Tea

[houltmac]

This is 100% self indulgence, so I will make it brief and follow up if necessary. If anyone is interested in talking about tea, knows anything about it, wants to "get into" it then let me know. I am just starting and would enjoy the conversation with any of you.

Thanks, and back to the show!

[notabadname]

Not too smart on the Tea thing, although I enjoy it a great deal. We have a very cool Tea store in our Mall, with every type of Tea and brewing method I could conceive of. The place always smells awesome. And I can imagine the relaxation that comes simply from the process of making a nice cup. I can see the "ritual" of making the brew is equally as interesting and integral to a good cup as the tea itself. At the same time I am interested in Expresso, and am in the market for a new maker. My old one of 12 years just doesn't put out the pressure to make a good cup any more. So I certainly understand an indulgence in that ages-old steeped favorite of tea as well. I will be watching this link with interest.

[houltmac]

Thanks for the input! I agree that it's as much about the preparation as it is about the tea. There is a lot of anticipation involved, but it's almost a meditation at the same time. Perhaps I am reading too many books by Buddhists at the moment?

I wish we had a tea store at our local mall. All we have is a nasty Starbucks ripoff and worse, a Starbucks. I'm not so good with coffee - I just like it strong, black and sweet. That's part of the reason for changing to tea. I haven't had a coffee since xmas eve and I feel so much better.

I am writing more and more about tea on my blog. I am new to it so it's not like it's preaching either. Everyone probably knows as much as me at the moment. I am eager to learn though and am getting through texts like the internet is about to die. If you are interested in talking to a novice about tea then feel free to join that conversation also.

[philbowell]

I do drink tea, but I'm more into my Coffee. Got an Espresso machine, but I wanna get a new slightly posher one, and I"m looking into grinding my own beans etc. as well as other ways of brewing coffee.

[houltmac]

I do love coffee but it was just getting me down. For the last 8 years I have survived on nervous energy and got so used to it that it was taking 15-20 large mugs of double-strength black to get through the day. I don't want to be that reliant, or that nervous. That's why I switched to tea.

Tea is supposed to be better for you (depending what reports you believe) but it just doesn't have the buzz of coffee. It has a buzz of sorts, but it's more of a refreshing, calming thing. Perhaps it's the zen roots or something. Maybe it's the caffeine difference? Maybe it's antioxidants? It's probably mostly psychological but if it works it has to be a good thing.

Oh, and just to clear it up - I did also try decaf but that's just rancid.

[philbowell]

Wow! That's a lot of coffee. I never have more than 3 cups in a day. Usually limited to 2 in the morning and then a cup or two of tea (PG) in the afternoon. If I can I like it to be proper coffee every time. Sadly work are all philistines and don't like anything other than instant. Bleugh!

It's interesting that you find tea so relaxing, I do as well, especially a cup in the evening. I imagine it is to do with the caffeine levels. Whilst tea technically has more caffeine in it, the amount in a cup is tiny compared to coffee. Not sure how it works but something to do with the amount of tea needed to make a cup when compared to coffee. I'd also suggest there is a psychological aspect. I saw an article recently looking at the impact a shot of espresso has on people. More effect on men compared to women, but a decaf version only had slightly less impact than "full fat" suggesting it's something associated with drinking coffee rather than the coffee itself.

[Opus]

Read your blog on your journey through different cuts of tea. It will be interesting to read your experiences along the way. I enjoy tea but I am a novice at best. Being from the deep south Black cut sweet iced tea is a staple beverage. However even though it is a basic staple the taste can widely very from the brand, brewing and even the water used in the process. As for hot tea I enjoy Twinings Earl Grey. I site the brad only for reference due to the many blend now offered in Earl Grey. I also enjoy hot Green tea when dining at a local Japanese restaurant.

An Item on my wish list I hope to one day check off is to experience a basic Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu) in Seiza-style. This is as you comment more about the preparation and experience, but it intrigues me.

Enjoy your journey.