Tea Recommendations

[AngryABCGirl]

Well, after the teapot thread, we might as well talk about good teas.

I'm pretty faithfully devoted to Ten Ren for Chinese teas since that's what I've been weaned on. I also have the yellow tin can of jasmine.

Lately I've gotten into black teas with milk, mostly just rather english breakfast tea or earl grey. Anyone with good recommendations on what brand teabags are good? I've just been buying generic brand black tea from the supermarket and the Tazo earl grey.

[haplesshobo]

Lately I've gotten into black teas with milk, mostly just rather english breakfast tea or earl grey. Anyone with good recommendations on what brand teabags are good? I've just been buying generic brand black tea from the supermarket and the Tazo earl grey.

Dude, I think you've just lost your Chinese Pass by admitting that.

[AngryABCGirl]

Dude, I think you've just lost your Chinese Pass by admitting that.

Because I drink tea with milk? I started milk tea in Taiwan actually because that's what they had downstairs at the breakfast shop on the corner of my apt. It's irking the hell out of me how to replicate it. I guess everyone else going to a generic breakfast shop last their Chinese pass too. Do you know any good Black tea brands?

[Zombie Dave]

yorkshire gold label is the BEST


Well, after the teapot thread, we might as well talk about good teas.

I'm pretty faithfully devoted to Ten Ren for Chinese teas since that's what I've been weaned on. I also have the yellow tin can of jasmine.

Lately I've gotten into black teas with milk, mostly just rather english breakfast tea or earl grey. Anyone with good recommendations on what brand teabags are good? I've just been buying generic brand black tea from the supermarket and the Tazo earl grey.

[AngryABCGirl]

What about Bigalow? I got a rasberry green tea box and took it to work, but I wasn't that impressed. It was neither big on the flavor nor the tea.

I've heard a lot about Lupicia, a Japanese-importer, but I haven't been impressed. They have a lot of flavored teas, but I've yet to see a flavored warm tea both big on flavor and tea. Most trade strong of tea taste for slight tinge of favor. Many just works better in ice teas. It might just be because a lot of Japanese tea is lighter than Chinese tea. I like genmaicha teabags the Japanese supermarket.

The Foojoy teabags taste okay. I had a box of jasmine tea, but I didn't think it was as good as Ten Ren's, but Foojoy has some flavors Ten Ren doesn't have.

Does anyone know if any other SF tea company has good tea? I see these big tins of tea that cost way less than Ten Rens for the same size sometimes at stores, but I don't know the brand or anything so I've been afraid to buy.

[kimpossible]

Dude, I think you've just lost your Chinese Pass by admitting that.

Then a lot of Taiwanese lost it as well because green tea is the staple but red tea and coffee are boutique. Haven't you ever had canned milk tea like gogocha or milk tea candy?

Anyhow, Dave's the Brit so I assume his standard is gold. We go through a lot of Twinings. Easy to get, brews strong enough.

[SunWuKong]

Because I drink tea with milk? I started milk tea in Taiwan actually because that's what they had downstairs at the breakfast shop on the corner of my apt. It's irking the hell out of me how to replicate it. I guess everyone else going to a generic breakfast shop last their Chinese pass too. Do you know any good Black tea brands?

i think maybe he was talking about the English breakfast tea or the earl grey. but you shouldn't exactly make milktea out of your pu er or your tie guan yin. i did see one Indian co-worker drinking earl grey once and i told him he's not Indian.

anyway, i'm drinking a 龍井茶 at work currently. it's just some cheapo brand i got that came in a can. it's not that great. but what do i know? i don't have sophisticated tastes.

anyway, for your milktea - are you using condensed milk? don't know about Taiwan, but that's what they do in HK.

[AngryABCGirl]

i think maybe he was talking about the English breakfast tea or the earl grey. but you shouldn't exactly make milktea out of your pu er or your tie guan yin. i did see one Indian co-worker drinking earl grey once and i told him he's not Indian.

anyway, i'm drinking a 龍井茶 at work currently. it's just some cheapo brand i got that came in a can. it's not that great. but what do i know? i don't have sophisticated tastes.

anyway, for your milktea - are you using condensed milk? don't know about Taiwan, but that's what they do in HK.

Oh btw, I'm sure indians love british tea.

It's not really condensed milk as much as some hybrid form of half and half for the cold black tea. It's something similar to what pearl milk tea is made out of, but not exactly. They just said it was ngai jing (? not home now to type in Chinese), which I don't know what that is in English. Probably why I can't replicate it. For the warm tea they mixed Earl Grey with something similar, but I have no idea what it was. It might have been condensed milk, but it wasn't as thick.

I've been having my breakfast tea with soymilk more these days, I can't drink evaporated milk or half and half crack milk everyday anymore without gaining weight like I could in Asia. I remember when I went to HK for vacation once I drank like two milk teas everyday for a week and drank a lot but still lost weight. Asia = amazing. I've also seem to become more and more lactose intolerant lately. I think I might be getting to an age were my body is totally rejecting milk enyzme things.

I'm really into tie guan yin/monkey pick? tea though. I haven't been able to find any good quality tie guan yin in the states, but I'm not willing to shell out 50 bucks for a can of tea though. I like the smoky flavor of it and tung ting oolong. I almost never like drinking Chinese tea made outside of Taiwan though.

I've been going to a hipster independent coffee shop with some ridiculous amount of teas, but they all suck and it's mostly fair trade herbal tea, which I find disgusting. It's hard to fine good cafes in the US with a wide selection of teas that actually have a thick flavor that isn't a boba-type shop, which invariably is filled with teenagers at all hours of the tea or loud music. I came across and Orange Blossom White tea that I actually like though. I'm try to buy some of my own and try it with more leaves and maybe it'll taste stronger. It's a White Tea, which tastes almost like nothing. It's a huge craze right now or something, but I don't see what's the big deal.

Yes, I like tea.

[SunWuKong]

Oh btw, I'm sure indians love british tea.

maybe. but this particular Indian co-worker was actually born and raised in the Midwest. i was just fucking around with him. imagine that, an Indian guy in IT that's not actually from India. it was funny whenever his parents came from the Midwest to visit him, because he would bring this cornbread to work that his mother made, but it all tasted like samosa.

[AngryABCGirl]

maybe. but this particular Indian co-worker was actually born and raised in the Midwest. i was just fucking around with him. imagine that, an Indian guy in IT that's not actually from India. it was funny whenever his parents came from the Midwest to visit him, because he would bring this cornbread to work that his mother made, but it all tasted like samosa.

How does that happen? Did she reuse the oil after boiling the samosas? Aren't samosas made from potato... and cornbread from corn? Speaking of which, my fobby parents love cornbread. They really shun away from American baked goods, but they love cornbread. They buy tons of it from Ralphs, which is pretty much the only thing they buy there.

Speaking of other teas, has anyone tried POM tea? http://www.pomwonderful.com/pomTeaHome.html

I see people reusing the bottles as glasses all the time, but they're so expensive. Is it worth trying one?

[deez nuts]

I'm not a tea drinker. But a lot of tea drinkers I know order from Peet's tea?

My parents have some high end teas from Taiwan and Shanghai that they received from friends and relatives when they visited there. I usually take them and regift them. I'll look at some of the names for you.

[Craig]

Speaking of other teas, has anyone tried POM tea? http://www.pomwonderful.com/pomTeaHome.html

I see people reusing the bottles as glasses all the time, but they're so expensive. Is it worth trying one?I like their Blackberry & Lychee teas. The lychee has more of a flavor similar to the real lychee. They also have the huge jugs that are a better deal for the size. If I'm going to save money on food / drinks, it'll be by not eating out, not by skimping at the grocery store.

[kimpossible]

My parents have some high end teas from Taiwan and Shanghai that they received from friends and relatives when they visited there. I usually take them and regift them. I'll look at some of the names for you.

I'd guess a lot of it from Taiwan will be Gao Shan or Ah Li Shan.

[tommyhtown]

... it was funny whenever his parents came from the Midwest to visit him, because he would bring this cornbread to work that his mother made, but it all tasted like samosa.

That cracks me up.

I used to work at a French-based oil&gas company. They have an espresso machine in the kitchen, which is hawked by my Indian coworkers using the milk steamer. The whole process of making a cup of tea would take 10-15 mins. It involves microwaving milk/tea I don't remember, and steaming the milk with sugar mixed in or something.

[Sunflare]

I'm just a regular Lipton tea, milk and sugar, at the coffee stand, type of guy.

[eos]

i like to put lemon and honey in my tea. it's just really comforting to me.

and guess what i found on my favorite site?

honibe "honey drop" !!!!! (http://www.honibe.com/honibe_honey_drop.html)

cute cute cute!!!!

[kimpossible]

I would eat them. And I mean probably the whole box. At one sitting.

[eos]

LOL.....yeah me too.

this (http://cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com/2008/02/no-thats-not-popcorn-in-my-tea.html) just looks like it would smell *so* good? has anyone tried this?

oh and i really really like the barley(?) tea they serve in korean restaurants. i like the aroma.

EDIT: btw.....CUTE BABY!!!!!!

[kimpossible]

genmaicha! yes, of course. i grew up with that more than any other tea. it's good. i prefer that, mugicha (barley tea) and matcha to most other teas. except milky english breakfast tea.

[eos]

i have to get me some. oh, i love tea!!!!

[Zombie Dave]

That cracks me up.

I used to work at a French-based oil&gas company. They have an espresso machine in the kitchen, which is hawked by my Indian coworkers using the milk steamer. The whole process of making a cup of tea would take 10-15 mins. It involves microwaving milk/tea I don't remember, and steaming the milk with sugar mixed in or something.

shit, my IQ is plummeting. i was thinking i read this before somewhere, then i just realized i read this HERE yesterday.

oh god.

[Sunflare]

Can I have a small Lipton tea w/milk light and sweet please? :throws change on counter:

http://www.tenement.org/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/product_nyccoffee.jpg

[snailpoo]

I'd guess a lot of it from Taiwan will be Gao Shan or Ah Li Shan.

Oooo.... 高山茶 is my favorite. Unfortunately, it's tough to find in New York.

[CARDINAL009]

Does anyone know if any other SF tea company has good tea? I see these big tins of tea that cost way less than Ten Rens for the same size sometimes at stores, but I don't know the brand or anything so I've been afraid to buy.

My favorite SF tea company is Red Blossom tea (http://www.redblossomtea.com/)

In Berkeley, my favorite place is Teance (http://teance.com/)

Both places have good Oolong tea. If you have questions, ask away.

[applehead]

Well, after the teapot thread, we might as well talk about good teas.

I'm pretty faithfully devoted to Ten Ren for Chinese teas since that's what I've been weaned on. I also have the yellow tin can of jasmine.

Lately I've gotten into black teas with milk, mostly just rather english breakfast tea or earl grey. Anyone with good recommendations on what brand teabags are good? I've just been buying generic brand black tea from the supermarket and the Tazo earl grey.

earl grey happens to be my favorite flavored black tea.
and i've tried a lot of earl greys from packaged tea to loose tea.
bigelow has the most pure bergamot flavor there is.

the other tea brands, i find that they're too flowery and
it overwhelms the bergamot scent.
and the second best is harney's earl grey supreme.
although their regular earl grey comes in third.

bigelow is suprisingly good for the price tag.
i've never tried their green teas so... but green teas are
usually very light in flavor, no?

LOL.....yeah me too.

this (http://cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com/2008/02/no-thats-not-popcorn-in-my-tea.html) just looks like it would smell *so* good? has anyone tried this?

oh and i really really like the barley(?) tea they serve in korean restaurants. i like the aroma.

EDIT: btw.....CUTE BABY!!!!!!

those are some drool worthy teapots
on that link the blogger added.
i love it.

[kimpossible]

Oooo.... 高山茶 is my favorite. Unfortunately, it's tough to find in New York.

Would you like me to be your dealer? I can get you some in June/July. Wait, you're Taiwanese?

[eos]

^i'm not taiwanese, but i would like you to be my dealer. it's mostly for my mommy.

[kimpossible]

Gao Shan, I'm assuming? And yes, we get at least midgrade.

[eos]

my mom and stepdad like to relax with a cup of tea after dinner. this would be a nice gift for them.

[kimpossible]

I'll talk to my people. See what we can make happen for the both of you. :P

[eos]

THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK you!!!!!

[snailpoo]

Would you like me to be your dealer? I can get you some in June/July. Wait, you're Taiwanese?

My parents are Taiwanese. I appreciate the offer, but I found it a place in Chinatown that has it.

[Sunflare]

NYC Chinatown? Which streets is it on ?

[AngryABCGirl]

My parents are Taiwanese. I appreciate the offer, but I found it a place in Chinatown that has it.

What brand is it?

[Sunflare]

Can you get it packaged in teabags, or as loose tea?

How much does it cost?

Why is the sky blue?

[snailpoo]

NYC Chinatown? Which streets is it on ?

What brand is it?

Hong Kong Supermarket (Elizabeth and Grand? Elizabeth and Broome?) occasionally has 高山茶, especially near the holidays.

Can you get it packaged in teabags, or as loose tea?

According to my uncle the tea snob, good tea is always loose.

[Sunflare]

Hong Kong Supermarket (Elizabeth and Grand? Elizabeth and Broome?) occasionally has 高山茶, especially near the holidays.

Ohhhh !!! Yeah! Right by the Manhattan Bridge right ? I think I know where now. It's closer to Grand Street. I think right by the Chrystie St. Park. (with the handball courts and the small soccer field) Gotcha.

Wait, there's another one off Canal and Mott but I can't recall at the moment. But it's a huge supermarket, that I do remember.

There's one in Brooklyn Chinatown and in Flushing, Queens too.

[AngryABCGirl]

I just bought a bunch of 高山茶 (High Mountain Tea) today. I went on a Ten Ren raid. I've decided I'm gonna go with Ten Ren for my Chinese teas, I haven't been that impressed with anything else.

[yoMAMA]

I just bought a bunch of 高山茶 (High Mountain Tea) today. I went on a Ten Ren raid. I've decided I'm gonna go with Ten Ren for my Chinese teas, I haven't been that impressed with anything else.

i wish we have ten ren here in minneapolis...

haha yeah right like that's ever gonna happen. :wink:

[kimpossible]

^Dry your tears. Type tenren.com into your browser.

[AngryABCGirl]

revive!


Green tea bags? What's the best? Ironically green tea is the least tea I own.

[ism]

If you like fruity stuff, Mighty Leaf makes some interesting stuff... I like the green tea tropical. Loose leaf bags.

As for plain green tea bags... Stassen is pretty cost-effective. It's also good for converting coffee drinkers.

Stash makes a green tea chai bag that's interesting.

Currently, I like Ten Ren's Ten Wu oolong but I just got some Adagio Ti Kuan Yin and it's awesome in its own right (both loose). I alternate between gen mai cha and white tea to start my morning.

[DragonKnight]

Hmm, interested in matcha tea. Anyone have any recommendations?

[ism]

Hmm, interested in matcha tea. Anyone have any recommendations?
I like Maeda-En's and Adagio's.

[DragonKnight]

I like Maeda-En's and Adagio's.
Cool, I'll give those a try. Thanks! :smile: