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[The Angel Raliel]

(should be in Earl Grey Matters)

Use freshly drawn water, freshly boiled. It must not be reboiled.

· Use the correct-sized teapot. To heat, pour some of the water, just before boiling, into the pot. Swirl and empty away.

· Use orthodox, good-quality leaf tea. Grades such as Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) or BOP Fannings are popular. Indian Assam second-flush is thick, soft-liquoring and malty, and Cleon Dimbula is a good standard for a flavoury tea. Use one spoonful per person and one for the pot. most tea bags are simply not of a good enough standard.

· Fill the pot and stir gently for a few moments. Infuse for five minutes. Use a timer to get this right.

· Put room-temperature whole milk into the cup first. Use about one and a half tablespoonfuls. Do not use skimmed milk. this can be a bone of contention as some circles insist that the milk be added after the tea to the cup.....

· To ensure that the leaves do not get into the cup, pour tea through a proper tea strainer. Fill the cup to 1cm from the rim.

· After the first pouring, add extra hot water to the teapot, so as to continue drawing further flavour and strength from the leaves.

· Always discard cold tea at the bottom of the cup before a second pouring.

· Even if the tea has been brewing for 10 minutes, orthodox leaf tea will not become too strong or bitter.

· Use a tea cosy.

on sugar.....
proper white sugar lumps or fine white sugar from a sugar bowl should be used....never brown sugar, honey should only be used to sweeten black tea(no milk) or herbal infusions

[Alyss]

[slyvia k]

ew milk
i mean, it's probably good but... the thought sort of grosses me out 

[Tiervexx]

That sounds worth trying...  When I drink tea I make unsweetened green tea because of the health benefits though I'm sure there are tastier concoctions.

The best tea I ever had by far was "fusion" from a place called "Fusion Brew" which was within walking distance of my college but they closed down after my freshman year.  It had milk and enough other stuff in there so that I have not a clue how to reproduce it.  It was amazing...  That was more than 4 years ago and I still feel the withdraw.

I think they moved somewhere but I have no idea where.  I did a google search for them but I don't think the business that came up is the same place.

[Alyss]

-Fuck tea leaves
-Fuck teapots
-Fuck not using any sugar to hand

[.]

Really strong hot black tea with half a teaspoon of muscavado sugar. Nom.
Though I prefer black filter coffee with one sugar or a shot of whiskey. Nommer.

[Indja]

DON'T STIR THE FUCKER!!

Srsly, stirring releases the tannins in the leaf that make the tea taste harsh - and no matter what the quality of tea, it shouldn't be left mashing for more than five minutes or the same happens. If you want it stronger, use more leaves.

And I know the Earl Grey matters was a joke, but don't ever, ever put milk in Earl Grey, you put lemon in Earl Grey.

Adding milk before the tea is a sign of pretentiousness, of misplaced and desperate snobbery. The practise came about because the upper classes used to have such fine china that putting hot tea in straight away would cause the china to crack. These days, as most people use far stronger crockery to drink tea, it's simply not necessary. Adding milk afterwards is also simply easier - it means you can judge the colour of the tea and make sure you put the correct amount of milk in.

[.]

DON'T STIR THE FUCKER!!

Srsly, stirring releases the tannins in the leaf that make the tea taste harsh - and no matter what the quality of tea, it shouldn't be left mashing for more than five minutes or the same happens. If you want it stronger, use more leaves.

And I know the Earl Grey matters was a joke, but don't ever, ever put milk in Earl Grey, you put lemon in Earl Grey.

Adding milk before the tea is a sign of pretentiousness, of misplaced and desperate snobbery. The practise came about because the upper classes used to have such fine china that putting hot tea in straight away would cause the china to crack. These days, as most people use far stronger crockery to drink tea, it's simply not necessary. Adding milk afterwards is also simply easier - it means you can judge the colour of the tea and make sure you put the correct amount of milk in.

Trufax.

[Alyss]

DON'T STIR THE FUCKER!!

Srsly, stirring releases the tannins in the leaf that make the tea taste harsh - and no matter what the quality of tea, it shouldn't be left mashing for more than five minutes or the same happens. If you want it stronger, use more leaves.

And I know the Earl Grey matters was a joke, but don't ever, ever put milk in Earl Grey, you put lemon in Earl Grey.

Adding milk before the tea is a sign of pretentiousness, of misplaced and desperate snobbery. The practise came about because the upper classes used to have such fine china that putting hot tea in straight away would cause the china to crack. These days, as most people use far stronger crockery to drink tea, it's simply not necessary. Adding milk afterwards is also simply easier - it means you can judge the colour of the tea and make sure you put the correct amount of milk in.

-Fuck not putting milk in Earl Grey.

[Indja]

Obviously I'm just saying this is The Right Way to do it, not that everyone should conform to it - but on the milk-in-Earl-Grey matter, apart from anything else, it tastes real gross.

[Haushinka]

One of the most heartwarming encounters of my trip was meeting a lovely man named Hua Feng in Hohhot, Northern China. The town is not frequented by tourists (there was one business hotel, no english speakers) and I soon found that the chinese value accidental friends. As a result of me being there despite the complete and apparent lack of a tourist industry, I met many really friendly and welcoming people.

Hua Feng ran a tea shop in the gorgeous old town and was so taken by the fact I bought a tiny amount of tea and wanted to take a photo that he invinted me and my new chinese friends to stay there for 3 hours drinking the most delicious green tea I've ever experienced. He invited us back for more the next day, which we gladly accepted.

If this tea was available in bars I would drink it habitually.
The loose tea leaves are rinsed with boiling water in a thin glass teapot.
They are rinsed a second time and the water is used to rinse all the teacups and decanter.
Boiling water is added to the teapot, brewed for 30 seconds then poured into the glass decaner and distributed to tiny teacups from there. This allows the tea to be a perfect drinking temperature by the time it reaches your lips.

This process can be repeated up to fifty time with the same tea (if it is of a good quality)
Green tea should be served alone and drunk with family.

[The Angel Raliel]

green tea and most chinese methods of drinking tea outdate and far surpass the traditional english ways.... I was merely highlighting the best way to drink tea the english way............Personally i would far rather a return to Chocolate Houses and Coffee Rooms......far more 18th Century

[Alyss]

^Fuck that.

[The Angel Raliel]

if you have never tried chocolate made with hot port, you have not lived......
by the way... truly regret slagging off the avatar project.... it is proving to be a truly interesting browse through otherwise unknown artists

[Alyss]

if you have never tried chocolate made with hot port, you have not lived......

I could say the same about sticking a fong prong into your cock, but hey...

[The Angel Raliel]

If jabbing your sensitive bits turns you on then carry on........... however, properly made chocolate is true bliss, without the blisters

[Tiervexx]

If jabbing your sensitive bits turns you on then carry on........... however, properly made chocolate is true bliss, without the blisters

Yeah... personally I'd prefer the chocolate

[caddy]

the correct way to drink tea is with a little bit of rum.



and yes cream.  yes honey.  anybody who says otherwise is uncouth.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I drink my tea raw. Ain't puttin' no suga, or milk, or nothin' in this mutha fuckin' concoction. It's all natural, organic fo me! I did have it with milk and sugar once, it tasted really wrong. It tasted good, but not real. It was fake. I have an entire cupboard filled with all sorts of tea. I used to have this really awesome jasmine tea from China. It was a small ball, then you drop it into hot water and you watch it bloom in the pot. It was SO cool and it was hella fuckin' good. Oh and also, I have this tea imported from Japan. This shit is so good. It's got green tea leaves, obvi, and some brown fuckin' rice. YO! This shit is good! Come over to my house, urrbody, we'll have a mad fuckin' tea party. Wear a fuckin' costume bitch or you can't get inside. And leave yo nasty shoes outside my house, or at least wipe them before coming in and leave 'em on the fuckin' mat. Don't you dare try moving them off the matt, if I see one fuckin' shoe on the mother fuckin' floor, oh shit, you best run.

[The Angel Raliel]

Tea, Caddy should NEVER be made with cream! you colonials and your strange habits.......although tea and spirits are quite often drunk as "restoratives" and I thoroughly approve

[Haushinka]

I drink my tea raw. Ain't puttin' no suga, or milk, or nothin' in this mutha fuckin' concoction. It's all natural, organic fo me! I did have it with milk and sugar once, it tasted really wrong. It tasted good, but not real. It was fake. I have an entire cupboard filled with all sorts of tea. I used to have this really awesome jasmine tea from China. It was a small ball, then you drop it into hot water and you watch it bloom in the pot. It was SO cool and it was hella fuckin' good. Oh and also, I have this tea imported from Japan. This shit is so good. It's got green tea leaves, obvi, and some brown fuckin' rice. YO! This shit is good! Come over to my house, urrbody, we'll have a mad fuckin' tea party. Wear a fuckin' costume bitch or you can't get inside. And leave yo nasty shoes outside my house, or at least wipe them before coming in and leave 'em on the fuckin' mat. Don't you dare try moving them off the matt, if I see one fuckin' shoe on the mother fuckin' floor, oh shit, you best run.

I ain't got no shoes in the firs' place!

[Indja]

green tea and most chinese methods of drinking tea outdate and far surpass the traditional english ways.... I was merely highlighting the best way to drink tea the english way............Personally i would far rather a return to Chocolate Houses and Coffee Rooms......far more 18th Century

Also, we were talking about black tea, yesno? But I would loooove to try some of that them there Chinese shit. Sounds nifty.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I drink my tea raw. Ain't puttin' no suga, or milk, or nothin' in this mutha fuckin' concoction. It's all natural, organic fo me! I did have it with milk and sugar once, it tasted really wrong. It tasted good, but not real. It was fake. I have an entire cupboard filled with all sorts of tea. I used to have this really awesome jasmine tea from China. It was a small ball, then you drop it into hot water and you watch it bloom in the pot. It was SO cool and it was hella fuckin' good. Oh and also, I have this tea imported from Japan. This shit is so good. It's got green tea leaves, obvi, and some brown fuckin' rice. YO! This shit is good! Come over to my house, urrbody, we'll have a mad fuckin' tea party. Wear a fuckin' costume bitch or you can't get inside. And leave yo nasty shoes outside my house, or at least wipe them before coming in and leave 'em on the fuckin' mat. Don't you dare try moving them off the matt, if I see one fuckin' shoe on the mother fuckin' floor, oh shit, you best run.

I ain't got no shoes in the firs' place!

whoo-hoo! You can come inside.

[Alyss]

I'm never inviting any of you to afternoon tea.

[Indja]

I'm never inviting any of you to afternoon tea.

'cept me, obv.

[Tiervexx]

That sounds worth trying...  When I drink tea I make unsweetened green tea because of the health benefits though I'm sure there are tastier concoctions.

The best tea I ever had by far was "fusion" from a place called "Fusion Brew" which was within walking distance of my college but they closed down after my freshman year.  It had milk and enough other stuff in there so that I have not a clue how to reproduce it.  It was amazing...  That was more than 4 years ago and I still feel the withdraw.

I think they moved somewhere but I have no idea where.  I did a google search for them but I don't think the business that came up is the same place.

UPDATE through some googling I got in contact with someone who directed me towards a place called "St. Louis Bubble Tea" who makes something they called "Royal Milk Tea" which is basically the same as fusion.  It's great!

I can't quite tell what's in it but I think it contains black tea, milk, and some sort of sweetener but I can't tell what.

[CeeGBee]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Anyhoo, I am quite taken with the "Thai Iced Tea" served at resteraunts specializing in that cuisine.
I have found recipes on tha webbz, but none quite captures the taste I enjoy when dining out.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

[Tiervexx]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

How to make the tea itself? I bet you its not that hard. People nowadays usually use powder mixtures that you can buy directly from the store. Boil some water, add water, mix, add ice, then the tapioca and youre set. To make the tapioca, you buy the balls which come off as these small hard balls. Put them in boiling water and put the lid on. After a few minutes they enlarge and poof, like magic, you have your tapioca balls and you can put as much as you want because those assholes are too lazy to keep making more so they give you little bits.

Or you use real tea and just add sugar or syrup.

[Alyss]

I'm never inviting any of you to afternoon tea.

'cept me, obv.

well obv

[turtle club]

[/quote]

That sounds worth trying...  When I drink tea I make unsweetened green tea because of the health benefits though I'm sure there are tastier concoctions.

apparently, you only get health benefits from green tea if you drink all of the water, and you actually eat most of the tea leaves too.
dunno how true that is

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

That sounds worth trying...  When I drink tea I make unsweetened green tea because of the health benefits though I'm sure there are tastier concoctions.

apparently, you only get health benefits from green tea if you drink all of the water, and you actually eat most of the tea leaves too.
dunno how true that is
[/quote]

You're supposed to eat the leaves? What the fuck? I try never swallowing the leaves. Sometimes I do, I can't help it, I'm only human after all. It's not like I have a strainer built in my mouth. Though, that would be cool.

I'm going to research this.

[turtle club]

That sounds worth trying...  When I drink tea I make unsweetened green tea because of the health benefits though I'm sure there are tastier concoctions.

apparently, you only get health benefits from green tea if you drink all of the water, and you actually eat most of the tea leaves too.
dunno how true that is

You're supposed to eat the leaves? What the fuck? I try never swallowing the leaves. Sometimes I do, I can't help it, I'm only human after all. It's not like I have a strainer built in my mouth. Though, that would be cool.

I'm going to research this.
[/quote]

yep. well i don't think it's the only way to get the health benefits, but it's a good way.
 quote found here; http://www.bouldertea.com/health_brew.html

Another way to get the full health benefits from your tea is to eat the leaves.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Why can't cannabis be like this? Water soluble.

[Agonistes]

you can make cannabis tea....

[Indja]

You can, but it takes fucking aaaages to work and the high's not that great.


Back on Tea tea as opposed to "tea" tea, I bought myself a packet of Ceylon tea today, and it was damn tasty. Crisp and fresh ^.^

[Niels]

The Correct Way to drink tea:

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

you can make cannabis tea....

Oh yes I know. But it's the fat that extracts the THC faster. Water. Pfft. Water's for losers.

[yosmark]

[Agonistes]

you can make cannabis tea....

Oh yes I know. But it's the fat that extracts the THC faster. Water. Pfft. Water's for losers.

oh, i'm just sayin.  i don't even like a water pipe.  but, one thing is for certain; you roll much, much better than me.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

you can make cannabis tea....

Oh yes I know. But it's the fat that extracts the THC faster. Water. Pfft. Water's for losers.

oh, i'm just sayin.  i don't even like a water pipe.  but, one thing is for certain; you roll much, much better than me.

Thank-you. I've been meaning to make cannabutter. Okay, we really need to stop making this into the marijuana thread, back to drinking tea! I have chocolate mint tea in my cupboard and I freaking love it.

[Tiervexx]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

How to make the tea itself? I bet you its not that hard. People nowadays usually use powder mixtures that you can buy directly from the store. Boil some water, add water, mix, add ice, then the tapioca and youre set. To make the tapioca, you buy the balls which come off as these small hard balls. Put them in boiling water and put the lid on. After a few minutes they enlarge and poof, like magic, you have your tapioca balls and you can put as much as you want because those assholes are too lazy to keep making more so they give you little bits.

Or you use real tea and just add sugar or syrup.

The tea I'm talking about does not have the little bubbles in it.

...I have a general idea of what's in it.  It's milk, tea (I think it's black) and some sort of sweetener but that's not good enough... I need the exact recipe because it's perfect!

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

How to make the tea itself? I bet you its not that hard. People nowadays usually use powder mixtures that you can buy directly from the store. Boil some water, add water, mix, add ice, then the tapioca and youre set. To make the tapioca, you buy the balls which come off as these small hard balls. Put them in boiling water and put the lid on. After a few minutes they enlarge and poof, like magic, you have your tapioca balls and you can put as much as you want because those assholes are too lazy to keep making more so they give you little bits.

Or you use real tea and just add sugar or syrup.

The tea I'm talking about does not have the little bubbles in it.

...I have a general idea of what's in it.  It's milk, tea (I think it's black) and some sort of sweetener but that's not good enough... I need the exact recipe because it's perfect!

So it's actually a tea? Like something that can be brewed and whatnot? None of that Asian enterprise bullshit.

[Tiervexx]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

How to make the tea itself? I bet you its not that hard. People nowadays usually use powder mixtures that you can buy directly from the store. Boil some water, add water, mix, add ice, then the tapioca and youre set. To make the tapioca, you buy the balls which come off as these small hard balls. Put them in boiling water and put the lid on. After a few minutes they enlarge and poof, like magic, you have your tapioca balls and you can put as much as you want because those assholes are too lazy to keep making more so they give you little bits.

Or you use real tea and just add sugar or syrup.

The tea I'm talking about does not have the little bubbles in it.

...I have a general idea of what's in it.  It's milk, tea (I think it's black) and some sort of sweetener but that's not good enough... I need the exact recipe because it's perfect!

So it's actually a tea? Like something that can be brewed and whatnot? None of that Asian enterprise bullshit.

I think so... but I am guessing based on how it tastes.  I am hardly an expert on teas which is why I could use someone like you (or probably many of you on the box) to help me analyze it.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Isn't "bubble tea" just tea with tapioca in it?

Yeppers. And they even have different flavours and consistency. So theres tea, brewed and whatnot, then theres shakes, and whatnot and so on and so forth. I spent most of my young Asian years drinking it. Still do.

the place I'm talking about has like a hundred different drinks.  Many don't have the big "bubbles" that can be drank with the enlarged straw.  My Royal tea does not.

I need someone like you to try their Royal tea so you can use your secret Asian knowledge to tell me how to make it!

How to make the tea itself? I bet you its not that hard. People nowadays usually use powder mixtures that you can buy directly from the store. Boil some water, add water, mix, add ice, then the tapioca and youre set. To make the tapioca, you buy the balls which come off as these small hard balls. Put them in boiling water and put the lid on. After a few minutes they enlarge and poof, like magic, you have your tapioca balls and you can put as much as you want because those assholes are too lazy to keep making more so they give you little bits.

Or you use real tea and just add sugar or syrup.

The tea I'm talking about does not have the little bubbles in it.

...I have a general idea of what's in it.  It's milk, tea (I think it's black) and some sort of sweetener but that's not good enough... I need the exact recipe because it's perfect!

So it's actually a tea? Like something that can be brewed and whatnot? None of that Asian enterprise bullshit.

I think so... but I am guessing based on how it tastes.  I am hardly an expert on teas which is why I could use someone like you (or probably many of you on the box) to help me analyze it.

I'm not an expert either but have spent a lot of my young years at bubble tea shops and at Pacific Mall aka ASIANVILLE where there was a bubble tea shop at every fucking corner. Pacific Mall was built to look like a futuristic neighbourhood, they actually have street names. So when I say corner, I mean corner of Sesame street and Ting Tang avenue. I dunno, I'm just making shit up.

Now explain the texture/taste/smell/colour to me in very meticulous detail.

[Tiervexx]

I'm not an expert either but have spent a lot of my young years at bubble tea shops and at Pacific Mall aka ASIANVILLE where there was a bubble tea shop at every fucking corner. Pacific Mall was built to look like a futuristic neighbourhood, they actually have street names. So when I say corner, I mean corner of Sesame street and Ting Tang avenue. I dunno, I'm just making shit up.

Now explain the texture/taste/smell/colour to me in very meticulous detail.

It does not have a very strong smell and I really don't know how to describe much of the other details but I'll try:

It was a light brown/tan color.

It had a very smooth texture.  No lumps/bubbles or anything in it.

Taste was kind of like what I think black tea would taste like with a bit of milk in it and some sort of sweetener... MAYBE honey or even an artificial sweetener.  It's really hard for me to place.

Though I guessed black tea I suppose it could be green or something else as well.  Or some sort of blend.  I really don't know.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Have you tried asking the people what the ingredients are?

Ps. The sweetener is probably soy milk, and I don't mean the grocery store crap, I mean the real shit that you would buy a chinese super market.

[Tiervexx]

Have you tried asking the people what the ingredients are?

Ps. The sweetener is probably soy milk, and I don't mean the grocery store crap, I mean the real shit that you would buy a chinese super market.

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

[Tiervexx]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

I learned something.  Would be interesting if it was just soy milk and tea...

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

I learned something.  Would be interesting if it was just soy milk and tea...

Yep. Try it. Make sure to go to an authentic chinese supermaket at your closest china town.

[Tiervexx]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

I learned something.  Would be interesting if it was just soy milk and tea...

Yep. Try it. Make sure to go to an authentic chinese supermaket at your closest china town.

There is an asia super market just across the street from this place (probably not a coincidence).

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

I learned something.  Would be interesting if it was just soy milk and tea...

Yep. Try it. Make sure to go to an authentic chinese supermaket at your closest china town.

There is an asia super market just across the street from this place (probably not a coincidence).

And they always sell great teas.

[Johnny]

not faggy?

[Tiervexx]

not faggy?

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

^HUh?

[Andy Pants]

With your mouth.

The one on your face.

 

[Haushinka]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

I learned something.  Would be interesting if it was just soy milk and tea...

Yep. Try it. Make sure to go to an authentic chinese supermaket at your closest china town.

Buy Lactasoy if you can find it, the Thai version. The UNSWEETENED version is delicious, the Blue carton? It's like crack. I''m going to post a photo which indicates my horrible horrible addiction to stuff later.

[Alyss]

not faggy?

[Haushinka]

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.tinypic.com/zn36ok.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">[/url]

Addiction is a horrible thing.

[yosmark]

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.tinypic.com/zn36ok.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">[/url]

Addiction is a horrible thing.

OMFGZ

We need to talk about that addiction.

How much time did it take you to fill that trash bin?

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Naw man, we gotta talk about the earth. Did you recycle those?

[Haushinka]

< 24 hours.

I was in Thailand at the time and they have NO recycling facilities. I was disgusted, but there's nothing I could do.

The bin men are on strike in edinburgh at the moment, which means everyone is going into a frenzy over their smely rubbish bins on the street. Me? Compost bin & coloured boxes all the way.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

The bin men are on strike in edinburgh at the moment, which means everyone is going into a frenzy over their smely rubbish bins on the street. Me? Compost bin & coloured boxes all the way.

O EM GEE! SAME HERE!!!!!

[Haushinka]

It's been a week now and if you walk past the big tenement bins your stomach turns... some silly tourists wrote to the edinburgh evening news saying they had come here to see the REAL edinburgh, not some stinking shithole. They demanded that the council (for the sake of the TOURISTS?! PAH!) get their act together and clean the place. Silly, silly, uneducated fools.
You're in AULD REEKIE now!

[CeeGBee]

[British persons are free to ignore this question]


Anyone wish to share thoughts on iced tea?

I've discovered, perhaps shockingly, that Target's house-brand tea makes an excellent
cup of iced tea, four small bags to a 1.5 gallon pitcher of cool water and let it steep for...
...well, 'til it's ready...

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

[British persons are free to ignore this question]


Anyone wish to share thoughts on iced tea?

I've discovered, perhaps shockingly, that Target's house-brand tea makes an excellent
cup of iced tea, four small bags to a 1.5 gallon pitcher of cool water and let it steep for...
...well, 'til it's ready...

Charlie! You're from the South, right? My friend is from there too and he made the best iced tea that has ever touched my lips. Do you know how to make it cuz I don't. He was telling me the ingredients and directions but I couldn't follow. Something about Lipton Iced Tea, brewed, then chilled. Is this right? Then you add a fuckload amount of sugar and ice?


P to the S. The strike has been in order since the first week of June and it is now the third week of July....and I can't go to work becuase the place I work is owned by the city of toronto and therefore .... okay fuckit, I wont go into detail. I just can't go to work because of the strike.

[Haushinka]

I actually quite like Iced tea... but not that HORRIBLE stuff they serve in the south. *BOKE*

[slyvia k]

iced tea!
i always drink liters of that stuff when i'm in the states! no sugar and free refills FTW

here iced tea is only the commercial kind, in cans,  sweet as hell, artificial flavours, doesn't even taste like tea.

so i make my own at home   mmm mint iced tea!

[Shanneeen]

well i live in the south.. so it's all as sweet as it can be haha if you ask for tea anywhere here you'd better say unsweetened if you don't want loads of sugar in your drink

[CeeGBee]

Charlie! You're from the South, right? My friend is from there too and he made the best iced tea that has ever touched my lips. Do you know how to make it cuz I don't. He was telling me the ingredients and directions but I couldn't follow. Something about Lipton Iced Tea, brewed, then chilled. Is this right? Then you add a fuckload amount of sugar and ice? 

I put the tea (bags are easier) in cool water and let 'em steep for some time; that requires less
ice than if you actually brew the tea with boiled water. 

well i live in the south.. so it's all as sweet as it can be haha if you ask for tea anywhere here you'd better say unsweetened if you don't want loads of sugar in your drink

What she said....  If I order it at a fast-food joint, I usually ask for half-and-half (sweet/unsweetened),
and the result is usually safe to drink.

I put sugar in my iced tea, but I know people who use tea to moisten their cup of sugar...  srsly.

Out of deference to decent folks like Miss Haushinka, I don't sweeten the whole pitcher/pot/jar,
but again, a lot of people sugar the crap out of the whole batch.

A couple of options you could play with to suit your own taste, beyond sugar content:
-fresh mint : add some and let it steep with the (cooled/cold) tea for a bit
-lemon : yes or no...
-assorted other fruit/juice...  a couple of fresh raspberries add a nice flavour, or orange, lime...
-honey?  sure, why not?

Other ideas?

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Charlie! You're from the South, right? My friend is from there too and he made the best iced tea that has ever touched my lips. Do you know how to make it cuz I don't. He was telling me the ingredients and directions but I couldn't follow. Something about Lipton Iced Tea, brewed, then chilled. Is this right? Then you add a fuckload amount of sugar and ice? 

I put the tea (bags are easier) in cool water and let 'em steep for some time; that requires less
ice than if you actually brew the tea with boiled water.

What kind of tea? Normal black lipton tea bags right? then I place them in cool water and let it steep for a bit. Take out the bags, and add some sugar/honey and serve with ice and lemon slices?

[Tiervexx]

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i31.tinypic.com/zn36ok.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic">[/url]

Addiction is a horrible thing.

wow... I'll have to try the stuff If I find it.

[CeeGBee]

Charlie! You're from the South, right? My friend is from there too and he made the best iced tea that has ever touched my lips. Do you know how to make it cuz I don't. He was telling me the ingredients and directions but I couldn't follow. Something about Lipton Iced Tea, brewed, then chilled. Is this right? Then you add a fuckload amount of sugar and ice? 

I put the tea (bags are easier) in cool water and let 'em steep for some time; that requires less
ice than if you actually brew the tea with boiled water.

What kind of tea? Normal black lipton tea bags right? then I place them in cool water and let it steep for a bit. Take out the bags, and add some sugar/honey and serve with ice and lemon slices?

That's about it....

Lipton's fine, Tetley's Ok...  Honestly, I've been using the Target-store house brand
("Market Select", about $3 for 100 regular-size individually-wrapped tea bags), and
it's entirely acceptable.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Charlie! You're from the South, right? My friend is from there too and he made the best iced tea that has ever touched my lips. Do you know how to make it cuz I don't. He was telling me the ingredients and directions but I couldn't follow. Something about Lipton Iced Tea, brewed, then chilled. Is this right? Then you add a fuckload amount of sugar and ice? 

I put the tea (bags are easier) in cool water and let 'em steep for some time; that requires less
ice than if you actually brew the tea with boiled water.

What kind of tea? Normal black lipton tea bags right? then I place them in cool water and let it steep for a bit. Take out the bags, and add some sugar/honey and serve with ice and lemon slices?

That's about it....

Lipton's fine, Tetley's Ok...  Honestly, I've been using the Target-store house brand
("Market Select", about $3 for 100 regular-size individually-wrapped tea bags), and
it's entirely acceptable.

So I live in Canada and we don't have that. But thanks anyway. Unless you don't mind sending me a package through the mail.


I'm SO excited to try it!

[CeeGBee]

Lipton's fine, Tetley's Ok...  Honestly, I've been using the Target-store house brand
("Market Select", about $3 for 100 regular-size individually-wrapped tea bags), and
it's entirely acceptable.

So I live in Canada and we don't have that. But thanks anyway. Unless you don't mind sending me a package through the mail.


I'm SO excited to try it!

As nearly as I can tell, iced tea is not the domain of tea snobs...
Try whatever brand of black tea you can find cheap, or splurge on Lipton.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

Lipton's fine, Tetley's Ok...  Honestly, I've been using the Target-store house brand
("Market Select", about $3 for 100 regular-size individually-wrapped tea bags), and
it's entirely acceptable.

So I live in Canada and we don't have that. But thanks anyway. Unless you don't mind sending me a package through the mail.


I'm SO excited to try it!

As nearly as I can tell, iced tea is not the domain of tea snobs...
Try whatever brand of black tea you can find cheap, or splurge on Lipton.

I had Japanese iced tea once. I was not very fond of it, then again I was only 7, so my tastebuds were not mature.

Then I went over to a friend's house who made Southern iced tea and I downed all 7 glasses of it.

[Haushinka]

What exactly do they use to sweeten that fountain sweet tea? I genuinely felt nauseous after attempting to enjoy it a couple of times. It doesn't even taste of tea, just.... sweetness.


I did like the hi5 pink lemonade that came out of the same fountain. There's definitely a market for that here.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

What exactly do they use to sweeten that fountain sweet tea? I genuinely felt nauseous after attempting to enjoy it a couple of times. It doesn't even taste of tea, just.... sweetness.


I did like the hi5 pink lemonade that came out of the same fountain. There's definitely a market for that here.

We were discussing REAL iced tea. Not the fountain crap. Thats probably why you felt sick.

[CeeGBee]

What exactly do they use to sweeten that fountain sweet tea? I genuinely felt nauseous after attempting to enjoy it a couple of times. It doesn't even taste of tea, just.... sweetness.

We were discussing REAL iced tea. Not the fountain crap. Thats probably why you felt sick.

QFT

The fountain stuff is made in huge batches, sweetened to death (often with corn syrup), chemically stabilised
to prevent staleness, then condensed to a syrup for easy transit...  This is not a nice thing to do to tea.

They do this to appeal to people used to drinking fountain soda (srsly, do you KNOW how much sugar is in
a 12-ounce Coke?)





The answer is 39 grams = about equal to a bit more than 7 1/2 tsp (US) or just under 11 teaspoons (UK) of granulated sugar...
   

[Haushinka]

It's all like that. I had some posh stuff in made to order and it was still just.... sugar.

[CeeGBee]

It's all like that. I had some posh stuff in made to order and it was still just.... sugar.

Sorry... on behalf of the tea-preparers in my country, I apologize apologise.....

When my (coffe-aholic) sister's in town, we sometimes go to Starbucks and I'll drink their iced tea.
It's weak, but if you tell the person fixing it to go easy on the simple syrup, it's not bad.  Of course, it is waaaaay over priced...

[Tiervexx]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

UPDATE, yesterday I was in there and I asked him.  He said it was just Black Tea and a non dairy creamer.  I neglected to ask if there was also sugar or artificial sweetener in there.  I'm not sure if there is or not since it is moderately sweet but I don't know how sweet the creamer might make it.

You know of any drinks that fit this description?

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

UPDATE, yesterday I was in there and I asked him.  He said it was just Black Tea and a non dairy creamer.  I neglected to ask if there was also sugar or artificial sweetener in there.  I'm not sure if there is or not since it is moderately sweet but I don't know how sweet the creamer might make it.

You know of any drinks that fit this description?

Dude, I gotta tell you something. I'm not Asian. On the bright side I do know what I'm talking about most of the time. .........hahaha made you look.

I suggest you try making a bunch of teas until you get the one you like.

[Tiervexx]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

UPDATE, yesterday I was in there and I asked him.  He said it was just Black Tea and a non dairy creamer.  I neglected to ask if there was also sugar or artificial sweetener in there.  I'm not sure if there is or not since it is moderately sweet but I don't know how sweet the creamer might make it.

You know of any drinks that fit this description?

Dude, I gotta tell you something. I'm not Asian. On the bright side I do know what I'm talking about most of the time.

I suggest you try making a bunch of teas until you get the one you like.

Goddamit! I already thought of that... I was hoping you had a suggested recipe I could start from...

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

UPDATE, yesterday I was in there and I asked him.  He said it was just Black Tea and a non dairy creamer.  I neglected to ask if there was also sugar or artificial sweetener in there.  I'm not sure if there is or not since it is moderately sweet but I don't know how sweet the creamer might make it.

You know of any drinks that fit this description?

Dude, I gotta tell you something. I'm not Asian. On the bright side I do know what I'm talking about most of the time.

I suggest you try making a bunch of teas until you get the one you like.

Goddamit! I already thought of that... I was hoping you had a suggested recipe I could start from...

Some bubble tea café's give away their recipes AND share the ingredients with the public (ie, have a bag of the tea that makes most of the teas on their menu). Nomsay?

[Tiervexx]

I had no idea that soy milk would be very sweet...  Of course the drink I've been talking about is really not that sweet either... interesting.

Sounds possible.... Next time I'm there I'll ask and hope they don't just tell me it's a secret

hell yeah dude, soya milk is REALLY sweet. Naturally really sweet.

UPDATE, yesterday I was in there and I asked him.  He said it was just Black Tea and a non dairy creamer.  I neglected to ask if there was also sugar or artificial sweetener in there.  I'm not sure if there is or not since it is moderately sweet but I don't know how sweet the creamer might make it.

You know of any drinks that fit this description?

Dude, I gotta tell you something. I'm not Asian. On the bright side I do know what I'm talking about most of the time.

I suggest you try making a bunch of teas until you get the one you like.

Goddamit! I already thought of that... I was hoping you had a suggested recipe I could start from...

Some bubble tea café's give away their recipes AND share the ingredients with the public (ie, have a bag of the tea that makes most of the teas on their menu). Nomsay?

really?  damn... I'll have to ask.

[The Angel Raliel]

It would seem that our Colonial friends stil think that Tea is some sort of sugar beverage to be drunk in a myriad of unneccesarily complex and artifical ways...............
please just try a nice cup of tea made with a decent kettle and some well chosen tea leaves

[turtle club]

my requirements; madura premium, hot water, milk and maybe a bikkie to dip 

[Tiervexx]

It would seem that our Colonial friends stil think that Tea is some sort of sugar beverage to be drunk in a myriad of unneccesarily complex and artifical ways...............
please just try a nice cup of tea made with a decent kettle and some well chosen tea leaves

I hope you're not talking to me since the drink I'm addicted to just consists of black tea, non dairy creamer and sugar...

I'm going to experiment with how to create it sooner or later...

[The Angel Raliel]

It would seem that our Colonial friends stil think that Tea is some sort of sugar beverage to be drunk in a myriad of unneccesarily complex and artifical ways...............
please just try a nice cup of tea made with a decent kettle and some well chosen tea leaves

that is a nice simple cup of tea!   I was refering to those that seem to want to add Tapioca (which is a horrible school pudding)

I hope you're not talking to me since the drink I'm addicted to just consists of black tea, non dairy creamer and sugar...

I'm going to experiment with how to create it sooner or later...

[.]

Tapioca makes my sking crawl.

I fell in love with Vitasoy Lemon tea when I was in Hong Kong:


And their malted and chocolate soy milk! It is so awesome.
The tea is tasty because it still tastes like tea. So often ice tea is sweetened/flavoured ridiculously and is yuck.

I just recently discovered that our chinese supermarket stocks all the vitasoy drinks and therefore have an expensive new addiction...

[armyoflarry]

For one album, Ginger Baker joined Masters Of Reality. He wrote a song called "T.U.S.A.".

"Now this is serious! If theres one thing in this country that really bothers me
Is the inability of Yanks to make a good cup of tea
Instructions are printed on the teabag
But either they can't read
Or they think it's a gag

Pour boiling water over the tea
How simple and clear can the instructions be?

They bring you a cup with a lemon slice
And an unopened tea bag beside it (How nice)
And a pot of water and it may be hot
But boiling it isn't so tea you have not

Why can't we
Get our tea
We need tea
To set us free

It's boiling water that brings out tea's flavor
With a dash of milk you've a real brew to savor
They drink luke brown water that looks like gnat pee
And it's got nothing to do with a good cup of tea

Pour boiling water over the tea
How simple and clear
Can the instructions be?"

[stallionbreaker]

At work my options are either microwave a cup of water til it boils (then submerge teabag) or use the very-hot-water-but-def-not-boiling spigot off the coffee maker (which will pour over teabag to steep more like the way it woulld if poured from a kettle). Which is better?

[Indja]

At work my options are either microwave a cup of water til it boils (then submerge teabag) or use the very-hot-water-but-def-not-boiling spigot off the coffee maker (which will pour over teabag to steep more like the way it woulld if poured from a kettle). Which is better?

The ONLY option is buying yourself a small, portable kettle and making a proper fucking brew.

[stallionbreaker]

Hmm. Innovative. I shall investigate this option.

[Indja]

You really, really should. If all else fails, steal one of those little ones from a hotel room or something - tea should always be made with fresh water that is still at boiling point. It makes all the difference. And in pouring it on, you get air into it which is also superimportant - hence why they pour it from way up high in like tea ceremonies and shit.

[stallionbreaker]

They don't have kettles in hotels here. They have miniature coffee-makers.

[Tiervexx]

They don't have kettles in hotels here. They have miniature coffee-makers.

those can be used to make tea!  think about it...

[stallionbreaker]

Perhaps, but I don't know if they actually boil the water, which seems to be one of the main components of making a "proper brew". I have an electric kettle at home (that I found on the side of the street. I love NY trash nights), but it's killer huge (okay, so 2L) so I wouldn't really want to bring it to work and back. I need to find a new one for proper work tea.

[CeeGBee]

They don't have kettles in hotels here. They have miniature coffee-makers.

those can be used to make tea!*  think about it...

*However, one must NEVER EVER EVER make his/her tea in such a machine after it's been used to
brew coffee; the coffee contamination is virtually impossible to clean from the basket after even a
single use, and it takes effort and repeated washings even to get it out of the pot itself.

I am somewhat heartened that some fast-food establishments near me (notable the McDonalds restaurants)
seem to have figured this out, as their iced tea no longer tastes like watered-down coffee...

[Tiervexx]

Perhaps, but I don't know if they actually boil the water, which seems to be one of the main components of making a "proper brew". I have an electric kettle at home (that I found on the side of the street. I love NY trash nights), but it's killer huge (okay, so 2L) so I wouldn't really want to bring it to work and back. I need to find a new one for proper work tea.

You don't have to boil the water to make tea!

I've read that some people in Asia think it is crude that westerners always use violent boiling to brew tea.  80 degrees Celsius is the proper temperature for tea brewing according to some Asian sources.

And in fact, some teas are even brewed cold.

[Indja]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

[stallionbreaker]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

BUT that 80C should be attained by boiling the water first, then allowing it to cool rather than only heating it to 80C. I've been doing my tea homework.

[Indja]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

BUT that 80C should be attained by boiling the water first, then allowing it to cool rather than only heating it to 80C. I've been doing my tea homework.

Good, young padawan. You will go far.

[CeeGBee]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

BUT that 80C should be attained by boiling the water first, then allowing it to cool rather than only heating it to 80C. I've been doing my tea homework.

Hmmmm...  I suppose, if a scientist were to compare the relative density of the impurities in the
water, it might be possible (at least theoretically) to detect the difference between water that's
cooled to a bit less than boiling and water that's been heated to almost boiling.

I promise the tea leaves can't tell though. 
(Still, it's easier to boil it all the way, then let it cool, than just try and guess whether it's hot enough yet...)

[Indja]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

BUT that 80C should be attained by boiling the water first, then allowing it to cool rather than only heating it to 80C. I've been doing my tea homework.

Hmmmm...  I suppose, if a scientist were to compare the relative density of the impurities in the
water, it might be possible (at least theoretically) to detect the difference between water that's
cooled to a bit less than boiling and water that's been heated to almost boiling.

I promise the tea leaves can't tell though. 
(Still, it's easier to boil it all the way, then let it cool, than just try and guess whether it's hot enough yet...)

Ah, c'mon, Cee - it's less about whether or not it makes a real major difference to the tea, more about the feeling of Doing It Properly.

[CeeGBee]

Depends on the tea, foo' - if it's standard black tea, water should have literally just boiled - a lot of the active ingredients just don't develop under 90 degrees. Other teas, like green tea, should use water at about 80 degrees C.

BUT that 80C should be attained by boiling the water first, then allowing it to cool rather than only heating it to 80C. I've been doing my tea homework.

Hmmmm...  I suppose, if a scientist were to compare the relative density of the impurities in the
water, it might be possible (at least theoretically) to detect the difference between water that's
cooled to a bit less than boiling and water that's been heated to almost boiling.

I promise the tea leaves can't tell though. 
(Still, it's easier to boil it all the way, then let it cool, than just try and guess whether it's hot enough yet...)

Ah, c'mon, Cee - it's less about whether or not it makes a real major difference to the tea, more about the feeling of Doing It Properly.

Spoken like a woman who conscientiously points her pinkie-finger. (Yes, I saw that pic...  Well done.)

[Agonistes]

it has been recently pointed out to me that i elevate my pinky when shifting gears or accelerating on my bike.



i am appropriately shamed, for it is true.

[Tiervexx]

It would seem that our Colonial friends stil think that Tea is some sort of sugar beverage to be drunk in a myriad of unneccesarily complex and artifical ways...............
please just try a nice cup of tea made with a decent kettle and some well chosen tea leaves

I hope you're not talking to me since the drink I'm addicted to just consists of black tea, non dairy creamer and sugar...

I'm going to experiment with how to create it sooner or later...

After one experiment I'm fairly certain that it is not sweetened with regular sugar.  Maybe honey?  I'll keep experimenting till I get it right.  Than I'll post a recipe.  It's awesome.  You all should try it once I figure it out.

[stallionbreaker]

Have you tried it without the sweetener yet? You said he told you it was just tea and creamer, and most creamers are pretty sweet themselves...

However, I'd recommend something that's not classified as "non-dairy creamer" because that shit is nas-tay. Corn syrup solids and hydrogenated soybean oil. Mmmmm. *vomits a little*

(p.s. and unrelatedly, what size is smaller than 1 in post code?)

[Tiervexx]

Have you tried it without the sweetener yet? You said he told you it was just tea and creamer, and most creamers are pretty sweet themselves...

However, I'd recommend something that's not classified as "non-dairy creamer" because that shit is nas-tay. Corn syrup solids and hydrogenated soybean oil. Mmmmm. *vomits a little*

(p.s. and unrelatedly, what size is smaller than 1 in post code?)

add a "pt" after the number to get smaller sizes.  for example

*size=1pt*Text*/size* is the smallest you can get, just replace the * with [] obviously.

I think the creamer was right... It could be that I should not have added sugar at all... I will go there tonight and I'll just try asking...

[stallionbreaker]

Thanks.

Can't hurt to ask them. I hope you do figure it out, cos it's really nice to have your favorite things at home.

[yosmark]

PLEASE ALL YOU TEA ENTHUSIASTS!!!!

WATCH THIS VIDEO
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/E60zbCrM-4Q" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/E60zbCrM-4Q</a>

[Tiervexx]

Thanks.

Can't hurt to ask them. I hope you do figure it out, cos it's really nice to have your favorite things at home.

I tried asking only to get conflicting answers.  One girl said she thought the tea came from a pre-made syrup.  I did some googling and came up with the following recipe that I enjoyed but is still not right for the drink I'm trying to reproduce:

1) Add 1.5 cups of milk and a little over one cup of water to a sauce pan than bring it to a boil.

2) add three black tea bags (or about 3 tsp), take off heat and let it steep for 5 minutes.

3) Remove tea and add 5 heaping tsp of sugar and stir.

4) put a lot of ice into a large cup than pour the tea into it.  The end result will be about half water and half milk.

[Grim Tuesday]

who knew I was drinking tea wrong.

[Kenny Wisdom]

Every schoolboy knows tea must be made with boiling water.

You can't make a good cup of tea up Everest, yeti the coffee's not so bad.

(Unlike my pun).

[The Angel Raliel]

that was abominable!

[Tiervexx]

Every schoolboy knows tea must be made with boiling water.

You can't make a good cup of tea up Everest, yeti the coffee's not so bad.

(Unlike my pun).

For black tea and teas made from black tea yes (which is most of what Europeans drink) but green and white should be brewed at 80 degrees C.

I've actually thought about buying a thermometer so I can get that right since my favorite tea that I can make myself is plain green.  Currently I just estimate it by turning off the heat and letting it cool for a minute before I add the tea and cover it.

I used to use boiling for green but I figured out that letting it cool a little first made a big difference in how bitter it was.

[guuurrrrrllltakeiteasy]

So, did you figure out how to make your drink, yet?

[Tiervexx]

No, but I think I'm close.

Today I boiled 3 cups of water, added 4 tea bags, let it steep for 5 minutes.

Than I added 5 roughly leveled tea spoons of non dairy creamer and 4 tsp of sugar.  Than I added some ice and chilled it in the freezer till it was cold.

This still is not right... still not nearly as good but I think I have the right idea.

[turtle club]

what is (non-dairy) creamer?

[The Angel Raliel]

a horrible artificial product made from vegetable fats (usually hydrogenated) and corn starch....not something you would ordinarily want to put near tea unless it came from a motorway service station

[turtle club]

well then why is it voluntarily drunk?!
what's wrong with normal (good for you) milk, or even soymilk if one is vegan?

[CeeGBee]

well then why is it voluntarily drunk?!
what's wrong with normal (good for you) milk, or even soymilk if one is vegan?

...motorway service station...

It's shelf-stable, keeps forever, and as long as it's in its sealed packet, you can generally assume that
it's safe to consume, and no worse tasting than the day it was manufactured.


I assume also that it inspired Douglas Adams' concept of the tea on the starship Heart Of Gold...

[The Angel Raliel]

a bit like dogs milk really...........

Holly: Hope they've got some odds and sods on board, we're short of a few supplies.
Lister: [drinking tea] Like what?
Holly: Cow's milk, ran out of that yonks ago. Fresh and dehydrated.
Lister: What kind of milk are we using now?
Holly: Emergency backup supply. We're on the dog's milk.
Lister: Dog's milk!
Holly: Nothing wrong with dog's milk. Full of goodness, full of vitamins, full of marrowbone jelly. Lasts longer than any other milk, dog's milk.
Lister: Why?
Holly: No bugger'll drink it. Plus of course the advantage of dog's milk is that when it goes off, it tastes exactly the same as when it's fresh.

[Niels]

normal (good for you) milk

hilarious.

[Tiervexx]

today I simply had unsweetened green tea.

put about 3 cups of water into a pan, heated it to about 180 degrees F, added 4 tea bags and let it steep for slightly over 3 minutes.

[slyvia k]

normal (good for you) milk

hilarious.

oh c'mon, milk is good for you as a rich source of vimtamin and especially calcium. so vegans should definitely try and compensate this in their diets.



Vegan Sources of Calcium

Good plant sources of calcium include:

    * Green leafy vegetables: spring greens, kale, broccoli, parsley.
      It is important to note that spinach is not a good source of calcium. It is high in calcium, but the calcium is bound to oxalates and therefore poorly absorbed
    * Fortified foods such as soya milk
    * White flour (as calcium is added by law) and white flour products
    * Calcium-set tofu
    * Oranges
    * Ground sesame seeds (tahini)
      The calcium content is high but variable and absorption of calcium from tahini is not proven so tahini should not be relied upon as a main source
    * Figs and black molasses
    * Drinking hard water can provide 200mg of calcium daily, although soft water contains almost none

[turtle club]

i noticed from Tiervexx's post, what with heating water on a stove (...now why would you do that if you had a kettle?).... you guys (americans) don't have electric kettles, do you?

my auntie told me about her endless hunt for an electric kettle when she moved to America; therefore i'm guessing most people don't have one. instead, apparently you have coffee machines. be this true? do respond with 'aye' or 'nay'. 



btw thanks Syl for the agreement!

[CeeGBee]

i noticed from Tiervexx's post, what with heating water on a stove (...now why would you do that if you had a kettle?).... you guys (americans) don't have electric kettles, do you?

my auntie told me about her endless hunt for an electric kettle when she moved to America; therefore i'm guessing most people don't have one. instead, apparently you have coffee machines. be this true? do respond with 'aye' or 'nay'. 



btw thanks Syl for the agreement!

They're around, but sometimes one must hunt.

[Johnny]

dark, strong, mildly sweet, on ice



now we can close this forum.

[The Angel Raliel]

its the ice bit that make it all wrong........
and other people have commented on the lack of kettles in the US.....
how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles??? or indeed any of the 1000s of things kettles are used for in the UK .... even the poorest and lowliest crackden or even student flat will have a kettle!

[stallionbreaker]

We never had an electric kettle until I was looking to reduce my energy-usage a few years ago. Until then I had an on-the-stove kettle, which is more standard here than the electric kind. I got my electric kettle from this house that often puts random things outside on their sidewalk with a "free" sign on them. Total score.

[CeeGBee]

its the ice bit that make it all wrong........
and other people have commented on the lack of kettles in the US.....
how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles??? or indeed any of the 1000s of things kettles are used for in the UK .... even the poorest and lowliest crackden or even student flat will have a kettle!

We have "tea kettles", which is to say sauce pots with closed-in tops and spouts, which we use
to heat water on our stovetops or hot-plates.

I put in an application yesterday to work HERE...  They sell (among other things) electric tea kettles.
I would very much like to gain such employment (and not just 'cuz being not-employed-and-very-broke suxx).

[Johnny]

its the ice bit that make it all wrong........
and other people have commented on the lack of kettles in the US.....
how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles??? or indeed any of the 1000s of things kettles are used for in the UK .... even the poorest and lowliest crackden or even student flat will have a kettle!

i was commenting on the correct way to drink it, not make it.
of course you use a pot (not necessarily or always a kettle) to heat up the water and steep the tea.

[Niels]

how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles???

you microwave the fuck out of it!

[Indja]

how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles???

you microwave the fuck out of it!

WHAT?? Srsly, WHAT???

[stallionbreaker]

how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles???

you microwave the fuck out of it!

WHAT?? Srsly, WHAT???

In defense of Americans, I want to weigh in as having never microwaved water for a Cup O Noodles or a hot water bottle (though I don't actually own a hot water bottle, I wouldn't use a microwave for the heating if I did). We always had tea kettles on the stove.

[Niels]

I'm not American...

but microwave is simply faster & easier.

[stallionbreaker]

I'm not American...

Phew.

[Tiervexx]

i noticed from Tiervexx's post, what with heating water on a stove (...now why would you do that if you had a kettle?).... you guys (americans) don't have electric kettles, do you?

my auntie told me about her endless hunt for an electric kettle when she moved to America; therefore i'm guessing most people don't have one. instead, apparently you have coffee machines. be this true? do respond with 'aye' or 'nay'. 



btw thanks Syl for the agreement!

They're around, but sometimes one must hunt.

That's why we have the internet

[dangerpants]

I have so much love in my heart for sweet tea. Runs in the family... My grandfather once drank so much of it that he had to go to the hospital. XD

I brew black tea in my little tea pot* and add either just a little sugar, or sugar and almond milk. 'Cos I freaking love almond milk. Holy crap. So good. Amazing in coffee. Makes bangin' cookies.

*

[sylent1]

Gotta say other than the ?fong prong? I agree with Alyss' assessment of your tea drinking tradition. Personally, I don't feel the need to turn it into a ritual..and as far as the Chinese being the final arbiter of the tea dilemma..the friggin' people think eating a tiger's penis will make them virile. I've had some damn fine teas flavored with jasmine blossoms, and earl grey twinings with agave nectar for a sweetner. If that makes me barbaric so be it. 

[Blue Canary]

its the ice bit that make it all wrong........
and other people have commented on the lack of kettles in the US.....
how do you make pot noodles? or fill up hot water bottles??? or indeed any of the 1000s of things kettles are used for in the UK .... even the poorest and lowliest crackden or even student flat will have a kettle!

Now now, let's not make generalizations.
I live in hicktown U.S.A and I have an electric tea kettle AND a stovetop tea kettle. I haven't even owned a microwave since I was 13.

How do I like my tea?
Strong, green, and with a little honey.
JUST LIKE I LIKE MY MEN.

[absynth aura]

^When I was in the States, none of the houses I went to had electric kettles. And when I did some baking I had to boil water in the microwave. It was odd, because I haven't owned a microwave in years...I don't know how those without electric kettles do it. I would find it extremely hard, I mean it's easy to live without a microwave, but not a kettle.

As for tea...well it depends on what type of tea. Regular tea, it's just 2 sugars, none of this milk shit.
Herbal teas is more nothing but honey.

[Blue Canary]

^When I was in the States, none of the houses I went to had electric kettles. And when I did some baking I had to boil water in the microwave. It was odd, because I haven't owned a microwave in years...I don't know how those without electric kettles do it. I would find it extremely hard, I mean it's easy to live without a microwave, but not a kettle.

As for tea...well it depends on what type of tea. Regular tea, it's just 2 sugars, none of this milk shit.
Herbal teas is more nothing but honey.

That's true. Imagine not having EITHER.
Yikes.

[Savannah]

In my country we don't use coffee dripping machines, because we indulge in tea rather than coffee. so we mostly use electric kettles and teapots.
I mix bergamot or earl grey tea with black tea(3 tsp of each) within my teapot and brew them with boiled water. After 9-10 minutes it's ready to drink.

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

[Tiervexx]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

[Savannah]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

I'm a little exceptional kind of green tea drinker because i had kidney stone and had an operation about it last year. Doc told me to drink green tea, but not more than 2 cups per day because it would harm my kidney if i drank lots of green tea, and on the box of the tea it's written "1-2 cups of green tea is enough per day" probably because of tein.

[lentower]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

I'm a little exceptional kind of green tea drinker because i had kidney stone and had an operation about it last year. Doc told me to drink green tea, but not more than 2 cups per day because it would harm my kidney if i drank lots of green tea, and on the box of the tea it's written "1-2 cups of green tea is enough per day" probably because of tein.

white tea is even healthier

[Savannah]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

I'm a little exceptional kind of green tea drinker because i had kidney stone and had an operation about it last year. Doc told me to drink green tea, but not more than 2 cups per day because it would harm my kidney if i drank lots of green tea, and on the box of the tea it's written "1-2 cups of green tea is enough per day" probably because of tein.

white tea is even healthier

I've never heard about it before. I googled, but there's no much information. I wish could find it around here 

[CeeGBee]

I admit that this is one of those areas where I only know ONE WORD, but perhaps google can help you....

OXALATES

[Savannah]

I admit that this is one of those areas where I only know ONE WORD, but perhaps google can help you....

OXALATES

i knew about spinach, parsley, berries, etc but i didn't know oxalates was the reason i shouldn't drink tea. thank you very much. btw i'm a really big fan of any kind of tea, i don't know how to avoid drinking

[lentower]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

I'm a little exceptional kind of green tea drinker because i had kidney stone and had an operation about it last year. Doc told me to drink green tea, but not more than 2 cups per day because it would harm my kidney if i drank lots of green tea, and on the box of the tea it's written "1-2 cups of green tea is enough per day" probably because of tein.

white tea is even healthier

I've never heard about it before. I googled, but there's no much information. I wish could find it around here  

regular tea is made from all the buds on the flower stalks from tea plants.
green tea is made from the two tea buds at the very tip of the flower stalk.
white tea from the tea bud at the very tip.

the buds nearer the tip are less mature, and allowed to dry on the plant.
this means the nutrients are less oxidized, and less fermented,
thus healthier.

the Wikipedia article isn't a bad place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tea

[Savannah]

Sometimes i fancy green tea too, but because it's harmful to drink more than 2 cups each day, i seldom brew it.

Really?

Green tea is very healthy and only has about 1/4 the caffeine of coffee.  What is bad in it?  And even caffeine does not have completely negative effects.

I'm a little exceptional kind of green tea drinker because i had kidney stone and had an operation about it last year. Doc told me to drink green tea, but not more than 2 cups per day because it would harm my kidney if i drank lots of green tea, and on the box of the tea it's written "1-2 cups of green tea is enough per day" probably because of tein.

white tea is even healthier

I've never heard about it before. I googled, but there's no much information. I wish could find it around here  

regular tea is made from all the buds on the flower stalks from tea plants.
green tea is made from the two tea buds at the very tip of the flower stalk.
white tea from the tea bud at the very tip.

the buds nearer the tip are less mature, and allowed to dry on the plant.
this means the nutrients are less oxidized, and less fermented,
thus healthier.

the Wikipedia article isn't a bad place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tea

Thanks a lot for sharing, i'll try to find it any time soon 

[lentower]

green tea is almost as good as white tea ...

[Agonistes]

i just discovered a sassafras tree growing in my backyard today.  there will be roots brewed.

[lentower]

i love the shape of sassafras leaves!

(the tea is tasty too)

[Agonistes]

it's relaxing tea, and has other benefits i can't remember right now, but i think it helps allergies.  it makes a good smell-pretty for your house or car, too.  i've been known to strip a small bit of root and toss it on the car floor; i've never been partial to artificial air fresheners, but bits of nature often work really well; especially in summer as they dry out.

i used to know a story about the leaves and their three different shapes.  it was about a native american boy and the three different shapes of mittens his mom made him as he grew up and needed to pick up sticks, and eventually shoot a bow, because the leaves are straight, and also shaped like a mitten with thumbs, and also shaped like a mitten with thumbs and a little finger.

[lentower]

i heard the indian boy mitten story eons ago, among others ...

[Agonistes]

i heard the indian boy mitten story eons ago, among others ...

yeah, i've tried to remember how it goes exactly so i can teach it to mr fetus (our budding grandchild's nickname) when the time of comprehension comes.  hearing it as a kid, even though i thought it was kinda silly at the time, meant i never failed to identify the leaves.  i've never heard any others, though.  feel free to relate them, if it pleases you.  i would love to hear em.


actually, i've been thinking about making a gardening/botany thread; we just moved to a property that formerly spent years as a woman's giant flower/herb/vegetable garden/farm, and the land here is incredibly fertile, and i know just about fuckall about planting.  the internet's been a big help, though.

[imaginary friend]

plant a couple of fruit trees; my next-door neighbor has a pear tree in her yard.

#@!

[Agonistes]

i'm cloning my fig tree from the old property, and it is going in on the side of the house, even if the cloning process fails and i have to transplant the whole thing (it seems to be working, though, i have managed to coax it to produce a few wispy roots already).  there is some sort of tree already fixing to produce, i think it is plums but i haven't looked it up yet.  in a few minutes i am off to get yet more dirt so i can plant a really nice dogwood i got also.  and, i planted a wisteria.  i love flowers.  yeah, i do.  i've never really planted anything, so i'm wondering how it's going to go, but i'm trying to do it right.

i've also put in some squash to see how it does, and i'm trying a few artichokes.  and, of course, a watermelon vine.

[CeeGBee]

i heard the indian boy mitten story eons ago, among others ...

yeah, i've tried to remember how it goes exactly so i can teach it to mr fetus (our budding grandchild's nickname) when the time of comprehension comes.  hearing it as a kid, even though i thought it was kinda silly at the time, meant i never failed to identify the leaves.  i've never heard any others, though.  feel free to relate them, if it pleases you.  i would love to hear em.

actually, i've been thinking about making a gardening/botany thread; we just moved to a property that formerly spent years as a woman's giant flower/herb/vegetable garden/farm, and the land here is incredibly fertile, and i know just about fuckall about planting.  the internet's been a big help, though.

Look around you for a nursery...

I visited a place called "Edible Landscaping" up near Charlottesville (not only well north of you, but
about 500' further above sea level, I think), and I was amazed to see what sorts of things will not
simply grow, but will thrive in our relatively chilly climate: tea, pomegranates, kiwi... to say nothing
of obvious (and fairly low-maintenance) things like black- blue- and raspberries, fruit trees....

[Agonistes]

i heard the indian boy mitten story eons ago, among others ...

yeah, i've tried to remember how it goes exactly so i can teach it to mr fetus (our budding grandchild's nickname) when the time of comprehension comes.  hearing it as a kid, even though i thought it was kinda silly at the time, meant i never failed to identify the leaves.  i've never heard any others, though.  feel free to relate them, if it pleases you.  i would love to hear em.

actually, i've been thinking about making a gardening/botany thread; we just moved to a property that formerly spent years as a woman's giant flower/herb/vegetable garden/farm, and the land here is incredibly fertile, and i know just about fuckall about planting.  the internet's been a big help, though.

Look around you for a nursery...

I visited a place called "Edible Landscaping" up near Charlottesville (not only well north of you, but
about 500' further above sea level, I think), and I was amazed to see what sorts of things will not
simply grow, but will thrive in our relatively chilly climate: tea, pomegranates, kiwi... to say nothing
of obvious (and fairly low-maintenance) things like black- blue- and raspberries, fruit trees....

oh, alabama is great for land yield also..... things grow here without any help at all.  i found a yielding blackberry bush while untangling a mass of bush near the old clothes-drying hanging wire.  in fact i fell into it, because thorns have a way of affecting one's balance.  it wasn't fun, but blackberries are delicious.  and, there is a strawberry patch on the side of my house where they just never stopped growing; some are already the size of silver dollars.

i've got three nurseries within two miles of my house, as well as a lowe's garden center and a marvin's garden center (hooray for hardware stores).  also three thrift stores, and about nine restaurants.  the guy across the street has a huge piece of land, upon which he is growing vegetables, but has started putting in an orchard, and has promised to allow me to clone some of the trees when they get up for it, probably next year.  we've actually been trying to figure out why his vegetables failed, but we think it's because someone drove into his field and tore up his irrigation, so we put in a fence that would rip out the bottom of one's car if one tries to drive out there in future.

[imaginary friend]

wild strawberries grow like weeds.

#@!

[Agonistes]

wild strawberries grow like weeds.

#@!

lol true.  these are kinda big and fabulous to be typically wild, though.

oh; there is also a pecan tree here.

[imaginary friend]

mmmm to both...more no-maintenance foods:  asparagus and onions.  there used to be a huge asylum not far from here, and about 100 years ago, the inmates used to help grow their own food. you used to be able to walk out into the property (the place was closed down in the late '80s/early '90s) a few times a year and harvest some.

some developer bought the property a few years ago, plowed all the goodness under, and put up some cheap-ass housing.

#@!

[Agonistes]

yep, we've got shitloads of onion grass already.  i'm going to put in some real onjins, though, and some asparagus when i get a bit plowed up and dont have to start them in planters.  and i think i already have some garlic, i see some bulb grass that looks garlic-y, but it hasn't flowered yet, so it could be daffodils or something.  i forgot i also did some parsley and basil, and then i asked suzy to please stop buying me seeds for a minute.

got a chicken coop half built too. free eggses.

[imaginary friend]

If you're thinking of planting cilantro or oregano, pull it all before it goes to seed, whether you use it or not. oregano has taken over a small patch of my best friend's lawn because she didn't pull it one year.

#@!

[CeeGBee]

If you're thinking of planting cilantro or oregano, pull it all before it goes to seed, whether you use it or not. oregano has taken over a small patch of my best friend's lawn because she didn't pull it one year.

#@!

A lot of herbs will do that...  Mint, oregano, basil... catnip...


Oh, and blackberries = natural barbed wire....  You'll get bloody, but it's worth it.

[lentower]

gone and answered in a brand new thread

gardening thread.

dearest cletus, i havent started cilantro or the other thing you said, i don't think.  most of the herbs i did start are in a bucket though, till they start sprouting.  i know i have parsley.

cee----i have been caught in more than one blackberry bush in my life.  it's more funny than painful.  check with me again when i get the wasp's nests out of my shed.  i'll try to have video.

also, i managed to snag a root and some growth off my old wisteria tree in the old yard.  i saved some because it's one of the white ones, and you rarely see the color it is.  it's now storming and fucking up the new bed i laid, so some of the seeds might be gone.

[Agonistes]

it's true, i fucked off without telling anybody.

BUTTTT, speaking of mint, i have been looking for some.  why does it grow by every kitchen door of every southern house built five hundred years ago or whatever, but i can't find a simple seed to save my life?  i'm not a huge fan of mint things but you can infuse sun tea or sweet tea with it, and it doesn't suck at all.

i'm trying to not drink soda, and tea is not really much better for me, but it's got more water in it than soda does.

[CeeGBee]

Mint seeds?  I see 'em pretty much everywhere that sells any kind of seed... the grocery, hardware, home-center...

Hell, try the 7-11...

Last patch I dealt with had a couple varieties of spearmint, chocolate mint, and a bit
of pennyroyal (which I don't generally think of as mint, but of course it is...), but my
friends moved out of that house, so I don't see it so much...

[Niels]

I just planted mint in my garden and I really hope it'll take over my entire garden because I love mint tea and then I can have as much of it as I want.

[Agonistes]

Mint seeds?  I see 'em pretty much everywhere that sells any kind of seed... the grocery, hardware, home-center...

Hell, try the 7-11...

Last patch I dealt with had a couple varieties of spearmint, chocolate mint, and a bit
of pennyroyal (which I don't generally think of as mint, but of course it is...), but my
friends moved out of that house, so I don't see it so much...

see, i'd think you'd find them anywhere.  i mean if a patch of the stuff can survive for a hundred years.....not that i have looked at more than like five stores or anything, and i can't just stroll up to some lil old lady's house and demand a patch of her sod.....

spearmint, not so much.  i just like the weak mint that grows so easily in rain gutter drip, and doesn't mind accidentally getting hit every so often with the weed-whacker by careless yard guys.  isn't pennyroyal used as a form of birth control?  i think in india, first?

if there is any way i can grow something anywhere near related to chocolate, i aim to find out right now.

[CeeGBee]

Alas, the proper Theobroma cacao requires a true tropical climate...

Chocolate mint is definitely a mint, with a rather more rounded leaf than spearmint, and has a slight
hint of a flavour that one could, with a bit of effort, imagine to be similar to that of chocolate... 
...but it should grow nicely in your climate-range.

[Agonistes]

of course, a true tropical climate could easily be induced, for a whole lot of cash and trips to lowe's.

there is a chocolate exhibit at the nature museum in town.  it's not that impressive, no free samples or anything, but it's thorough.  i'd never be able to get a tree to the size the fake one they have.

i am disappoint, however, the gift shop didn't sell seeds anyway.

[turtle club]

i have recently discovered the joy and relief that accompanies strong black tea with a generous teaspoonful of honey and a little dash of water, to cool it slightly.

<3 helping me to overpower this dreaded flu. its working! mwahaha

[lentower]

Shiny

nice to have you posting again

[The Angel Raliel]

served by me in my new and shiny coffee and teashop that i start running this very morning!

[Savannah]

i have recently discovered the joy and relief that accompanies strong black tea with a generous teaspoonful of honey and a little dash of water, to cool it slightly.

<3 helping me to overpower this dreaded flu. its working! mwahaha

If you add a little slice of lemon, it does not taste like tea anymore but it becomes a quite heavenly drink. Also lemon+honey+water+peppermint is yummy.

[N.U.]

This is the best stuff to use. Tea leaves are for suckers. Instant is what nature should have made tea to begin with.

[CeeGBee]

This is the best stuff to use. Tea leaves are for suckers. Instant is what nature should have made tea to begin with.

Heresy.... (but not as bad as the tea-zealots would have you believe).

[N.U.]

Hence why I keep a tea kettle on my stove and a tea kettle that I take camping.

[The Angel Raliel]

Hence why I keep a tea kettle on my stove and a tea kettle that I take camping.

seee? .......total Anglophile

[Agonistes]

sigh....i know how to make quill pens out of feathers, and my own paintbrushes, but i just thought that made me a medievalist.

[N.U.]

I've used feathers AS paintbrushes. Works wonderfully with watercolors.

[Agonistes]

works well with faux texture too.

[CeeGBee]

works well with faux texture too.

Trufact:  One of the highlights on the tour of the White House of the Confederacy is the
marble mantelpiece in President Davis' library....

...the one that's actually cast-iron painted with sponges and turkey feathers...

You have to see it in person to really appreciate the effect.

[The Angel Raliel]

you are proud of a fireplace? ....my god we have entire ROOMS painted in this cunning faske marble over here (courtesy of 18th century artists and craftsmen)

[CeeGBee]

you are proud of a fireplace? ....my god we have entire ROOMS painted in this cunning faske marble over here (courtesy of 18th century artists and craftsmen)

Sure, but painted with turkey feathers?

(This whole house is full of trompe l'oeil and faux finishes and other things described with
French terms, such as were fashionable in the 19th century.... Indeed, the various illusions,
literally from floor to ceiling, are a featured part of the tour.)

[N.U.]

well, the Confederacy wasn't exactly rich.

[Agonistes]

you are proud of a fireplace? ....my god we have entire ROOMS painted in this cunning faske marble over here (courtesy of 18th century artists and craftsmen)

there's an entrance hall in one of the old restored homes in charleston, sc that's all in faux marble finish, which is where i learned how to do it, volunteering with the city museum, that owns and is restoring a handful of those houses downtown, one story at a time.

i've picked up quite a few dollars doing fireplaces and tabletops and various bits in people's houses.  the only time i've gotten to do a room, however, was for an italian restaurant.  i painted the back wall and half the room to look like a balcony overlooking the mediterranean.

and, of course, many sets.  you just can't do 'a funny thing happened on the way to the forum' without some fake stone.

we need more rooms like that.

well, the Confederacy wasn't exactly rich.

some of its members certainly were, however....

[CeeGBee]

The visual illusions were very much the desired effect, not an improvised response to wartime
shortages.  In fact, they were installed by the guy who owned the house before the war.
Among them, "marble" wallpaper that cost nearly as much as actual marble would have, a tacky
"woodgrain" wallpaper that would be right at home in the shelf-paper section at Wal-Mart, and
a canvas floor-cloth painted (again, at great expense) to look like tile.

I wonder if Ag's faux-marble wallcovering is the same stuff....  This was printed in individual
sheets, placed edge-to-edge, and then hand-painted where the "mortar" should be.

(Anyway, back to the topic at hand, I know the Davises drank coffee and tea, but the only specific
reference I know is to cafe au lait...  The RIGHT way to drink tea is certainly to avoid any war that
would result in a naval blockade that interrupts tea imports.)

[Agonistes]

no, ag's faux marble is all hand-painted.

[N.U.]

we did faux marble using oil paints and a water table. Worked really well.

[Shock G]

Jasmine green tea, no sugar.

[Tiervexx]

Jasmine green tea, no sugar.

That's what I've been drinking at home for a while now.  It is my favorite.

Especially when it's steeped at the right temperature (176F or 80C).  Violent boiling makes it more bitter.  I've also found that it should not steep for more than 2 minutes.  Ever.  If you want it to be stronger use more leaves.

[Savannah]

^-Jasmine flavoured Green Tea is my favourite.

I prefer flavoured teas. I never can drink black tea without bergamot or lemon.

I guess that's why i've always found plain green tea a little dull. So i like it with jasmine or mint better.

[Tiervexx]

I like plain green too too.

Black tea is good in it's own right but when consumed plain it is too bitter in my opinion.

I've liked white tea drinks that I've had before but I've never had it plain before.  I should try it.

[CeeGBee]

Black tea is good in it's own right but when consumed plain it is too bitter in my opinion.

Ask your purveyor of finer teas to provide you with a bit of pu'erh.
Bitterness will trouble you no more.....   

[Astica]

Tea! <3
I like many kinds. Probably the biggest truth I've read so far in this thread is never to have honey AND milk in the same cup of tea. I absent-mindedly added milk to a cup of green tea with honey that I was making one day, realised a second too late, decided I might as well drink it anyway, got through about two sips before I gave up on it.

[turtle club]

casually visited T2 the other day and bought some CHOCOLATE tea.
its black tea, with cocoa bean fragments and subtle choc flavouring. so while it tastes exactly the same as normal black tea, it SMELLS heavenly 

[lentower]

organic jade green tea

[CeeGBee]

[bumpity bump...]

So ya know how when ya heat water for tea in the microwave, it winds up
tasting funny?  (Yes, I realize one simply shouldn't do this, but sometimes
circumstances force us to employ shortcuts...)

Anyway, turns out there's a proper scientific reason: As with all things nuked
in the microwave, the water doesn't heat uniformly - you end up with a swirling
cup of less-than-boiling water, mixed with super-heated water that's actually
HOTTER than the conventional boiling-point - you drop in your tea, and get
instantly scalded leaves, combined with foam as the superheated water forms
bubbles around the tea solids.  This can be mitigated by stirring the microwaved
water, and allowing it to sit for a minute or so.

Also, tea is wonderful.   

[Reptile]

mmm tea.

I have many prejudices towards tea making styles. For starters non of this microwaving nonsense. You boil your water then open the top and let it cool for a minute so it doesn't burn the tea. Should you decide to put milk in (lol whut?) then you do so before hand and with care. I like green tea so I guess this matters more? 

[Indja]

mmm tea.

I have many prejudices towards tea making styles. For starters non of this microwaving nonsense. You boil your water then open the top and let it cool for a minute so it doesn't burn the tea. Should you decide to put milk in (lol whut?) then you do so before hand and with care. I like green tea so I guess this matters more?

Ack, no. For black tea, boil the water fresh and get it on your tea while it's still boiling. 'Rolling boil' I think is the thing. Milk second, so you can properly judge the amount

[Rose]

mmm tea.

I have many prejudices towards tea making styles. For starters non of this microwaving nonsense. You boil your water then open the top and let it cool for a minute so it doesn't burn the tea. Should you decide to put milk in (lol whut?) then you do so before hand and with care. I like green tea so I guess this matters more?

I never put milk or sugar or anything in my tea - unless I'm doing chai. Then, I usually do, depending on the quality of the cream/honey I've got on hand. I prefer my stuff steeped as strong as it can get, too, unless it's a tea like Earl Grey which tastes like ass when it's steeped too long. And I completely agree about the microwaving nonsense. I'd rather have no tea than microwaved tea. The water tastes flat or something. I won't even microwave water for hot chocolate.

[imaginary friend]

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/R2IJdfxWtPM" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/R2IJdfxWtPM</a>

[sangrebloom]

I never realized how often he said that...