There is just something delightfully cozy about tea.
It warms (when served hot), it soothes, it calms, and it quenches a unique kind of thirst — for me, it is a thirst for tranquility.
I am sure my British readers will be scandalized by my improper tea-ing, but — just as I’m particular about my coffee — there are a few specific ways I like my tea:
- It must be hot. Not burning-the-roof-of-your-mouth hot, but still: it must be hot.
- If it has mint as an ingredient, I prefer a cupful to be served with a spoonful of honey.
- If it is a ‘red’ tea or any kind of tea containing cardamom or cinnamon: one teaspoon of sugar and a splash of milk, please.
- There is an Herbal Essences blend that I probably shouldn’t like, but I do. It’s called Sleepytime.
- I will not drink tea with the bags still in the cup. (I know, I know: proper brewing does not require bags to be in the cup. What can I say? I’m American.) I let them steep for approximately two minutes, then meticulously squeeze all the water from the bag against the side of the cup.
- Never ask me to re-use a tea bag. Get me a new one please.
- If I’m drinking tea at home, I like it in a comfy space: in my reading chair or in bed are good options; while sitting at the dining table on a Zoom meeting, not so much.
- If I’m drinking tea in a tea shop, I like little finger sandwiches and/or scones to accompany it. (And I like a loved one to accompany me.)
- Tea is not to be drunk in the morning. Unless by ‘morning’ you mean 11:00am.
- Chai tea is an acceptable substitute for coffee. Just barely.
- And iced tea is a whole ‘nother cup of tea!
Tea is one of my favorite things to drink while reading (and I am particularly fond of the “tea and scandal” gatherings held by Miss Marple and company in Agatha Christie novels), and is particularly soothing to the throat when sick. I delight in its many flavors and origins; herbals are A ThingTM where I live, but I am somewhat wary of them — too much lemon and not enough lavender combined with too-strong orange and too-weak tea leaf, too many times, have made me careful about what I’m willing to try. I am not a tea snob – indeed, I could not tell you anything about the subtle differences in flavor that depend upon growing regions or even name the specific ingredients that make up the flavors I like best (Madagascar Vanilla Red… means what, exactly?) – but my lack of sophistication in tea-ery suits me.
What kind{s} of tea{s} suit you?
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I drink a lot tea, both hot and iced. My one absolute is a pretty mug (or glass). I mostly use loose leaves, so I have a tea ball. I like black teas, and have a favorite called Vanilla Orchid which has some coconut in it as well. I like herbals as well, and my current fave has rosebuds in it, which I like to add honey to. Aesthetically, I absolutely delight in the Japanese tea flowers that “unfold” in hot water into beautiful flower shapes, but I’ve only once had one that was truly delicious. Mostly I’ve found them to be on the continuum of eh-to-awful. I don’t really like milk in my tea unless it’s boba (bubble) tea and I’ve never made that at home. And now, I’m off to boil some water. 🙂
Deborah Weber recently posted…Pointed Ponderings: T
Oooh… Vanilla orchid sounds like my cuppa tea! 🙂
I am a big time tea lover.. tea is elixir of my life. Your post made me crave for a cup and i had one too…now a days am on no milk so only ginger tea with a dash of lemon i prefer…can’t rise and shine without it..it’s funny the name chai tea :):)
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
If i hav to express my emotions well…i must post this from my old challenge ..my T post – http://afshan-shaik.blogspot.com/2014/04/t-for-tea.html
I enjoy ginger teas. They’re so zesty!
I will check out your Tea post. Thanks for sharing.
After reading lots of A to Z posts in bed this morning I will get up and have my English Breakfast tea with lemon seeing no one has brought one in for me.
Alas, it’s much more fun to have tea service delivered. 🙂
yay teas! I love!
Tisanes mostly, cos i don’t do well with caffeine after 3 and tea is always an evening beverage for me. I also like the Traditional Medicinals teas for mild ailments – echinacea, dandelion root, raspberry leaf, peppermint! They work great for me without having to resort to pharmaceuticals.
Yes, peppermint is one that works well for me too. Especially for soothing sore throats.
Tea is my caffeinated drink of choice, so I always drink it in the morning. Sleep is a challenge for me, so I switch to herbal by about 10am.
I have a local tea shop that I love. I let the owner be my expert and I just enjoy what she offers. Lately, I’ve enjoyed her chocolate cream tea, unsmoked lapsang, and breakfast Assam. For herbals, I like anything with hibiscus and fruity flavors. I’ll drink chamomile blends for relaxation.
Thanks for this! It was fun to talk tea with someone. That doesn’t happen often in my real life.
Chocolate cream tea…!!
That sounds ddelicious.
I prefer PG Tip’s black tea with milk and no sugar. And I drink it in the morning. And later too sometimes. I don’t like iced tea.
I’m not familiar with PG Tip. I wonder if that might be a regional brand?
Tea time is one of my favourites!!!
Hopping in from the A-Z community,
Dream
https://thedreamgirlwrites.wordpress.com/a-z-2022/
The Dream Girl recently posted…Tacos
It’s a whole fourth meal in some places. 🙂
Tea is my favourite – the chai tea version that you have mentioned! I hate tea bag versions.. i find them insipid and tasteless. I have heard of people using tea bags as eye packs to treat dark circles… Good post! Have a good day!!
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I think tea bags were once used as a home remedy to treat bruises.
I drink mostly imported South African rooibos. Not actually a tea, but it’s drunk as such and I love it 🙂
~ Marie xox
I have a friend who cannot drink coffee and she orders “rooibos latte”s instead. 🙂
I don’t know if you intended it or not, but after reading your article I wanted to drink a cup of tea. And it looks like I’m not the only one 🙂
Sometimes it’s exactly the thing. 🙂