I don’t drink coffee. I don’t drink wine. I don’t even drink soda. And until now, yes, you guessed it: I don’t drink tea. But how can I be a self-proclaimed new Anglophile if I don’t embrace that most quintessential of British things, tea?
So I decided several times a week I would try a new type of tea, until I either a) found one I liked, or b) got used to drinking it and just kept doing so out of habit (hey, it worked for my years on caffeine-free Diet Coke). Luckily for me, my cousin Joy and childhood friend Heather were wholly supportive of this endeavor, and sent me tea samples. Like, LOTS of tea samples. I might be set for tea for the next six months. We shall see.
Each week, I shall report in on my adventures with tea. Week One’s choice? Trader Joe’s Ginger Pear White Tea. I like ginger. I like pear. And someone told me white tea was among the mildest of teas.
First thing learned: do not drink the tea too quickly after heating up the water. You will burn your lip (ouch). Second thing learned: tea still tastes like tea. Only this time, I’m appreciating the ginger/pear undertones, and also realizing
the warmth of the tea, as well as its taste, means I’m sipping it slowly. I have to savor it, in other words, whether I want to or not.
So I’d say Tea Day, Week 1 is a success. Sure, I’ve only tried one type, but I’m still drinking it!
How about you? Are you a tea fanatic? What are your favorite – and least favorite – types? Any tricks of the trade?
If you’re an Anglophile, are you putting milk in your tea? 😉
Oh, is that a requirement? See, so much to learn! I think first I’ll try them naked (the tea naked, not me), and then go from there.
Just made me spit on my screen. 😉
Bwah ha ha. Is that very British, or very non-British of me?
I have less experience with the Brits than the Irish. I might be coming at this all wrong. 😉
Nothing’s wrong if you’re naked. Right?
I love tea. I mostly drink herbal tea, but also green tea. Black tea is not for me. Some of my favorites: Bengal Spice by Celestial Seasonings (this is THE herbal tea, nothing else like it on the market, brew for 10 minutes) Dry Desert Lime by Numi (very biting, with bitter lime edges), a local four flower blend (chamomile, lavender, hibiscus, rose) for when I need to feel like a fairy, organic green genmaicha by Eden Foods, Passion by Tazo (you can get this at Starbucks)
*writes all of those down* I have so much to learn. Thank goodness cool people around me can educate me. 🙂
I love drinking tea. My favourite is Rooibos (red tea) I like the flavoured ones like Vanilla Rooibos or Chocolate Hazelnut Rooibos. Your pear ginger sounds great though. (Some white or green tea in the morning is OK for me) I don´t put milk in my tea BTW. Have fun experimenting.
Thanks, Darlene! I have never heard of Rooibos, though I think someone else mentioned it. More for me to try! Today I sampled a pumpkin chai, but I think I made it too weak. Still, the quest continues!