For the past 2 weeks, I've been drinking tea, lots of tea. I've been drinking Stash organic Earl Gray Black and many of their others... I have noticed at Whole Foods there is almost an entire aisle dedicated to tea but haven't really looked over all the teas...
Can good tea be found locally? Or does it have to be bought online? I ordered the Adagio loose leaf kit that came with some different teas for me to try and I really enjoyed that, but I just don't see myself ordering tea online. I'll be much more inclined to purchase it locally here in Tulsa OK.
Is there a specific brand folks would recommend that I could purchase in a store like Whole Foods (which is an organic healthy store)? I'm really interested in exploring all different kinds right now... Oh and this may be a severe no-no, but I have an electric kettle that I fill up turn on and it gets the water near boiling... I then pour the water in a mug over the tea-bag and let it steep for about 5 minutes (the bag says 3-5 minutes). So if this is a tea-foul, please let me know. I'd like to know the proper way or better way to go about it if there is one.
Thanks!
Re: New To Tea
"The proper way" is what tastes good to you. If you like it at 5 mins, then that is the proper way. And boiling is good for most black, which I assume is mostly what you are consuming? Many use electric kettles to boil, I know I do, that's fine.
The better stuff, yes, is usually online. Unless you happen to search out and find a local tea shop. But if supermarket stuff is all that is around, then maybe look for Rishi. Or any loose leaf.
Oh and welcome to the forum!
The better stuff, yes, is usually online. Unless you happen to search out and find a local tea shop. But if supermarket stuff is all that is around, then maybe look for Rishi. Or any loose leaf.
Oh and welcome to the forum!
Re: New To Tea
Thanks Victoria! I'm sure I'll order some stuff online to try as I'm really interested in trying different ones... So we'll see...
BTW, has anyone mentioned how overwhelming this tea stuff is? Sweet Fancy Moses there's a lot of teas out there!
I don't even know where to start!
BTW, has anyone mentioned how overwhelming this tea stuff is? Sweet Fancy Moses there's a lot of teas out there!
I don't even know where to start!
Jan 14th, '10, 12:37
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bsteele
Re: New To Tea
Welcome!
If you aren't too opposed to buying some tea online, I'd go for the samplers on Adagio.
Or if you are buying in the store, try something from each of the major tea groups: black, green, and oolong. I'd recommend not getting anything flavored (citrus green, earl grey, whatever) just so you can become acquainted with each type of tea first.
If you aren't too opposed to buying some tea online, I'd go for the samplers on Adagio.
Or if you are buying in the store, try something from each of the major tea groups: black, green, and oolong. I'd recommend not getting anything flavored (citrus green, earl grey, whatever) just so you can become acquainted with each type of tea first.
Last edited by bsteele on Jan 14th, '10, 12:48, edited 5 times in total.
Re: New To Tea
Right! As bsteele says, try sample packs until you can narrow down your interest. But loose leaf all the way, you are cheating yourself otherwise.
What do you like best so far?
What do you like best so far?
Re: New To Tea
I've been drinking a lot of Earl Gray Black... But for a long time I've been making pitchers of Ice Green Tea, which I love.
So far with all the teas I've tried, there's not one that I do not like. I like a robust flavor that's for sure. And I'm very open to recommendations. I do like the idea of trying unflavored teas so I can get an idea of what appeals to me. A sampler pack sounds like a good idea!
So far with all the teas I've tried, there's not one that I do not like. I like a robust flavor that's for sure. And I'm very open to recommendations. I do like the idea of trying unflavored teas so I can get an idea of what appeals to me. A sampler pack sounds like a good idea!
Jan 14th, '10, 13:29
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bsteele
Re: New To Tea
Love earl grey, too. MmmmmCyclist wrote:I've been drinking a lot of Earl Gray Black... But for a long time I've been making pitchers of Ice Green Tea, which I love.
So far with all the teas I've tried, there's not one that I do not like. I like a robust flavor that's for sure. And I'm very open to recommendations. I do like the idea of trying unflavored teas so I can get an idea of what appeals to me. A sampler pack sounds like a good idea!
So yeah, nothing wrong with flavored teas, but there's nothing like tasting 5 different black teas from different regions and being able to taste what makes each one unique.
If you like a robust flavor, I'd recommend an Assam or something from China. I'm a sucker for Yunnan Gold. *drool*
Of course, there are more places than Adagio to get black tea.
Jan 14th, '10, 14:11
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Re: New To Tea
Welcome to TeaChat, Cyclist ... is that the kind you pedal?
Many newbies to tea tend to eh hem, overbuy when starting out and end up with a lot of teas they have quickly moved away from ... be prepared for your tastes to change quickly. But it is all fun!
Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!
Many newbies to tea tend to eh hem, overbuy when starting out and end up with a lot of teas they have quickly moved away from ... be prepared for your tastes to change quickly. But it is all fun!
Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!
Re: New To Tea
Yes, it's the kind you pedal. I'm an avid roadie and race for a team as well.Chip wrote:Welcome to TeaChat, Cyclist ... is that the kind you pedal?
Many newbies to tea tend to eh hem, overbuy when starting out and end up with a lot of teas they have quickly moved away from ... be prepared for your tastes to change quickly. But it is all fun!
Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!
That's good advice about overbuying... Thanks!
Jan 14th, '10, 14:31
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Re: New To Tea
You are welcome!
I am a roadie as well! Raced some, love time trials currently. I recently decided the younger guys bounce off the ground much better than I do. I am still very competitive, just am not so keen anymore on lining up at starting lines with kids half my age especially in flatter crits. Give me the hills and mountains! Woohoo ...
I am a roadie as well! Raced some, love time trials currently. I recently decided the younger guys bounce off the ground much better than I do. I am still very competitive, just am not so keen anymore on lining up at starting lines with kids half my age especially in flatter crits. Give me the hills and mountains! Woohoo ...
Re: New To Tea
Chip wrote:You are welcome!
I am a roadie as well! Raced some, love time trials currently. I recently decided the younger guys bounce off the ground much better than I do. I am still very competitive, just am not so keen anymore on lining up at starting lines with kids half my age especially in flatter crits. Give me the hills and mountains! Woohoo ...
Haha, I hear ya! I've done a few crits and will do more this year... So far I've been spared, but I know it's only a matter of time.
And I do love a long road race with mountains/hills as well. Did a couple of centuries last year... one was really hilly and the other was really, really flat (Hotter than Hell in Wichita Falls TX). I love those rides.
Re: New To Tea
So, I just got back from Whole Foods and spent $30 on tea. I can't wait to try it!
I got some White tea, some Earl Gray (of course) and a box that has all these samples in it.
I think I need to browse around other than the forum here, because there is no place that really explains what infusing means, or basic tea stuff... Seems like everyone has been doing this forever and I'm waaaaaay overwhelmed. I don't even know where to start. So, I'm just buying tea and drinking it.
But I'd really benefit from something basic about tea, somewhere...
I got some White tea, some Earl Gray (of course) and a box that has all these samples in it.
I think I need to browse around other than the forum here, because there is no place that really explains what infusing means, or basic tea stuff... Seems like everyone has been doing this forever and I'm waaaaaay overwhelmed. I don't even know where to start. So, I'm just buying tea and drinking it.
But I'd really benefit from something basic about tea, somewhere... Jan 15th, '10, 17:01
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Re: New To Tea
Ask away...try not to ask too many questions at once. There is an advanced search feature that will help you search the forum.
BTW, Infusion = steep, infusing = steeping.
So take a deep breath, each bike ride begins with a single pedal stroke.
BTW, Infusion = steep, infusing = steeping.
So take a deep breath, each bike ride begins with a single pedal stroke.
Re: New To Tea
Hello out there...I am new to tea and was wondering whether anybody can point me in the right direction to finding a high quality green tea (I rather drink that in the morning rather than coffee) and any good literature out there to get myself acquainted with an over all introduction to tea. Thanks! Hope to hear from somebody!