How do you have your tea?

[lowendlinux]

Thread revival...
Recently on a cruise, we've been hitting High Tea from 4-5pm. Warm scones, strawberry jam, and clotted cream, to die for, along with dainty sandwiches and deserts. Although I mostly drink coffee and on occasion (as I describe it) run-of-the-mill tea at home, (the Lipton Tea brand comes to mind). Looking through the tea menu aboard ship, Capt Picard came into focus when I spotted Earl Grey on the list which I promptly ordered "hot". The server did not get it. And... what a treat! Heavy with a floral fragrance, it almost reminds me of a medicinal health drink. What was that flavor? I had to google it. Of note, I've had teas described as "orange" but never like this. I'll have to see how much this costs when I get back home. Can I assume there are different grades? Waiting on @Scepticalscribe. Anyone feel free.

Quote:

1. 
   Earl Grey tea is a tea blend with a distinctive citrus flavour and aroma derived from the addition of oil extracted from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit. Traditionally, the term "Earl Grey" has applied only to black teas that contain oil of bergamot (orange) as a flavouring.

It looks like I'd need to get dressed up and add a dash of manors so I think I'll take that of my bucket list

 

[dingster1]

1)Peppermint with lots of sugar. 2) Tazo Wild Orange with 4 sugars. Or Lipton with honey, lemon and sugar if I have a speaking engagement.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Anyway, if having tea, I usually opt for nothing or a thin slice of lemon dipped in a few times, or the zest curl of a lemon. Never milk.

Sounds like the type of flavors you like simply work best with lemon. Milk would curdle. I don't like the fruity teas in general.

 

[Mousse]

Green tea: 160° F, no sugar, no cream.

Black tea: 40° F, sweeten, no cream.

Oolong tea: 160°, slightly sweeten, no cream.

Green tea is my drink of choice. I'm one of those snobs who thinks that if you have to add sugar to your tea, you're drinking the wrong tea.

 

[0388631]

Sounds like the type of flavors you like simply work best with lemon. Milk would curdle. I don't like the fruity teas in general.

Not necessarily. And again, not necessarily. The issue with milk is that like any dairy, it dilutes flavor and the fat content overwhelms any intricacies in good tea or coffee.

 

[Huntn]

It looks like I'd need to get dressed up and add a dash of manors so I think I'll take that of my bucket list

On the boat, most people were not dressed up, but yes on the good manners. That said, I'm noticing that many +50 (age) people especially when they are rotund, don't look all that great in your average set of jeans and a plaid shirt. My pants of choice were khaki colored slacks, a sports shirt, specifically not a t-shirt unless it was solid black, and any other shoe than white or other brightly colored running/walking shoes prevalent with the U.S. populace, although these are quality shoes...for running, not making a fashion statement.

 

[0388631]

Better known as "Middle-aged parent looks."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

On the boat, most people were not dressed up, but yes on the good manners. That said, I'm noticing that many +50 (age) people especially when they are rotund, don't look all that great in your average set of jeans and a plaid shirt. My pants of choice were khaki colored slacks, a sports shirt, specifically not a t-shirt unless it was solid black, and any other shoe than white or other brightly colored running/walking shoes prevalent with the U.S. populace, although these are quality shoes...for running, not making a fashion statement.

But, @Huntn, there are people who were never flattered by jeans, irrespective of how young and how slim they once were.

These days, it is not just that I am well into my middle years, and my silhouette is no longer sylph like, it is that when I was young and indeed slim, I never liked jeans as I never found a pair that looked good on me, or - for that matter (a matter of no small importance to me) were comfortable to wear. Same with trainers. Hence, I never wear - and have never worn either jeans or trainers.

 

[Huntn]

But, @Huntn, there are people who were never flattered by jeans, irrespective of how young and how slim they once were.

These days, it is not just that I am well into my middle years, and my silhouette is no longer sylph like, it is that when I was young and indeed slim, I never liked jeans as I never found a pair that looked good on me, or - for that matter (a matter of no small importance to me) were comfortable to wear. same with trainers. hence, I never wear - and have never worn either jeans or trainers.

I don't disagree, just reporting what I saw. I remember a time (1960ish) when it seemed only children and certain work professions wore blue jeans. At least I don't remember any adults wearing them around me. However, this article illustrates they were making an impact in the early 20th century as a fashion statement. It was enjoyable to watch them transition into high fashion and I remember buying my first young adult pair in high school with bell bottoms (1970ish). You just had to have some.

 

[AlliFlowers]

Since the thread is temporarily derailed, let me add to the derailment. Mother and I are currently overnighting in a casino/hotel. We dress. But we were just remarking that for the most part, it's only a step up from WalMart. The general dress code seems to be jeans and t-shirts, although women tend to dress better than men (to impress maybe?), although the younger women have no idea what to wear to flatter themselves.

 

[Huntn]

Since the thread is temporarily derailed, let me add to the derailment. Mother and I are currently overnighting in a casino/hotel. We dress. But we were just remarking that for the most part, it's only a step up from WalMart. The general dress code seems to be jeans and t-shirts, although women tend to dress better than men (to impress maybe?), although the younger women have no idea what to wear to flatter themselves.

In Vegas not unusual to see flip flops and t-shirts, but I'm trying to remember what I actually saw in the casinos proper. As a rule, I want to agree the women dress better then the men.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Since the thread is temporarily derailed, let me add to the derailment. Mother and I are currently overnighting in a casino/hotel. We dress. But we were just remarking that for the most part, it's only a step up from WalMart. The general dress code seems to be jeans and t-shirts, although women tend to dress better than men (to impress maybe?), although the younger women have no idea what to wear to flatter themselves.

In Vegas not unusual to see flip flops and t-shirts, but I'm trying to remember what I actually saw in the casinos proper. As a rule, I want to agree the women dress better then the men.

To be honest, I think that a lot of people firstly, don't quite know what looks well on them, and secondly, tend to follow the dictates of fashion without considering whether a particular item - or look - actually suits them.

On tea, as with coffee, my experience is that if you get good quality stuff, (and use a good tea pot), it makes a difference to the cup of tea that you drink.

And, on the subject of tea, I would argue that the quality of the water used assumes a far greater importance than it does even for coffee.

 

[Huntn]

To be honest, I think that a lot of people firstly, don't quite know what looks well on them, and secondly, tend to follow the dictates of fashion without considering whether a particular item - of look - actually suits them.

On tea, as with coffee, my experience is that if you get good quality stuff, (and use a good tea pot), it makes a difference to the cup of tea that you drink.

And, on the subject of tea, I would argue that the quality of the water used assumes a far greater importance than it does even for coffee.

We have hard water. I filter my water for both coffee and tea.

 

[lowendlinux]

I don't disagree, just reporting what I saw. I remember a time (1960ish) when it seemed only children and certain work professions wore blue jeans. At least I don't remember any adults wearing them around me. However, this article illustrates they were making an impact in the early 20th century as a fashion statement. It was an enjoyable to watch them transistion into high fashionability and I remember buying my first young adult pair in high school with bell bottoms (1970ish). You just had to have some.

My grandfather never wore a pair of jeans in his for this exact reason they were for kids or working people who working only. My father will still only wear jeans when working or fishing. It really is interesting you brought that up no one else ever has.

 

[kazmac]

I am so low brow compared to some here, bless you folks.

For me, Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger cut with Green Tea and some extra lemon. The idea of an afternoon tea sounds like so much fun. I don't eat most of that food though which is probably why I've never done it.

 

[0388631]

There's jeans and then there are jeans with fine material and fantastic cut. It's the same with men's dress pants. There's off the rack dress pants made with a mishmash of synthetics or you can pony up and get something that's made from fine wool and cut to perfection, then tailored to your needs, unless you required a total tailored solution for your dress pants.

Anyway, people in North America in general seem to not care about dress as much as their European or otherwise counterparts.

I am so low brow compared to some here, bless you folks.

For me, Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger cut with Green Tea and some extra lemon. The idea of an afternoon tea sounds like so much fun. I don't eat most of that food though which is probably why I've never done it.

As much as I like the finer things in life, I can appreciate Celestial's offerings whilst on the go. Into the travel mug with boiling water and off I go. I just wish they'd go a little easy on their tisane additions. A certain flower or dried berry overdone overpowers everything. I can't stand their morning thunder though.

 

[kazmac]

There's jeans and then there are jeans with fine material and fantastic cut. It's the same with men's dress pants. There's off the rack dress pants made with a mishmash of synthetics or you can pony up and get something that's made from fine wool and cut to perfection, then tailored to your needs, unless you required a total tailored solution for your dress pants.

Anyway, people in North America in general seem to not care about dress as much as their European or otherwise counterparts.




As much as I like the finer things in life, I can appreciate Celestial's offerings whilst on the go. Into the travel mug with boiling water and off I go. I just wish they'd go a little easy on their tisane additions. A certain flower or dried berry overdone overpowers everything. I can't stand their morning thunder though.

Yes, some Celestial Seasonings tea makes me feel like I'm drinking patchouii so I 100% agree there.

 

[doug in albq]

I drink:

Green,
Black,
White, and
Oolong.

All with only a dash of stevia, and always high quality, filtered water.

(Pro tip: oolong is the best)

 

[0388631]

Yes, some Celestial Seasonings tea makes me feel like I'm drinking patchouii so I 100% agree there.

Oh? Which ones. I quite like the gingerbread one with some honey or better yet, simmered in milk.

I drink:

Green,
Black,
White, and
Oolong.

All with only a dash of stevia, and always high quality, filtered water.

(Pro tip: oolong is the best)

Don't like lapsang souchong?

 

[Farond]

hot with honey

 

[jerwin]

Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe.

brewed in a pot.

poured over milk...

I get most of my Tea from Uptons.

 

[0098386]

The drink? None at all.
The food? Around 6pm. Menu varies.

 

[Huntn]

I need to determine the difference between really good versus cheap tea. Is there cheap tea? In the cupboard, I've got, Harrods Blend No.14, Market Pantry and Lipton's orange pekoe & pekoe cut black tea, and Taylors of Harrigate Yorkshire Gold which I have not yet tasted. The Market Pantry and Liptons are the most common, I can't call them subpar. Basically to my palette, tea is tea, and some of these teas, are up to 5 years old, (don't drink much tea at home) but when brewed up, they taste good to me.

 

[AlliFlowers]

but when brewed up, they taste good to me.

That's all that really matters. It's been a while, but I seem to recall really liking Taylors of Harrigate.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I need to determine the difference between really good versus cheap tea. Is there cheap tea? In the cupboard, I've got, Harrods Blend No.14, Market Pantry and Lipton's orange pekoe & pekoe cut black tea, and Taylors of Harrigate Yorkshire Gold which I have not yet tasted. The Market Pantry and Liptons are the most common, I can't call them subpar. Basically to my palette, tea is tea, and some of these teas, are up to 5 years old, (don't drink much tea at home) but when brewed up, they taste good to me.

Well, in general, I am not a tea drinker, but when I have been in central Asia I have been blown away by the quality of the tea that they had had to offer.

Now, while there are elements such as quality of water, other factors probably also applied. Thus, I assume that the tea leaves were fresher (as the region was closer to the source of where the tea would have been harvested), and also, I assume that good tea tends to be more readily available in a country where people have developed educated palates and know the difference between what is good quality tea and what is not. In other words, those selling indifferent tea wouldn't actually last long in these regions, while those selling poor quality tea wouldn't last at all.