The Tea Thread

[Obscura]

I can't be the only person whose into Tea. This is mostly a selfish pursuit to further my knowledge about teas and which ones I should pick up once my current stock begins to dwindle.

A couple months ago, I decided to start weening myself off of Soda and other more sugar enriched drinks. Granted, I doubt I'll be able to kick Dark Hot Chocolate, Thai Ice Tea and a few others, but thems the breaks, yo. Though, on that note, I can at least make them at home so I know what goes into them.

I've been brewing full leaf Wulong and Keemun Tea for when I have the time, the aroma and taste are quite satisfying, if I'm short on time, I usually just go with something along the lines of Bigelow Tea's, Mint and Raspberry seem to be fairly consistent so I stick to those.

Since I used to drink a damn ton of Tea in Florida, I've also found myself making Sweet Tea, now if I only knew how to properly fry catfish, I'd be set.

Tea suggestions, can haz?

 

[Yakoo752]

I'm a big green tea fan. Specifically the one with extra popped rice. Sooo soothing

 

[two wheel tramp]

I love Turkish cay (pronounced chai).

I also like rosehip, hibiscus and earl grey just to name a few.

 

[Obscura]

Green Tea with the extra popped rice really helps me when my allergies are kicking my ass.

If I were to go into specifics, the Wulong that I enjoy most is called Iron Monk and Iron Goddess, those two are from different Providences. Though general/mass produced versions are pretty good too.

Keemun's a staple in English Tea mixes, it's generally mass produced.

In so far and what I know from experience, steeping Keemun and Wulong teas get better each time you reuse the full leaves, up to five times. I actually like the taste/aroma around fourth and fifth times, after that it loses a lot of it's character.

I haven't had Turkish Cay, yet.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Imma bust a cap in the next mofo who says "chai tea."

Chai, Çay, Чай = Just about every language in the world's word for what we call "Tea."

I love it. Much more variety than coffee. I prefer it spiced Indian style.

I haven't had Turkish Cay, yet.

Just lightly brew about two cups of central/eastern european tea, and add about a cup of sugar. That'll get you pretty close.

 

[Obscura]

Chai Tea muthafuckah :troy (It's the only way to convey that sweetened version of tea where the masses nod their collective heads.)

Turkish Cay just sounds like a heavy version of Southern Sweet Tea.

I have to try this spicy tea.

 

[elbacalao]

I drink tea everyday but I'm far from a tea snob or even very knowledgeable about it. I prefer the decaf herbal teas. I'm a big fan of TAZO's Vanilla Rooibos and a Black vanilla tea also by TAZO. In fact I've enjoyed everything I've ever had from TAZO.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I have to try this spicy tea.

If you're referring to what I mentioned, think "Chai Tea," only lightly sweetened, with more refined spicing. Cardamom is the primary spice, but where there's cardamom, there's gotta be cloves, and where there's cloves, there's cinnamon, etc...

 

[two wheel tramp]

Now, now dr evil, I was introduced to it in Turkey where it was introduced as cay. in my house it means the turkish version when I use that word. If it's anything else, it's tea. :x

 

[Cycle61]

Subscribed to watch John's head explode.

 

[two wheel tramp]

Heyan you know which place is awesome?!? Aroma tea shop off clement. I had a blast and killed an hour drinking tea for free in their showroom. You may wind up buying tea but you get to try a bunch of varieties and learn about them.

 

[Yakoo752]

I've had "chai" in quite a few locations (as far away as the middle east)... best place to get it is at Raman's in Half Moon Bay (I have had better but stateside this is the BEST)

it's his (Raman) personal blend of spices and it is AMAZING

 

[Obscura]

I've got an aunt who makes her own Chai ( @ John ), it's spicy and the aroma is killer. She hits me when I put in milk and sugar then pour it over ice. :laughing

I think I've been to that Tea shop, it was a long time ago. Long before I actually appreciated tea that didn't come in a little triangle bag.

You have an address for the HMB Tea Shop?

 

[MtnRacer]

Jolly good, FGT.

Steve

 

[Obscura]

Oh, also tried Tazo brand a week ago. It's tasty.

Steve, you may mock me, but Cucumber sammiches are fuckin' tasty.

:raisespinky

 

[Yakoo752]

101 Main St
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

it used to be in the new leaf plaza until peets "bought" it and said no to competitors.

yelp says it all

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ramans-coffee-and-chai-half-moon-bay

you go there for ramans chai and thats it... (never ordered anything else)

 

[Gnarly Cranium]

TEA. Hell yes.

My go-to place is Red Blossom, in Chinatown. Very spiffy place, same spot Wicked Grounds gets their tea. Lady who runs it got the place from her parents, who used to run it but live back in China now, and send her the stuff from the farmers they know, in small batches. Awesome stuff.

I'm a huge oolong junkie. Huge. I finally broke down and got myself a yixing pot for my Mi Lan Xiang phoenix oolong. I drink that stuff by the gallon.

I love the way formosa oolongs smell, but the taste always leaves me a little disappointed. Wuyi oolongs tend to be too charcoal-y for my taste, without enough of the floral, Anxi oolongs seem a little bitter... phoenix oolongs are where it's at. Sooooo good. Brew it nice and hot, but only long enough to fill the pot and then empty it right away-- but keep re-using the leaves, like ten times. Crazy good. Mi Lan Xiang is called Honey Orchid, because it has this tangy bite to it like honey with a lingering floral aftertaste that goes on foreeeeeever. The leaves are rolled long and narrow, and when they unfold they are green with bright red edges.

If I'm gonna do green tea, I go full bore to matcha, but I haven't found the best spot to buy this yet.



For a more Western angle, and when I want to go out and Have Tea, I hit Leland Tea House. Awesome, awesome. Great place for a dainty lunch with tiny sandwiches and scones with devonshire cream, and teeny cupcakes, and mass amounts of Vanilla Bean Creme black tea with lots of milk and sugar. The owner is a really great guy (he's the one in the middle, runs the place with his mom on the left), and cooks up all sorts of awesome things, like the time he whipped up a batch of 16lbs of garlic roasted in bacon grease with saffron, spread on crackers and five kinds of special cheese? THE DROOLING. THE DROOLING. And the Special iced tea, white tea with peach and rose and some Bacardi 151...

 

[Obscura]

arty

I think this week will be busy with me going all over the place picking up tea.

I'm going to have to make/saute garlic bacon spread, coupled with Bruschetta.

Dig the suggestions thus far.

 

[bluenoser]

Oh, also tried Tazo brand a week ago. It's tasty.

+1 for the Tazo brewed Chai (don't bother with the liquid form). A little vanilla soy to sweeten it up works for me.

For a black tea, can't beat Red Rose. Cheap and effective!

 

[RRR70]

Weekend meet?
http://samovarlife.com/lounges/yerba-buena-gardens/