English Teas

Justin91 · Nov 19, 2009

OK, when I am not sipping on a glass of merlot, I like to drink a hot cup of tea just before bed. Especially when the cold weather approaches, I turn to the hot tea for relaxation I will grab me a teabag and microwave a cup of water and steep the bag until dark, sweeten it and drink it.

I know nothing about English teas. I have read where there are some you drink with milk, some not. Some are better than others. Can some of you broaden my knowledge a bit on what is a good tea?

There are a couple of international food stores that I frequent that has a large selection of teas from all over the world, but I know nothing about how to prepare a fresh cup properly.

Someone take me to school on this subject!

Shakesbear · Nov 19, 2009

You might find this site http://www.tea.co.uk/ useful. The About Tea section has lots of information about tea.

Mr Flibble · Nov 19, 2009

You microwave it!?!?

Heathen!

*faints in Britishness shock*

What you call English tea ( what we often call ceylon tea) is almost always drunk with milk ( although hot with a dash of lemon in nice in the summer).

Did you want actual English brand names?

Justin91 · Nov 19, 2009

Shakesbear said:
You might find this site http://www.tea.co.uk/ useful. The About Tea section has lots of information about tea.

great Website! Thanks.

Justin91 · Nov 19, 2009

IdiotsRUs said:
You microwave it!?!?

Heathen!

*faints in Britishness shock*

What you call English tea ( what we often call ceylon tea) is almost always drunk with milk ( although hot with a dash of lemon in nice in the summer).

Did you want actual English brand names?

I thought I would shock some of you with the microwave...it is quick and easy...

Yes, I would definately like to have some English brand names that you enjoy!

Fenika · Nov 19, 2009

Get thee an electric tea kettle and a coffee press (stow the press itself in a random shelf if you don't buy looseleaf). Much easier, and THEN you can nuke the leftovers later. (feels the heathen shame for admitting this)

Also, stay away from black teas before bed. And prolly green teas. Try a few herbal teas (you can buy mixed packs if you want) to find what you like. I don't like Chamomile BUT I do like some Chamomile blends. I also LOVE red tea, which is technically herbal. (Rooibos)

Numi and Revolution are two state-side brands I like, btw.

Regan Leigh · Nov 19, 2009

Fenika said:
Also, stay away from black teas before bed. And prolly green teas. Try a few herbal teas (you can buy mixed packs if you want) to find what you like. I don't like Chamomile BUT I do like some Chamomile blends. I also LOVE red tea, which is technically herbal. (Rooibos)

Numi and Revolution are two state-side brands I like, btw.

I don't drink coffee, so black teas fuel my late night writing.

I like the Twinings Black Vanilla tea.

I'm a huge fan of Yerba Matte Latte by Republica of Tea. Rooibos is also wonderful.

Fenika · Nov 19, 2009

Oh, yes, Republic of Tea is nice and has some loffly blends.

Snowstorm · Nov 19, 2009

Taylors of Harrogate is fantastic tea. I'm hooked on the Assam.

Justin91 · Nov 20, 2009

Wow! Thanks for the suggestions!

What would everyone suggest as a low cafeine tea for bedtime? I think the generic american tea is making me toss and turn a little too much late at night...

Shakesbear · Nov 20, 2009

You can buy caffeine free tea... well you can this side of the Pond.

Regan Leigh · Nov 20, 2009

Green tea usually has very little caffeine. I think White tea has the least.

I LOVE Republica of Tea Vanilla Coconut and it's White.

Sharon Mock · Nov 20, 2009

White tea has almost no caffeine, but it still has the compounds that give good tea its relaxing "tea-drunk" effect.

Green tea has about 1/3 the caffeine of black, IIRC, and more flavor than white.

(Technically, neither tea nor yerba mate have caffeine--they have related compounds--and different caffeinoids affect some people in different ways. For example, my husband can't use yerba mate to defend against a caffeine-withdrawal headache.)

Priene · Nov 20, 2009

The key to decent tea is boiling water (and a decent tea bag, of course). I find it best to pour the water at boiling point from a height. You probably should remove children and animals from the vicinity first. Microwaving is OK for reheating a slightly cooled cup, but not while the bag is still in there.

Fenika · Nov 20, 2009

Keep in mind that decaf tea can still have a lot of caf.

Plus it's abused, and you can't abuse tea leaves.

Try the white as someone suggested, and/or try some herbals to see what you fancy. Red has more antioxidants than green, but no caffeine at all.

Shakesbear · Nov 21, 2009

Use a good tea pot. Warm it up first by putting in very hot water. Take the pot to the kettle. Leave the tea to brew.

Choice of tea leaves or tea bag bag is personal - I prefer leaves.

waylander · Nov 21, 2009

And add milk to the tea, not the other way about.
Another vote for Taylors of Harrogate

Justin91 · Nov 22, 2009

Thanks for the advice folks, I am going to buy an assortment this week!

Woof · Nov 24, 2009

Justin91 said:
Wow! Thanks for the suggestions!

What would everyone suggest as a low cafeine tea for bedtime? I think the generic american tea is making me toss and turn a little too much late at night...

There are a number of caffeine-free herbal teas available that have a calming effect and help treat insomnia. Among them are chamomile or chamomile blended with other herbs such as peppermint, passion flower, valerian root, licorice root and strawberry leaf.

Also, about green tea--for some people it has a calming effect, for others it's a stimulant, so I would be cautious about taking it at bedtime. But there's no doubt that green tea is a powerful antioxidant -- white tea even more so. Drinking at least three cups daily of either of these teas helps to maintain good health.

Thump · Nov 24, 2009

Get thee an electric kettle. Nuking is just not the same

I like Prince of Wales and Lady Grey. Rooibos is LOVERLY! Orange pekoe is alright IMO.
Numi makes some nice teas too, I really like their Honeybush tea.

Oh and, if you want to have tea British style, that's what's called English Breakfast tea in North America with a bit of milk and _no_ sugar

I used to like only very sweet tea but now I can't drink EB tea with sugar >_< It's just..wrong...somehow

Aaaah, now I want tea

tjwriter · Nov 24, 2009

There's a local new age shop that has a blend they call Not Nelly. It has chamomile and catnip among other things and I find it very relaxing.

You can order online. http://www.earthscomforts.com/

Their Black and Blue blend smells wonderful, but requires a little milk or half-n-half, IMHO.

I also admit to nuking my water to get it hot. I'm always pressed for time anyway.

Justin91 · Nov 24, 2009

I think I am going to get a teapot for Christmas!

I have made a list of tea's that everyone has suggested. I am shopping tonight or tomorow for Thanksgiving.. I can not wait to try these out!

Justin91 · Nov 24, 2009

Woof said:
Also, about green tea--for some people it has a calming effect, for others it's a stimulant, so I would be cautious about taking it at bedtime. .

Green tea is very much a stimulant to me! I can only drink it in the morning time.

Paul · Nov 24, 2009

waylander said:
And add milk to the tea, not the other way about.

Interesting
You realise you could be opening up a Gulliver's Travels situation with that statement?

Shakesbear · Nov 24, 2009

Paul said:
Interesting
You realise you could be opening up a Gulliver's Travels situation with that statement?

LOL!!! Let us settle this amicably - add Scotch instead of milk! And you have to do that after the tea has cooled down a tad ...

English Teas

Justin91

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Justin91

Justin91

Fenika

Regan Leigh

Insomniac Writer

Fenika

Snowstorm

Baby plot bunneh sniffs out a clue

Justin91

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

Regan Leigh

Insomniac Writer

Sharon Mock

Wing nut

Priene

Out to lunch

Fenika

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

waylander

Who's going for a beer?

Justin91

Woof

Outward Hound

Thump

defying grabbity

tjwriter

Emerging Anew

Justin91

Justin91

Paul

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw