MY new tea addiction

[Kimberlina]

So, I never liked tea, really, (well, except iced) until I discoverd chai last winter. I just finished up a tea swap on another board and got so many great teas to try. I even have a Belgian chocolate tea around here somewhere. I have also discovered that I love rooibos, even though it will not stay in my tea infuser. I like it much better than traditional black tea.

Anyone else indulging in high-quality flavored (or not) teas?

[homemaker carol]

I love different flavoured teas. I have a couple that were sent to me. Can't remember the names right now and I'm too tired to run downstairs.

Don't you just love a nice cup of tea though. Such a simple indulgence and yet so enjoyable.

[debbiepittman]

I'm a tea-aholic. I love the herb teas, Tibetan butter tea (po cha), etc. I believe traditional Oriental teas are sold in blocks though not the tea bags or grounds like we have in USA.

Debbie

[Sara]

I was a tea person, but am now a coffee person. Just where I am these days I guess. lol Coffee is a ritual here and it just wouldn't be the same if I switched to tea. :p I suppose I could have my only little stash for when he's at work. :D I have always wanted a beautiful tea chest filled with yummy teas. I guess I could ask for that for my birthday this year. :)

[Kimberlina]

I am drinking a lovely Vanila Chai with a bit of light soy milk and splenda (dieting) right now.

I got that flavor, and lots of other, in that swap I did. And I bought a bunch of flavors prior to the swap to send out. I now have a bunch of new flavors:
-Little Witches Herbal Love Potion
-Chamomile with vanilla/honey
-organic blueberry
-belgian chocolate
-mint chocolate
-lavender
-vanilla rooibos
-oolong
-blueberry rooibos
-chai rooibos
-apricot peach
-pear ginger
-lots of others I can't recall

I'm going to have to be very vigilant with my teeth and start using a whitener!

How do you take your tea? Mine depends on the tea. Chai always with milk and sweetener, others with or without sweetener (honey, ugar, or splenda) depending on how naturally sweet it is.

And Sara, I love coffee, too, but I rarely drink it. I prefer it iced with milk and sugar, but I don't drink it often because 1)I don't really like to drink my calories and 2) I am really vain about my teeth. It is just a treat for me, and I can't stand it black and can barely stand it without milk. I do like the flavor, but it is just too bitter for me without.

[homemaker carol]

So far any tea I drank is w/o sugar or whitener.

We don't drink coffee here. It was something I never liked and dh enjoys tea more than coffee.

Kimerlina, your in tea heaven for sure. Enjoy!!

[Telephus44]

I like both. I need coffee to start my day, and I enjoy a really good cup of specialty coffee in the evening sometimes (especially with a really decadent dessert!) but on some nights I just stay home and read on my couch, and I prefer a hot cup of tea. I far prefer black tea to herbals teas, although I have a selection of both. My favorite is by Tealuxe (www.tealuxe.com) and its called Monk's Blend - it is black tea flavored with vanilla and grenadine. It comes as loose tea - I don't know why, but I really like measuring it out and putting it in my teaball thingie.

[Kimberlina]

You know, a lot of people are raving about that Monk's Blnd. Maybe I'll have to get my hands on some somewhere.

[Darlene]

Kimberly, we are going to have to meet for tea sometime. My son introduced me to Chai tean this past winter and we drink it the same way.:)
I even put one bag into my reg tea when I make sun tea.:)

[Sara]

Kim your teas sound delicious. :) Now that I have my shiny new kettle, I see some tea in my future. lol

[heartathome]

I don't drink much tea unless is it sweet and iced :D But I do like flavored teas like blackberry and raspberry. I never have gotten the hang of brewing hot tea without a tea bag. But I think it would be so cool to use a tea pot and feel elegant and all!

[Kimberlina]

Yes, I saw nice new tea kettle, Sara. You better drink more tea after that great deal!


Darlene- Chai is the best! Did you know that chai is the generic word for "tea" in Arabic-speaking countries, like Egypt, and also in India? I just got some great vanilla chai from Bigelow, and will have to get back up to Wellington's soon to see what other chais they have.

Maybe I should organize a tea swap here, since it seems like there are more tea lovers here than at FV. I just finished my other one, and it only cost me from .37-.49 to mail 3 tea samples to each of 8 people. It was a lot of fun.

[jlxian]

These all sound wonderful! I am mainly a coffee person, but have begun dabbling in the herbal tea section at the grocery store -- which I know has nothing like the teas you are all describing.

Normally I drink tea straight, no sugar -- and either hot or iced, but I guess I prefer iced.

[Kimberlina]

Cheryl- I knew you must be from the south- iced and sweet!! Very southern thing to drink. :)


Jean, most groceries are starting to carry some great teas now, mainly because most mainstream manufacturers are making more flavors now. I found, in WalMart of all places, a rooibos vanilla yesterday. Take a closer look- I bet you'll be surprised by what is there.

[Naderbug]

I've been sick with the cold all week, so I've been drinking lemon tea with honey to try and improve. It's been working so far.

Bright Blessings!
Nada

[Kimberlina]

Yay! It was my lucky weekend!! My cousin from Canada gave her mother a bunch of different teas when she was here last. (Cousin and her boyfriend are big tea drinkers.) My Aunt said she could not possibly drink it all and gave it to my sister. Then my sister gave half of it to me. Yum!! Two new chais, some maple vanilla, some peach, some peach apricot, and a few others. Can't wait to try them!!!!!

[mom2knk]

I have always wanted to try some new teas but I haven't so far. I like hot green tea and I drink ice tea a lot in the summer but that is pretty much it for me. All these teas sound really good.....I need to experiment a little!:)

[Edna_E]

I like many kinds of teas. This started my freshman year in college when I discovered a neat little shop in Claremont Village (CA) that had a broad variety of loose teas that you could buy by the pound. This was the first I'd seen of teas being available in small quantities. I started experimenting, and still do, and have passed on the interest to my now-college-age son - his current favorite is Scottish Breakfast. I'm currently on a persian tea kick.

[Darlene]

Anyone try Twinings Four Red Fruits tea? Haven't found it in our markets here but read somewhere that it's a nice tea.

[Edna_E]

I don't know why, but I really like measuring it out and putting it in my teaball thingie.

I think there is something very satisfying in such rituals. I am not an uptight person at all, but used to make a point of setting my coffee table with a tray, cloth, sugar bowl, plate of cookies, teapot, and cup and saucer. I would do this whenever life felt out of control - and after about a 10 minute tea break, I'd feel able to deal with whatever. Maybe it convinced me that civilization is a viable concept.