Vegetal. Yup! Crisp, yeah I see it. Peas? Hmmm. More like green beans, I think. Or maybe edamame? I dunno. Not quite peas. Either way, I quite like it. There was a time this was my fave tea. (err. well, next to Assam which is kinda my forever tea home)
Unfortunately… This is starting to lose flavour. I have a few cups left. I don’t crave straight while teas often, so it takes awhile to get through samples. Maybe I’ll try cold brewing like Ms. Strange mentioned.
Then again, I find that non black teas… They are good to have in my office as our water filter system has a hot water feature, so I can get 90c water anytime (and wait a minute or so for it to cool if I need). So many decisions to make :P
My desk is far enough away from the kitchen area that filling the kettle and waiting for it to boil is a pain, esp since it has no whistle to let me know its done haha. Mine at home beeps.
So all of that said, does anyone know of a black tea that takes milk well, and can be steeped around 90c? I’ve tried it with my regular blacks and they’re “ok” but not as great as I know they usually are, which makes me want to just save it for later. Making it at home and trekking it in is a pain as well since it means I have to lug it on my 15+ min walk from the go train to work. Doesn’t sound like much but that is in addition to my gym gear and lunch. It adds up! Plus I generally don’t have caffeine until after I get off the go train.Cuz naps yo. So it doesn’t make much sense to carry. Anyhow. Sorry for the ramble. Input is welcome!
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black teas and…milk? EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW :)
I’m with you – water at work isn’t really HOT enough for black teas, but I seem to drink them anyway. I find that if I heat the mug first (to keep from loosing even more temp) and then use a little more leaf and steep a little longer I get OK results – not perfect but good enough for work. I don’t normally take my “special” blacks to work but pretty much all China blacks are ok this way. As for the milk thing – don’t listen to Sil – lots of blacks will take milk, but I find the blends are especially suited to it. I’m not sure what you have (or even prefer) but things like A&D Double Knit Blend…..good with milk. I hope that helps….
CTCs generally do well at lower temps and generally also take milk well. Aside from my hoarded stash of Crimson Horizon, Single Origin Teas has an Australian CTC that is pretty good and most of the CTC Assams from Vahdam have been okay in suboptimal conditions. :) I can send some of the Australian your way if you want. I might have some Vahdam lurking around as well. And Paleozoic Peat is better at low temps than at boiling. Also Dawn of Time. Not trying to pimp my own stuff, just thinking of what I have on hand that I can send you some of if you want. :)
@dex don’t tell her not to listen to me! haha but yes, agreed on blends. I just haven’t put milk in my tea since i was uh like 6? so it always seems odd…maybe because my parents used to put a LOOOOT of milk in it, so i equate it with hiding the tea? heh.
@Sil I grew up on it! malty black tea with milk is my comfort morning tea. I crave it enough that no other tea will do sometimes. Has to be malty tho, or else no go. And only Assams or chai. Sometimes Ceylon.
@Dexter I find that some breakfast blends bore me. It seems really hit or miss. Of course some do work really well. Without the extra depth of a malty Assam in the blend, things just don’t add up somehow, but other than that I’m not sure how to choose heh. A&D is good stuff of course. How does Double Knit fare at 90c?
Also yes!! I do the same, heating up my mug first with the water. Thx for the ideas :)
@Nicole wow that is a lot of options. I’ve not tried any of themn. Is there anything I can pick up for you at the tea festival? I have a bunch coming from YS soon (I hope) as well. Swap time! if you’re interested
I really only put milk in Assam teas/blends. They sometimes need it to CALM DOWN!
@Sil – @Indigobloom – I am so sorry – my mistake. of course you should listen to Sil. Sil is amazing and we should all respect her opinion.
@ashmanra, hah. Too true! though I do enjoy a cup of in your face tea now and then
@Dexter Of course she is right. I don’t mind. More milk for me to put in my tea :P
@Indigobloom – swap sounds awesome! And you are talking about the Vancouver tea festival? I’ll see what vendor will be there and I’ll check out your cupboard and PM you. :)
Er… Toronto Tea Festival that is… :)
@dex..thats better cough don’t make me send your box to you….
@Nicole awesome. Looking forward to it :)
@Sil – hehe suddenly glad I haven’t got a box with my name on it at your place :P
IB……or doooo you? haha. I can’t actually remember anymore. I think i’ve got a box for nicole, terri and dexer…and then odds and ends for a few other folks
Sil- probably not. My interest in tea waned for awhile
black teas and…milk? EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW :)
I’m with you – water at work isn’t really HOT enough for black teas, but I seem to drink them anyway. I find that if I heat the mug first (to keep from loosing even more temp) and then use a little more leaf and steep a little longer I get OK results – not perfect but good enough for work. I don’t normally take my “special” blacks to work but pretty much all China blacks are ok this way. As for the milk thing – don’t listen to Sil – lots of blacks will take milk, but I find the blends are especially suited to it. I’m not sure what you have (or even prefer) but things like A&D Double Knit Blend…..good with milk. I hope that helps….
CTCs generally do well at lower temps and generally also take milk well. Aside from my hoarded stash of Crimson Horizon, Single Origin Teas has an Australian CTC that is pretty good and most of the CTC Assams from Vahdam have been okay in suboptimal conditions. :) I can send some of the Australian your way if you want. I might have some Vahdam lurking around as well. And Paleozoic Peat is better at low temps than at boiling. Also Dawn of Time. Not trying to pimp my own stuff, just thinking of what I have on hand that I can send you some of if you want. :)
@dex don’t tell her not to listen to me! haha but yes, agreed on blends. I just haven’t put milk in my tea since i was uh like 6? so it always seems odd…maybe because my parents used to put a LOOOOT of milk in it, so i equate it with hiding the tea? heh.
@Sil I grew up on it! malty black tea with milk is my comfort morning tea. I crave it enough that no other tea will do sometimes. Has to be malty tho, or else no go. And only Assams or chai. Sometimes Ceylon.
@Dexter I find that some breakfast blends bore me. It seems really hit or miss. Of course some do work really well. Without the extra depth of a malty Assam in the blend, things just don’t add up somehow, but other than that I’m not sure how to choose heh. A&D is good stuff of course. How does Double Knit fare at 90c?
Also yes!! I do the same, heating up my mug first with the water. Thx for the ideas :)
@Nicole wow that is a lot of options. I’ve not tried any of themn. Is there anything I can pick up for you at the tea festival? I have a bunch coming from YS soon (I hope) as well. Swap time! if you’re interested
I really only put milk in Assam teas/blends. They sometimes need it to CALM DOWN!
@Sil – @Indigobloom – I am so sorry – my mistake. of course you should listen to Sil. Sil is amazing and we should all respect her opinion.
@ashmanra, hah. Too true! though I do enjoy a cup of in your face tea now and then
@Dexter Of course she is right. I don’t mind. More milk for me to put in my tea :P
@Indigobloom – swap sounds awesome! And you are talking about the Vancouver tea festival? I’ll see what vendor will be there and I’ll check out your cupboard and PM you. :)
Er… Toronto Tea Festival that is… :)
@dex..thats better cough don’t make me send your box to you….
@Nicole awesome. Looking forward to it :)
@Sil – hehe suddenly glad I haven’t got a box with my name on it at your place :P
IB……or doooo you? haha. I can’t actually remember anymore. I think i’ve got a box for nicole, terri and dexer…and then odds and ends for a few other folks
Sil- probably not. My interest in tea waned for awhile