatal for my bird. I'm glad I noticed that... do all of the mentioned electric kettles have a similar inner coating?
EvilKatarn
Member
This is super amazing. The best tea I've had so far, no competition.
It's really expensive though, so I don't make it often. Here's their site.
Just got this kettle: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KYSLNQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
And a bunch of tea samplers from Upton. While I've enjoyed tea for a long time, I weened myself off using (at one point a ton of) sugar during 2013, and now I feel much more comfortable diving into better teas.
Twenty ForTean, here I come.
And a bunch of tea samplers from Upton. While I've enjoyed tea for a long time, I weened myself off using (at one point a ton of) sugar during 2013, and now I feel much more comfortable diving into better teas.
Twenty ForTean, here I come.
These are great tins and cheap. I've painted some with chalkboard paint so I can write easily what's on each and brewing instruction. Then when the tea is gone, wipe it off and move on to the next.
I use this for my sencha. Other than that I normally use the foil bags that come with the tea i purchase.
Are they airtight?
They're not, so if you don't go through your tea stored in one within a few months your tea will lose it's flavor. I go through tea pretty quickly but I know some people who store their tea in a zip lock bag to keep air out then place it inside a tin.
OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather
Member
I keep forgetting about this thread but last year (at a convention no less) I was introduced to some tea blends from Adagio. All are loose leaf.
Decided to pick up a sampler tin set and some of the teas that I sampled during the con as they were great. Have bought a few more and finally decided to buy a teapot.
While cleaning it this morning (just got it yesterday), I did something dumb but managed to fix it. So I'm good to go again.
I keep the teas & teapot here at work as it's normally when I have time to drink but I might buy another teapot for home.
Whaaat? That thing is fucking cool.
I just watched the video on their site. mindblown.gif Buying one.
phantomspiker
Member
I'm a pretty big fan of Darjeeling black tea right now.
Auron_Kale
Member
It's a really fun teapot though I'll probably buy another pot and an electric kettle for home. This though, it's perfect for keeping at work.
I don't exactly know why but I feel sick after drinking green tea, it has always happened to me I don't know why, even though I've been drinking it for about 3 years.
I feel nauseas, they usually don't last very long but are annoying, once I almost really puked after drinking green tea in the middle of a water-fast I was doing by that time. It also gives me bowel movements.
I'm not allergic to caffeine, so I can drink coffee without feeling nausea (even though coffee also gives me bowel movements).
I feel nauseas, they usually don't last very long but are annoying, once I almost really puked after drinking green tea in the middle of a water-fast I was doing by that time. It also gives me bowel movements.
I'm not allergic to caffeine, so I can drink coffee without feeling nausea (even though coffee also gives me bowel movements).
XT Vengeance
Member
Damn straight.
I like you Jr.
Shrike_Priest
Member
You're not drinking it on an empty stomach, are you ? I get nauseous from green tea if I haven't eaten anything. I don't get bowel movements, though.
Just wanted to let you guys know that Maiko Tea is having a "Thank You Campaign" sale. Many items that usually cost 4050 Yen, now cost just 3000 Yen. There are some pretty good deals (if you like Japanese tea of course): http://www.maiko.ne.jp/english/shopping/thanks.htm
If I drink green tea on an empty stomach I sometimes get nauseous too. My cousin says that green tea gives her a headache (full stomach or no).
If I drink green tea on an empty stomach I sometimes get nauseous too. My cousin says that green tea gives her a headache (full stomach or no).
TheWarrior
Banned
Just got 4 ounces of the Matsuda Sencha
https://www.harney.com/matsuda-s-sencha.html
I'm sipping my first cup and loving life. It was a little pricey but well worth it. I've become a big fan of the Japanese Senchas. Thanks TeaGaf.
https://www.harney.com/matsuda-s-sencha.html
I'm sipping my first cup and loving life. It was a little pricey but well worth it. I've become a big fan of the Japanese Senchas. Thanks TeaGaf.
I received a Kusmi sampler as a gift and I have to say it's the best bagged tea I've ever had. Flavorful and lots of good blends.
Collete
Member
I don't know if you guys ever heard of this place but they're selling a small jar of Matcha for really cheap, I ordered a medium size (since it wasn't too terribly expensive) to give it a shot, but I thought you guys might be interested in it.
http://www.seasonwithspice.com/products/japanese-matcha-powder
http://www.seasonwithspice.com/products/japanese-matcha-powder
Emperor Bohe
Member
what tea do they usually serve at chinese restaurants? I figure that it's either jasmine or oolong, but some verification would be nice.
getting back into the tea game... used to be addicted to the stuff
getting back into the tea game... used to be addicted to the stuff
morningbus
Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
It depends on the place obviously, but oolong is pretty standard in my parts of the world.
morningbus
Serious Sam is a wicked gahbidge series for chowdaheads.
Not a great deal, but it's something:
Harney and Sons: Free Shipping on orders over $30.00
Harney and Sons: Free Shipping on orders over $30.00
Im going to recommend you a few webs that sell top notch tea:
- Ippodo
- Dragonteahouse
- O-cha
- Hoyo tea
Right now im drinking the last gr. I had left of my Silver Needles. Im gonna need to re-stock it ASAP.
Currently waiting the arrival of my Dragonteahouse order: Moonlight white 357gr. pu-ehr cake and Organic Bai Mu Dan King.
PD: maybe someone already explained it, but there is a specific problem with teabags.
Tea leaves need some space to completely extend and unravel so you can get all the flavor out of your tea.
- Ippodo
- Dragonteahouse
- O-cha
- Hoyo tea
Right now im drinking the last gr. I had left of my Silver Needles. Im gonna need to re-stock it ASAP.
Currently waiting the arrival of my Dragonteahouse order: Moonlight white 357gr. pu-ehr cake and Organic Bai Mu Dan King.
PD: maybe someone already explained it, but there is a specific problem with teabags.
Tea leaves need some space to completely extend and unravel so you can get all the flavor out of your tea.
If you love Sencha you totally need to have a look at O-cha's selection, specially the ones they get from Tsuen Tea, the oldest tea house of Japan.
Last month I bought some Asamushi Sencha "Aoi" and Fukamushi "Kaoru" from them and oh boy were they delicious!
- Status