Loose leaf tea
Discussion
I really like the Teapigs website - informative without being patronising / w
ky - and from what I've tried of the tea it's good too. I particularly like the Teapigs 'mix n match' sample packs, so you can try new genres of tea without committing to a whole box of something you may not like.
Personally I'm an Oolong / Pu Erh fan, so I get my tea from Jing.com
Good tea is expensive, but the better the quality, the more times it can be infused and the more intense and complex the flavour. Whole, unbroken leaves are good. Tea sold in UK supermarkets is mostly 'fannings' - ie. dust.
I brew tea in the 'gong fu' style, in a 250ml glass teapot. When it's reached the right strength, I pour it straight out into the cup. That way, it doesn't stew, and good-quality leaves can be re-infused at least twice. Eight times in the case of aged Pu Erh.
Discover great tea and you'll never go back to coffee. Tea is gently reviving without that "Nggggaaaarggh!" caffeine rush.
ky - and from what I've tried of the tea it's good too. I particularly like the Teapigs 'mix n match' sample packs, so you can try new genres of tea without committing to a whole box of something you may not like.Personally I'm an Oolong / Pu Erh fan, so I get my tea from Jing.com
Good tea is expensive, but the better the quality, the more times it can be infused and the more intense and complex the flavour. Whole, unbroken leaves are good. Tea sold in UK supermarkets is mostly 'fannings' - ie. dust.
I brew tea in the 'gong fu' style, in a 250ml glass teapot. When it's reached the right strength, I pour it straight out into the cup. That way, it doesn't stew, and good-quality leaves can be re-infused at least twice. Eight times in the case of aged Pu Erh.
Discover great tea and you'll never go back to coffee. Tea is gently reviving without that "Nggggaaaarggh!" caffeine rush.
have a look at Tea Horse, I did some photography for them a short while ago.. it looks like an interesting concept, Different samples to taste every month.
http://teahorse.co.uk/
http://teahorse.co.uk/
As mentioned above Oolong (Wu Long Cha) is lovely tea, though we've generally bought it back from China and not bought it here so no idea if it's the same bought here. It probably is. Halfway between a green tea and standard black tea.
Russian caravan tea (chinese blend) - a very tasty tea, fairly intense but sweet and not bitter at all. Always been a favourite with everyone in my family.
Ku Ding cha (made mostly from holly leaves) - intense and slightly bitter green tea. It's different and supposed to have all sorts of health benefits.
Mo Li Hua Cha - Jasmine tea - The best jasmine tea, exotic and sweet and floral and very tasty.
Russian caravan tea (chinese blend) - a very tasty tea, fairly intense but sweet and not bitter at all. Always been a favourite with everyone in my family.
Ku Ding cha (made mostly from holly leaves) - intense and slightly bitter green tea. It's different and supposed to have all sorts of health benefits.
Mo Li Hua Cha - Jasmine tea - The best jasmine tea, exotic and sweet and floral and very tasty.
DuncanM said:
Thing is, I still rate tea as my favourite drink (tied with red wine) so I guess I better start doing it properly at some point 
.
Same here. I'm trying to drink less red wine, and only tea has the complexity of flavour I enjoy so much in wine..A useful starter to quality tea if you're coming from "builder's" is Jing.com Yunnan Gold. Perfect with a ginger biscuit.
reefer said:
Taylors of Harrogate loose leaf Earl Grey, 33yrs never wanted to change, glass tea pot, aaahhh bliss.
A glass teapot is a must I think. I have lots of teapots, but the one I use for 'serious' tea is this one.I even have a spare in the cupboard in case I accidentally smash it.
Down South tap water is very hard, so I use Waitrose 'Stretton Hills' mineral water for the clearest result.
Obsessive? Moi?
reefer said:
I am on my second now,and they are better ! I cant figure out why though ?
I think because you can see the tea brewing to the strength you like, plus it shows off the lovely colours.I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
Mobile Chicane said:
I think because you can see the tea brewing to the strength you like, plus it shows off the lovely colours.
I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
I've been trying to cut down on coffee, drink far too much of the stuff, so I'll have a punt at one of the sample packs with glass teapot and cup.I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
One question though - unless I'm looking in the wrong place all the teas seem to be in 10 gram bags.
You mentioned that they can be re-infused a couple of times or so but how much tea in grams would you put in the teapot for a couple of cups?
Porkbrain said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I think because you can see the tea brewing to the strength you like, plus it shows off the lovely colours.
I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
I've been trying to cut down on coffee, drink far too much of the stuff, so I'll have a punt at one of the sample packs with glass teapot and cup.I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
One question though - unless I'm looking in the wrong place all the teas seem to be in 10 gram bags.
You mentioned that they can be re-infused a couple of times or so but how much tea in grams would you put in the teapot for a couple of cups?
Porkbrain said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I think because you can see the tea brewing to the strength you like, plus it shows off the lovely colours.
I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
I've been trying to cut down on coffee, drink far too much of the stuff, so I'll have a punt at one of the sample packs with glass teapot and cup.I drink quite a lot of 'flowering tea', and it's fascinating to watch this come to life in the pot like a little alien.
One question though - unless I'm looking in the wrong place all the teas seem to be in 10 gram bags.
You mentioned that they can be re-infused a couple of times or so but how much tea in grams would you put in the teapot for a couple of cups?
Follow the directions on the packet. All Jing.com teas have these.
Typically a 10g Jing.com sample pack will contain enough for 3 brewings - each of which can be infused at least twice.
No, I don't work for them, and other tea purveyors are available.
Mobile Chicane said:
Depends on the tea. The quantity to use, and the temperature at which to brew it is an art.
Follow the directions on the packet. All Jing.com teas have these.
Typically a 10g Jing.com sample pack will contain enough for 3 brewings - each of which can be infused at least twice.
No, I don't work for them, and other tea purveyors are available.
Thanks for that - as a non tea drinker I had no idea of all the different types & methods of brewing etc.Follow the directions on the packet. All Jing.com teas have these.
Typically a 10g Jing.com sample pack will contain enough for 3 brewings - each of which can be infused at least twice.
No, I don't work for them, and other tea purveyors are available.
I shall definitely be ordering some sample packs, and like GarryA, I will have to get the small glass teapot.
Get 'into' tea and you'll be wanting one of these next:
Green / white teas want water at 80C, oolong at 90C. 90C is supposedly also the optimal temperature for instant coffee.
£55 is a lot of money to pay for a kettle, but I think it's worth it. Works brilliantly, and it looks great too.
Of course you'll want the matching toaster as well...
Before you know it, the exploration of a humble drink has ended up costing you £100s
Green / white teas want water at 80C, oolong at 90C. 90C is supposedly also the optimal temperature for instant coffee.
£55 is a lot of money to pay for a kettle, but I think it's worth it. Works brilliantly, and it looks great too.
Of course you'll want the matching toaster as well...
Before you know it, the exploration of a humble drink has ended up costing you £100s
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