Beginner's kit for iced tea
Top Spin
the health benefits of tea and I would like an alternative to colas
for something cold to keep in the refrigerator both at home and in the
office.
So, I have several questions. I'm hoping someone here can point me in
the right direction.
1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
read about the comparative health benefits of various teas?
2. What equipment do I need? A past friend of mine loved a blend of
teas from Twinings that was called Breakfast Tea, or something like
that. She used to buy it in a tin, which seemed more sensible than the
bags. She also has a wire mesh basket that she scooped up the tea
leaves in. Is this the way to go? Do I need a tea pot or can I just
boil water on the stove or microwave? Any other equipment?
3. Where can I buy good teas? I see Twinings in the supermarket. Is
that OK? Are there really good online sources?
4. What is the proper way to brew tea? In reading recent posts here,
it appears that temperature is fairly important as is steeping time.
Is there a good book or web site I can study with recipes and
procedures?
5. Can I mix tea with other beverages such as lemonade or orange juice
for variety? Are there places with suggested recipes?
6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
with tea?
7. What do I need to brew in quantity? Or is this even a good idea?
How long does tea keep in the refrigerator? I'd like to keep some tea
in the office frig for breaks. I was thinking I could brew up a few
quarts then pour it into empty water bottles and keep them in the
frig.
Thanks
--
Spam sink email address, sorry
Joanne Rosen
u may want to explore-
Her Serene Highness
"Top Spin" <Topp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:maodluctrmvkmp2be...@4ax.com...
> I would like to get started making my own iced tea. I have read about
> the health benefits of tea and I would like an alternative to colas
> for something cold to keep in the refrigerator both at home and in the
> office.
>
> So, I have several questions. I'm hoping someone here can point me in
> the right direction.
>
> 1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
> some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
> think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
> is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
> read about the comparative health benefits of various teas?
Green teas. They're also finding out that white teas may have even more
anti-oxidants. I would go to your doctor or your local bookstore, since many
of the items online are written by teasellers themselves. I would not drink
tea for this reason however- I would drink tea because I liked it. Drink the
teas that make you happy.
>
> 2. What equipment do I need? A past friend of mine loved a blend of
> teas from Twinings that was called Breakfast Tea, or something like
> that. She used to buy it in a tin, which seemed more sensible than the
> bags. She also has a wire mesh basket that she scooped up the tea
> leaves in. Is this the way to go? Do I need a tea pot or can I just
> boil water on the stove or microwave? Any other equipment?
Gosh- you make it sound like a medical experiment!
I prefer using loose tea, as do most people here. I put my tea in a tea ball
(one of those little mesh jobbies). I boil my (filtered) water on the stove-
a kettle will be fine. Then I pour the water into a pot (if I'm making more
than one cup) or a cup (if I'm making one) that is already holding the tea.
Why don't you look at the FAQ?
>
> 3. Where can I buy good teas? I see Twinings in the supermarket. Is
> that OK? Are there really good online sources?
Sigh. It's all a matter of what you like, not what some of us like. Even
the online sources are a matter of choice. You can even find out if there is
a teashop in your area so you can try out teas first. Where are you?
>
> 4. What is the proper way to brew tea? In reading recent posts here,
> it appears that temperature is fairly important as is steeping time.
> Is there a good book or web site I can study with recipes and
> procedures?
Read the FAQ.
>
> 5. Can I mix tea with other beverages such as lemonade or orange juice
> for variety? Are there places with suggested recipes?
Why would you want to? Orange juice and tea? Yuck.
>
> 6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
> with tea?
>
Never tried it- sounds nasty. I use sugar if anything. Again it's your
mouth.
> 7. What do I need to brew in quantity? Or is this even a good idea?
> How long does tea keep in the refrigerator? I'd like to keep some tea
> in the office frig for breaks. I was thinking I could brew up a few
> quarts then pour it into empty water bottles and keep them in the
> frig.
A few QUARTS? Are you having a party? Tea has caffeine, you know- you'd be
flying if you did that. Besides, it's better fresh. Why don't you go to
Gogle and read some past posts on this?
Christopher Roberson
> Read the FAQ.
Andrei Kulakov
> I would like to get started making my own iced tea. I have read about
> the health benefits of tea and I would like an alternative to colas
> for something cold to keep in the refrigerator both at home and in the
> office.
>
> So, I have several questions. I'm hoping someone here can point me in
> the right direction.
>
> 1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
> some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
> think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
> is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
> read about the comparative health benefits of various teas?
Green teas are supposed to be healthier. But it's hard to quantify
healthiness. As a purely subjective datapoint, I can say that I find
that my body takes tea much easier than colas, beer or coffee. I don't
feel much difference between black and green teas in this respect.
>
> 2. What equipment do I need? A past friend of mine loved a blend of
> teas from Twinings that was called Breakfast Tea, or something like
> that. She used to buy it in a tin, which seemed more sensible than the
> bags. She also has a wire mesh basket that she scooped up the tea
> leaves in. Is this the way to go? Do I need a tea pot or can I just
> boil water on the stove or microwave? Any other equipment?
Minimally, you need a strainer (a handle with a wire mesh basket) - you
can find one in any supermarket; and two mugs or cups.
Basic procedure is to pour hot water in a mug with tea leaves, wait for
them to steep, and pour the water through the strainer into second mug.
Obviously, this only works for 1 cup of tea, if you make more, buy
a teapot.
Teapot is not for boiling water in, but for steeping. You boil the water
in a kettle (or wherever), then pour it into the teapot with tea leaves
in the strainer basket. Janear teapots ($25 for 3 cup, $30 for 6 cup)
are transparent and look very beautiful when brewing intense-colored
teas (almost all black teas). The strainers are a bit hard to clean,
though, I was told that a hard brush works well, but haven't been able
to track on down yet; I usually make just one cup so I use mugs.
>
> 3. Where can I buy good teas? I see Twinings in the supermarket. Is
> that OK? Are there really good online sources?
I hear Twinings is good, but I haven't tried it. I tried teas from
uptontea.com and specialteas.com, and both sources are very good (at
least the teas I tried). There is a tea review site, too:
http://www.normbrero.com/cgi-bin/viewTea.cgi
How much are these teas better than "regular" teas? MUCH! I don't even
think of them as a same kind of drink, now. I at first thought it silly
how tea fans compare fine teas to expensive wines, but now I think
there's more than a little truth to that..
>
> 4. What is the proper way to brew tea? In reading recent posts here,
> it appears that temperature is fairly important as is steeping time.
> Is there a good book or web site I can study with recipes and
> procedures?
a) loose leaf tastes better. If you buy Twinings, tear the paper bags
and brew it innacup. b) black teas need boiling water, greens
- steaming, about to boil. different greens are best at different
before-boil temperatures. Good vendors tell you what the temp should
be on package c) Steep time also varies from tea to tea, good vendors
print it on package also.
>
> 5. Can I mix tea with other beverages such as lemonade or orange juice
> for variety? Are there places with suggested recipes?
No.
>
> 6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
> with tea?
Yeah - good teas are best unsweetened, imho. Except for when I make
strong assam tea, add cream and a few spoons of sugar. But lemon + honey
is also a reputable combo.
>
> 7. What do I need to brew in quantity? Or is this even a good idea?
> How long does tea keep in the refrigerator? I'd like to keep some tea
> in the office frig for breaks. I was thinking I could brew up a few
> quarts then pour it into empty water bottles and keep them in the
> frig.
A good tea's taste won't stay for long. Even if you brew it and let it
stand for 30 minutes until it's lukewarm, you can notice it's not nearly
as good. Even thought it's hot here in NYC, I can't bring myself to make
iced tea because of this - I recommend brewing a cup when you're on
a break.
>
> Thanks
>
Top Spin
I have no idea. I'm just getting into this tea thing. I was looking
for ideas. I didn't see the FAQ at first. Now I have quite a bit more
information.
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Green teas. They're also finding out that white teas may have even more
>anti-oxidants. I would go to your doctor or your local bookstore, since many
>of the items online are written by teasellers themselves. I would not drink
>tea for this reason however- I would drink tea because I liked it. Drink the
>teas that make you happy.
If I used that criteria exclusively, I'd eat nothing but chocolate.
>Gosh- you make it sound like a medical experiment!
I'm an engineer. I only know how to be methodical.
>Why don't you look at the FAQ?
I just discovered it. Very complete and informative. I have most of my
original questions answered, but now I have twice as many more! ;-)
>Sigh. It's all a matter of what you like, not what some of us like. Even
>the online sources are a matter of choice. You can even find out if there is
>a teashop in your area so you can try out teas first. Where are you?
Great idea. I live in Palo Alto, California.
>Why would you want to? Orange juice and tea? Yuck.
Hmmm... I thought you said that whatever makes me happy was OK?
>> 6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
>> with tea?
>>
>
>Never tried it- sounds nasty. I use sugar if anything. Again it's your
>mouth.
How can something "sound" nasty? Especially if you have no idea what
it is? For your edification, Splenda is a left-handed sugar molecule.
It is chemically very similar to sugar, but has zero calories. My
taste is not very discerning, I'll admit, but I can't tell much (or
any) difference from natural sugar. It has a different texture when
dry.
>A few QUARTS? Are you having a party? Tea has caffeine, you know- you'd be
>flying if you did that. Besides, it's better fresh. Why don't you go to
>Gogle and read some past posts on this?
Nope, just to keep for later so I don't have to fuss with it every
day. I'm sure fresh tea is best, but many companies sell canned or
bottled iced teas that keep for weeks or months. The main problem for
me is that they are loaded with sugar. I like some of them, but to
much sugar. I was hoping to be able to make my own but with either no
sugar at all or with something like the Splenda.
I hope that isn't too heretical. ;-)
Top Spin
<robch...@my-deja.com> wrote:
Thanks, Chris, I just found it and read it completely. Nice work.
There's a ton of information there.
Top Spin
wrote:
>Green teas are supposed to be healthier. But it's hard to quantify
>healthiness. As a purely subjective datapoint, I can say that I find
>that my body takes tea much easier than colas, beer or coffee. I don't
>feel much difference between black and green teas in this respect.
I can't tolerate either coffee or beer -- any alcohol at all, really.
I've been ordering iced tea at restaurants and trying the tea they
serve at chinese and sushi places. I didn't like it at first, but I'm
starting to acquire a taste for it. I'm guessing the chinese and sushi
teas are green teas -- at least they have a very light color. Are the
iced teas served in restaurants black teas?
>Minimally, you need a strainer (a handle with a wire mesh basket) - you
>can find one in any supermarket; and two mugs or cups.
>
>Teapot is not for boiling water in, but for steeping. You boil the water
>in a kettle (or wherever), then pour it into the teapot with tea leaves
>in the strainer basket. Janear teapots ($25 for 3 cup, $30 for 6 cup)
>are transparent and look very beautiful when brewing intense-colored
>teas (almost all black teas). The strainers are a bit hard to clean,
>though, I was told that a hard brush works well, but haven't been able
>to track on down yet; I usually make just one cup so I use mugs.
I read something about a tea-making machine -- like a coffee machine.
Are these any good?
Her Serene Highness
> On Sun, 11 Aug 2002 23:01:46 GMT, "Her Serene Highness"
> <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Green teas. They're also finding out that white teas may have even more
> >anti-oxidants. I would go to your doctor or your local bookstore, since
many
> >of the items online are written by teasellers themselves. I would not
drink
> >tea for this reason however- I would drink tea because I liked it. Drink
the
> >teas that make you happy.
>
> If I used that criteria exclusively, I'd eat nothing but chocolate.
>
> >Gosh- you make it sound like a medical experiment!
>
> I'm an engineer. I only know how to be methodical.
But even engineers can have fun- and they do relax at times. Treating tea
as if it is nothing more than a form of medication and an alternative to
soda won't get you too far in the enjoyment department.
>
> >Why don't you look at the FAQ?
>
> I just discovered it. Very complete and informative. I have most of my
> original questions answered, but now I have twice as many more! ;-)
>
> >Sigh. It's all a matter of what you like, not what some of us like. Even
> >the online sources are a matter of choice. You can even find out if there
is
> >a teashop in your area so you can try out teas first. Where are you?
>
> Great idea. I live in Palo Alto, California.
>
> >Why would you want to? Orange juice and tea? Yuck.
>
> Hmmm... I thought you said that whatever makes me happy was OK?
I don't think it would make you happy. The orange juice would destroy the
taste of the tea. Same thing with lemonade.
>
> >> 6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
> >> with tea?
> >>
> >
> >Never tried it- sounds nasty. I use sugar if anything. Again it's your
> >mouth.
>
> How can something "sound" nasty? Especially if you have no idea what
> it is? For your edification, Splenda is a left-handed sugar molecule.
> It is chemically very similar to sugar, but has zero calories. My
> taste is not very discerning, I'll admit, but I can't tell much (or
> any) difference from natural sugar. It has a different texture when
> dry.
Actually I know what Splenda is. But thank you. And for me, it still sounds
nasty.
I haven't tried curare, but that sounds nasty, too. Or Olestra, or a lot of
things- but they sound nasty. I would rather have sugar qua sugar and have
less of it- but then I've never found anything that's supposed to taste
'like' somethig to really do so. My taste buds are pretty sensitive.
>
> >A few QUARTS? Are you having a party? Tea has caffeine, you know- you'd
be
> >flying if you did that. Besides, it's better fresh. Why don't you go to
> >Gogle and read some past posts on this?
>
> Nope, just to keep for later so I don't have to fuss with it every
> day. I'm sure fresh tea is best, but many companies sell canned or
> bottled iced teas that keep for weeks or months. The main problem for
> me is that they are loaded with sugar.
The main problem for most tea lovers is that they taste bad, too. Tea does
not keep very well. If you drank two quarts of tea a day not only would your
back teeth be floating, you'd be high as a kite on caffeine.
I like some of them, but to
> much sugar. I was hoping to be able to make my own but with either no
> sugar at all or with something like the Splenda.
>
> I hope that isn't too heretical. ;-)
It's ok- chacun au son gout. But I would choose a good tea, and make it
with no sugar. I find that rose pouchong works well. Iced teas can also
work well with a touch of lemon and sugar, depending on the tea. You will
get more enjoyment out of your tea if you make it fresh fairly often- I
wouldn't let it sit for more than two days if I had a choice.
Making tea doesn't have to be complicated. Again, it's not nuclear fission.
Your water does not have to be a certain brand, the leaves don't have to be
picked by 17 year old blind nuns, the pot does not have to be made in
Northwest China from a special clay found on only one side of a mountain.
Tea isn't as methodical as some people want to make it out to be- I have
noticed a distinct gender valence in tea discussions here. Most, but not
all of the taxonomic, precision-oriented fanatics here tend to be male, and
I sometimes wonder if they actually do enjoy the te they drink. It almost
seems to be a cerebral form of machismo for some of them, like they think by
giving cold measurements and obsessing over details will make them seem less
wimpy for choosing to drink tea. I don't think tea is wimpy in any case,
but the full enjoyment comes not from having a beginner's kit; a soul, a pot
to boil water, some leaves, and a cup from which to drink the brew are all
that are really needed- that and reasonably decent water. Decent water can
usually be taken from your tap, but I like filtering mine in the Brita
first.
You might like to start with a nice darjeeling or oolong and then see what
happens. It's a very non-fussy thing to make. However, if you want true
non-fussyness, perhaps you could just pour yourself a glass of water and put
a slice of cucumber in it.
The reason I was so shocked by your post is that I knew you were in the US,
a place where people make fresh iced tea all the time, particularly at this
time of year. Your questions, quite frankly, made it sound like you were
raised on a tiny island in the Pacific where no one had ever heard of tea or
drank it- such esoterica (orange juice?) I have never seen before.
Her Serene Highness
> On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 04:40:03 GMT, Andrei Kulakov <ro...@silmarill.org>
> wrote:
>
> >Green teas are supposed to be healthier. But it's hard to quantify
> >healthiness. As a purely subjective datapoint, I can say that I find
> >that my body takes tea much easier than colas, beer or coffee. I don't
> >feel much difference between black and green teas in this respect.
>
> I can't tolerate either coffee or beer -- any alcohol at all, really.
> I've been ordering iced tea at restaurants and trying the tea they
> serve at chinese and sushi places. I didn't like it at first, but I'm
> starting to acquire a taste for it. I'm guessing the chinese and sushi
> teas are green teas -- at least they have a very light color. Are the
> iced teas served in restaurants black teas?
Chinese restaurants serve black teas. The color of the liquid is not always
related to the type of tea, although many greens produce green liquid.
And most of the teas served in restaurants is shit tea. At Chinese
restaurants it's usually cheap orange pekoe, and at Japaneese it's usually
cheap green.
>
> >Minimally, you need a strainer (a handle with a wire mesh basket) - you
> >can find one in any supermarket; and two mugs or cups.
> >
> >Teapot is not for boiling water in, but for steeping. You boil the water
> >in a kettle (or wherever), then pour it into the teapot with tea leaves
> >in the strainer basket. Janear teapots ($25 for 3 cup, $30 for 6 cup)
> >are transparent and look very beautiful when brewing intense-colored
> >teas (almost all black teas). The strainers are a bit hard to clean,
> >though, I was told that a hard brush works well, but haven't been able
> >to track on down yet; I usually make just one cup so I use mugs.
>
> I read something about a tea-making machine -- like a coffee machine.
> Are these any good?
Some people swear by them. It depends on the machine. Most people here
prefer brewing by hand which takes only a few moments longer. Besides,
different teas have different brewing times. and most of the Stateside
machines don't take that into account.
If I were you, I wouldn't worry about machines- I'd find out whether I liked
tea or not. As I suggested in another post, you might want to try a decent
Darjeeling or something of that order. Go to a supermarket that stocks some
tea brands like Twinings and read the labels. This will give you an idea of
what various teas taste like, how to make iced tea (you are getting way
ahead of yourself here) and why you dont't put lemonade or orange juice in
it. Buy one that sounds appealing, brew some tea,put it in the frig, and
then taste it. If you like it, you have a plan. If you don't tell us how
it tasted- if it was too weak or too strong, that can be adjusted. I
wouldn't start making gallons yet.
I'm not an engineer, but when I'm curious about an age-old food product that
is readily available, I go to the supermarket, but some, and figure out if I
like it. Most products that have to be fooled with have directions and
serving suggestions. But since I've met engineers and have heard pretty
much all the engineering jokes that exist, I better understand your
questions. They want strict formulas for everything, even things that don't
have strict formulas.
Andrei Kulakov
> On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 04:40:03 GMT, Andrei Kulakov <ro...@silmarill.org>
> wrote:
>
>>Green teas are supposed to be healthier. But it's hard to quantify
>>healthiness. As a purely subjective datapoint, I can say that I find
>>that my body takes tea much easier than colas, beer or coffee. I don't
>>feel much difference between black and green teas in this respect.
>
> I can't tolerate either coffee or beer -- any alcohol at all, really.
> I've been ordering iced tea at restaurants and trying the tea they
> serve at chinese and sushi places. I didn't like it at first, but I'm
> starting to acquire a taste for it. I'm guessing the chinese and sushi
> teas are green teas -- at least they have a very light color. Are the
> iced teas served in restaurants black teas?
No idea..
>
>>Minimally, you need a strainer (a handle with a wire mesh basket) - you
>>can find one in any supermarket; and two mugs or cups.
>>
>>Teapot is not for boiling water in, but for steeping. You boil the water
>>in a kettle (or wherever), then pour it into the teapot with tea leaves
>>in the strainer basket. Janear teapots ($25 for 3 cup, $30 for 6 cup)
>>are transparent and look very beautiful when brewing intense-colored
>>teas (almost all black teas). The strainers are a bit hard to clean,
>>though, I was told that a hard brush works well, but haven't been able
>>to track on down yet; I usually make just one cup so I use mugs.
>
> I read something about a tea-making machine -- like a coffee machine.
> Are these any good?
I know that coffee making machines aren't very good because their
temperature is usually not optimal and they dont' give you flexibility
in steeping; I bet the same is true for most if not all tea machines.
There are good, expensive (about $80) kettles with preset temperatures
for both black and greens, but greens have different brewing temps.. so
even then you'd need to adjust for some manually.
Generally, if you compare tea to coffee, it's very equipment-light. To
make good coffee, you want at a minimum a zassenhaus mill ($50),
a roaster ($10), and a good vacuum pot ($40). Then you start thinking of
an acceptable espresso machine ($300) and a better grinder for it
($100). Then you start thinking of better espresso machine :-).
You can make perfect tea with two mugs and strainer ($2) and a saucepot
or kettle to boil water.
- Andrei
>
> Thanks
>
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >Gosh- you make it sound like a medical experiment!
>>
>> I'm an engineer. I only know how to be methodical.
>
>But even engineers can have fun- and they do relax at times. Treating tea
>as if it is nothing more than a form of medication and an alternative to
>soda won't get you too far in the enjoyment department.
Curious. How do you know that I'm not having fun? Maybe, for me, doing
medical experiments IS fun!
>> >Sigh. It's all a matter of what you like, not what some of us like.
Er, uhmmm, but... unless what I like is doing medical experiments?
>> >Why would you want to? Orange juice and tea? Yuck.
>>
>> Hmmm... I thought you said that whatever makes me happy was OK?
>
>I don't think it would make you happy. The orange juice would destroy the
>taste of the tea. Same thing with lemonade.
Nantucket Nectars has a drink they call "Half & Half". It's supposedly
half iced tea (presumably a black tea?) and half lemonade. It's one of
my favorite drinks. Delicious. Now, it's not tea, for sure. The
lemonade taste is a lot stronger than the tea taste, but the tea taste
is definitely in there. I suppose if you compare it to pure tea, and
pure tea is what you enjoy, then H&H may not suit you. But my goal is
different -- at least right now. My main problem with the NN H&H is
that it's loaded with sugar. I'd like to make my own version and
sweeten it with something other than sugar or, maybe, not sweeten it
at all.
Now, I am ALSO willing to try the pure teas all of you suggest and I
will. And, I may come to love them as much as you do, but it would
make it easier for me if I weren't told that my ideas are yucky -
especially ones that I have already tried and like. My palate is
probably not very mature or sophisticated, but maybe it will develop.
But it will develop faster with encouragement rather than dismissal.
>It's ok- chacun au son gout.
Great. I was getting worried there... ;-)
>But I would choose a good tea, and make it
>with no sugar. I find that rose pouchong works well. Iced teas can also
>work well with a touch of lemon and sugar, depending on the tea. You will
>get more enjoyment out of your tea if you make it fresh fairly often- I
>wouldn't let it sit for more than two days if I had a choice.
OK, I'll give that a try.
>Making tea doesn't have to be complicated. Again, it's not nuclear fission.
>Your water does not have to be a certain brand, the leaves don't have to be
>picked by 17 year old blind nuns, the pot does not have to be made in
>Northwest China from a special clay found on only one side of a mountain.
What a relief -- I hear those blind nuns are expensive!
>Tea isn't as methodical as some people want to make it out to be- I have
>noticed a distinct gender valence in tea discussions here. Most, but not
>all of the taxonomic, precision-oriented fanatics here tend to be male, and
>I sometimes wonder if they actually do enjoy the te they drink. It almost
>seems to be a cerebral form of machismo for some of them, like they think by
>giving cold measurements and obsessing over details will make them seem less
>wimpy for choosing to drink tea.
Gosh, what a lot of psychoanalysis from just some usenet posts. Is it
possible that at least some of them simply enjoy details and
methodology? There is clearly too much machismo in the world and
testosterone is probably a bit out of control, but it might be an
error to tar everyone with the same brush just because of gender. You
ladies have rightly been rather incenses over that exact stereotypical
characterizations for a few centuries now. Reverse discrimination is
largely falling out of favor.
>I don't think tea is wimpy in any case,
I never said it was...
>but the full enjoyment comes not from having a beginner's kit; a soul, a pot
>to boil water, some leaves, and a cup from which to drink the brew are all
>that are really needed- that and reasonably decent water. Decent water can
>usually be taken from your tap, but I like filtering mine in the Brita
>first.
I just hope my "soul" is up to snuff! ;-)
>You might like to start with a nice darjeeling or oolong and then see what
>happens. It's a very non-fussy thing to make. However, if you want true
>non-fussyness, perhaps you could just pour yourself a glass of water and put
>a slice of cucumber in it.
You keep making these extreme attributions
>The reason I was so shocked by your post is that I knew you were in the US,
>a place where people make fresh iced tea all the time, particularly at this
>time of year. Your questions, quite frankly, made it sound like you were
>raised on a tiny island in the Pacific where no one had ever heard of tea or
>drank it- such esoterica (orange juice?) I have never seen before.
Sorry to have shocked you. I'm just asking questions.
Actually, I was raised in a rather sheltered and parochial little
backwater in the midwest where the food and drink habits would truly
shock you. I managed to escape, but, I fear, the legacy lingers...
I'll try, with your help, to be more enlightened! ;-)
Thanks for the insights.
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>And most of the teas served in restaurants is shit tea.
Is that a technical term? Does it refer to the quality or the
ingredients?
>If I were you, I wouldn't worry about machines- I'd find out whether I liked
>tea or not. As I suggested in another post, you might want to try a decent
>Darjeeling or something of that order. Go to a supermarket that stocks some
>tea brands like Twinings and read the labels. This will give you an idea of
>what various teas taste like, how to make iced tea (you are getting way
>ahead of yourself here) and why you dont't put lemonade or orange juice in
>it. Buy one that sounds appealing, brew some tea,put it in the frig, and
>then taste it. If you like it, you have a plan. If you don't tell us how
>it tasted- if it was too weak or too strong, that can be adjusted. I
>wouldn't start making gallons yet.
Good advice, thanks.
>I'm not an engineer, but when I'm curious about an age-old food product that
>is readily available, I go to the supermarket, but some, and figure out if I
>like it. Most products that have to be fooled with have directions and
>serving suggestions. But since I've met engineers and have heard pretty
>much all the engineering jokes that exist, I better understand your
>questions. They want strict formulas for everything, even things that don't
>have strict formulas.
You make some excellent points, but non-engineers can be just as
obsessive and single-focused. Engineering tools and approaches are mch
more widely applicable than most people think. It's not the
engineering approach that's skewed so much as certain engineers.
Similarly, the "intuitive" approach is also much more widely
applicable than many engineers acknowledge or understand. It's just
some intuitive types who disdain all other approaches that are the
problem. Health is being able to utilize something from all
approaches. But in order to do that, one needs to understand and
appreciate them.
Natarajan Krishnaswami
> For your edification, Splenda is a left-handed sugar molecule.
> It is chemically very similar to sugar, but has zero calories.
Minor correction: Splenda's active ingredient is not L-sucrose but
sucralose, which is produced by replacing three of the hydroxyl groups
in sucrose with chlorine.
N.
Top Spin
wrote:
Quite right, my error. I was going on memory and I should have looked
it up. Here's a website with details:
http://www.onlinebangalore.com/heal/tips/splenda.html
Her Serene Highness
> On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 12:32:24 GMT, "Her Serene Highness"
> <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> >Gosh- you make it sound like a medical experiment!
> >>
> >> I'm an engineer. I only know how to be methodical.
> >
> >But even engineers can have fun- and they do relax at times. Treating
tea
> >as if it is nothing more than a form of medication and an alternative to
> >soda won't get you too far in the enjoyment department.
>
> Curious. How do you know that I'm not having fun? Maybe, for me, doing
> medical experiments IS fun!
Well, for me, too- but not treating my food as it it was mostly medicinal.
That's what I meant. When Archie came here he did something similar. And
we had another poster who wrote up pseudo-scientific reviews that really
said nothing but sounded impressive.
>
> >> >Sigh. It's all a matter of what you like, not what some of us like.
>
> Er, uhmmm, but... unless what I like is doing medical experiments?
Well, then you can come to my house. But that's a topic for off-list-
otherwise people might get jealous. :)
>
> >> >Why would you want to? Orange juice and tea? Yuck.
> >>
> >> Hmmm... I thought you said that whatever makes me happy was OK?
> >
> >I don't think it would make you happy. The orange juice would destroy
the
> >taste of the tea. Same thing with lemonade.
>
> Nantucket Nectars has a drink they call "Half & Half". It's supposedly
> half iced tea (presumably a black tea?) and half lemonade. It's one of
> my favorite drinks. Delicious. Now, it's not tea, for sure. The
> lemonade taste is a lot stronger than the tea taste, but the tea taste
> is definitely in there. I suppose if you compare it to pure tea, and
> pure tea is what you enjoy, then H&H may not suit you. But my goal is
> different -- at least right now. My main problem with the NN H&H is
> that it's loaded with sugar. I'd like to make my own version and
> sweeten it with something other than sugar or, maybe, not sweeten it
> at all.
It's the orange juice that got me. Feel free to make half anf half until it
comes out of your ears, but you might want to try some plain black iced teas
first.
>
> Now, I am ALSO willing to try the pure teas all of you suggest and I
> will. And, I may come to love them as much as you do, but it would
> make it easier for me if I weren't told that my ideas are yucky -
> especially ones that I have already tried and like. My palate is
> probably not very mature or sophisticated, but maybe it will develop.
> But it will develop faster with encouragement rather than dismissal.
Sorry. I'm cranky today. But my tastes aren't always mature and
sophisticated- heck, I'd buy from a tea vendoor called Fun Alliance! :)
As it should- but at least one other man here has noticed it too. I didn't
say all men here are like that, but a few are- as are a few women. I said
'tend to be male', not 'all male'.
>
> >I don't think tea is wimpy in any case,
>
> I never said it was...
I know you didn't. I'm commenting on my observation.
>
> >but the full enjoyment comes not from having a beginner's kit; a soul, a
pot
> >to boil water, some leaves, and a cup from which to drink the brew are
all
> >that are really needed- that and reasonably decent water. Decent water
can
> >usually be taken from your tap, but I like filtering mine in the Brita
> >first.
>
> I just hope my "soul" is up to snuff! ;-)
You'll be fine. Tea makes the soul grow.
>
> >You might like to start with a nice darjeeling or oolong and then see
what
> >happens. It's a very non-fussy thing to make. However, if you want true
> >non-fussyness, perhaps you could just pour yourself a glass of water and
put
> >a slice of cucumber in it.
>
> You keep making these extreme attributions
No- you said you don't like coffee or beer, and you are cutting back on
soda. There are only three things lft- juice, tea, and water. One we're
discussing, the other is outside the purview of this group, and that leaves
one- water.
>
> >The reason I was so shocked by your post is that I knew you were in the
US,
> >a place where people make fresh iced tea all the time, particularly at
this
> >time of year. Your questions, quite frankly, made it sound like you were
> >raised on a tiny island in the Pacific where no one had ever heard of tea
or
> >drank it- such esoterica (orange juice?) I have never seen before.
>
> Sorry to have shocked you. I'm just asking questions.
>
> Actually, I was raised in a rather sheltered and parochial little
> backwater in the midwest where the food and drink habits would truly
> shock you. I managed to escape, but, I fear, the legacy lingers...
>
> I'll try, with your help, to be more enlightened! ;-)
You mean- they had no teapots? Not one?
Her Serene Highness
> On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 12:48:31 GMT, "Her Serene Highness"
> <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >And most of the teas served in restaurants is shit tea.
>
> Is that a technical term? Does it refer to the quality or the
> ingredients?
restaurant teas has long been discussed here.
True. I'm an anthropologist- so I use both, or try.
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>It's the orange juice that got me. Feel free to make half anf half until it
>comes out of your ears, but you might want to try some plain black iced teas
>first.
Thanks, I think I will. I also plan to try many of the things you
suggest, too.
>> Actually, I was raised in a rather sheltered and parochial little
>> backwater in the midwest where the food and drink habits would truly
>> shock you. I managed to escape, but, I fear, the legacy lingers...
>>
>> I'll try, with your help, to be more enlightened! ;-)
>
>You mean- they had no teapots? Not one?
I was raised in northern Utah. No teapots.
Her Serene Highness
> On Mon, 12 Aug 2002 21:08:58 GMT, "Her Serene Highness"
> <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >It's the orange juice that got me. Feel free to make half anf half until
it
> >comes out of your ears, but you might want to try some plain black iced
teas
> >first.
>
> Thanks, I think I will. I also plan to try many of the things you
> suggest, too.
I'm think you might end up liking your half and half fresh- I'd use fresh
lemon juice for the lemonade, as well as fresh tea. Lemon complements tea
better than any other citrus juice. While orange rind is used in some teas,
the juice is overpowering.
Darjeeling is a good tea because it can have good flavor without any pesky
additives, like bergamot. Bergamot, which tastes like licorice, is found in
Earl Grey, which happens to be the world's favorite tea, but not everyone
likes it. Orange Pekoe makes a very good iced tea. So do the oolongs.
With iced tea, most people make the tea a bit stronger than usual so that it
will stand up to the ice and sugar, and often a squeeze of lemon.
>
> >You mean- they had no teapots? Not one?
>
> I was raised in northern Utah. No teapots.
AHHH. Now I get it. Why didn't you say so? I've known several people from
Utah- your questions now make sense. If I may be so bold, are you no longer
a practicing Mormon, or did you just live in the state?
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I'm think you might end up liking your half and half fresh- I'd use fresh
>lemon juice for the lemonade, as well as fresh tea. Lemon complements tea
>better than any other citrus juice. While orange rind is used in some teas,
>the juice is overpowering.
>Darjeeling is a good tea because it can have good flavor without any pesky
>additives, like bergamot. Bergamot, which tastes like licorice, is found in
>Earl Grey, which happens to be the world's favorite tea, but not everyone
>likes it. Orange Pekoe makes a very good iced tea. So do the oolongs.
>With iced tea, most people make the tea a bit stronger than usual so that it
>will stand up to the ice and sugar, and often a squeeze of lemon.
I'll try it several ways and report back, because I just know that you
are dying to know the results of my medical experiments.
>> >You mean- they had no teapots? Not one?
>>
>> I was raised in northern Utah. No teapots.
>
>AHHH. Now I get it. Why didn't you say so? I've known several people from
>Utah- your questions now make sense. If I may be so bold, are you no longer
>a practicing Mormon, or did you just live in the state?
I left the church almost 30 years ago.
Carrie Supenia
@www.rainforestbio.com/happyrainforest it taste great eather hot or
cold thanks carr...@webtv.net
Ian Bartholomew
news:ux_59.17316$Dn.32...@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> . Bergamot, which tastes like licorice, is found in
> Earl Grey, which happens to be the world's favorite tea
Is that documented somewhere or was it just an "off the cuff" remark?
Comparing the number of boxes of the more common teas (Typhoo/PG Tips) to
the number of boxes of Earl Grey on my local supermarket shelves would tend
to indicate the opposite.
Is it an underground thing perhaps?. Are there lots of smoky back street
dives (along the street, down to the basement, knock twice and ask for
"Bergie") where copious quantities of Earl Grey are being drunk by large
groups of consenting adults. :-)
I did wonder if any of the tea vendors that read this group have published,
or might publish, figures giving the rough percentages of
plain/blended/flavoured tea they sell. It could be interesting....
Ian
Michael Plant
13:19n...@po.cwru.edu
Thanks be to God that someone was able to clarify that. Now I can sleep.
Michael
Her Serene Highness
"Ian Bartholomew" <new...@idb.me.uk> wrote in message
news:hr369.90$sE1.19582@stones...
> "Her Serene Highness" <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ux_59.17316$Dn.32...@twister.nyc.rr.com...
>
> > . Bergamot, which tastes like licorice, is found in
> > Earl Grey, which happens to be the world's favorite tea
>
> Is that documented somewhere or was it just an "off the cuff" remark?
> Comparing the number of boxes of the more common teas (Typhoo/PG Tips) to
> the number of boxes of Earl Grey on my local supermarket shelves would
tend
> to indicate the opposite.
Typhoo/PG Tips is rarely found in the US. Very rarely found. It is an off
the cuff remark- I read it somewhere and I'm really not sure of the truth of
it. As it happens, the taste doesn't agree with me.
>
> Is it an underground thing perhaps?. Are there lots of smoky back street
> dives (along the street, down to the basement, knock twice and ask for
> "Bergie") where copious quantities of Earl Grey are being drunk by large
> groups of consenting adults. :-)
Might be- anything is possible.
Wesley Neal Williams
Not sure about exact percentages, but I believe Special Teas and Upton Teas
both have a 'Bestsellers' list. And usually Earl Grey is right up there
near (or at) the top, along with some kind of Irish Breakfast blend.
N.
Ian Bartholomew
news:uli657h...@corp.supernews.com...
> Not sure about exact percentages, but I believe Special Teas and Upton
Teas
> both have a 'Bestsellers' list. And usually Earl Grey is right up there
> near (or at) the top, along with some kind of Irish Breakfast blend.
Interesting, I'll have a look.
On further reflection though I don't think the figures, even accurate ones,
from an online store would really be much use. I don't know about the rest
of the world but here in the UK the amount of tea sold through online shops
must be miniscule compared to that sold via supermarkets. Extrapolating
total sales from online results would, statistically, be a bit dangerous :-)
Ian
Wesley Neal Williams
Aaron Kapp of Rishi Tea in Wisconsin tells me that online sales of tea
account for a mere 5% of his company's gross sales. Interesting, no? Of
course, Rishi Tea is a broker, catering to hotels, restaurants, retail
stores, etc.; so the situation may be different for those smaller vendors
who only sell tea online.
N.
Rae
>Bergamot, which tastes like licorice
Strange tastebuds. :)
Rae
Jenny
"Rae" <rae...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020813154553...@mb-dd.aol.com...
It always ends up tasting to me like I've ground some pepper in my
tea..... :)
Jenny
Richard Bornstein
"Top Spin" <Topp...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:maodluctrmvkmp2be...@4ax.com...
> I would like to get started making my own iced tea. I have read about
> the health benefits of tea and I would like an alternative to colas
> for something cold to keep in the refrigerator both at home and in the
> office.
>
> So, I have several questions. I'm hoping someone here can point me in
> the right direction.
>
> 1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
> some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
> think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
> is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
> read about the comparative health benefits of various teas?
>
> 2. What equipment do I need? A past friend of mine loved a blend of
> teas from Twinings that was called Breakfast Tea, or something like
> that. She used to buy it in a tin, which seemed more sensible than the
> bags. She also has a wire mesh basket that she scooped up the tea
> leaves in. Is this the way to go? Do I need a tea pot or can I just
> boil water on the stove or microwave? Any other equipment?
>
> 3. Where can I buy good teas? I see Twinings in the supermarket. Is
> that OK? Are there really good online sources?
>
> 4. What is the proper way to brew tea? In reading recent posts here,
> it appears that temperature is fairly important as is steeping time.
> Is there a good book or web site I can study with recipes and
> procedures?
>
> 5. Can I mix tea with other beverages such as lemonade or orange juice
> for variety? Are there places with suggested recipes?
>
> 6. I use a sweetener called Splenda. Is there any problem using that
> with tea?
>
> 7. What do I need to brew in quantity? Or is this even a good idea?
> How long does tea keep in the refrigerator? I'd like to keep some tea
> in the office frig for breaks. I was thinking I could brew up a few
> quarts then pour it into empty water bottles and keep them in the
> frig.
>
> Thanks
Top Spin
<nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> 1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
>> some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
>> think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
>> is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
>> read about the comparative health benefits of various teas?
>
>Green teas. They're also finding out that white teas may have even more
>anti-oxidants. I would go to your doctor or your local bookstore, since many
>of the items online are written by teasellers themselves. I would not drink
>tea for this reason however- I would drink tea because I liked it. Drink the
>teas that make you happy.
Do you have information that green (or white) teas possess more health
benefits than, say, black or oolong? Can you point me to references?
I promise I'll really drink the tea because I really like it and it
makes me happy.
It's a little like finding a wife (or husband). I would only marry
somene I really loved and who made me happy, but I may as well go look
in places where women who like the same things that I do might be more
likely to be. Since there are so many varieties of each type of tea,
I'm sure I can find something I like in each category so I might as
well start looking in the healthiest group.
Is that OK? ;-)
Her Serene Highness
> On Sun, 11 Aug 2002 23:01:46 GMT, "Her Serene Highness"
> <nysm...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> 1. One of my objectives is health related. I've read that at least
> >> some types of teas have beneficial effects such as anti-oxidants. I
> >> think I read that this is only (or mostly) true of green teas (or was
> >> is black teas) as opposed to the herbal teas. Is there anyplace I can
check the websites for 'Science' and 'Nature', and various medical journals.
I saw an online article about whit tea the other day, but I can't remember
where. Try Google.
> I promise I'll really drink the tea because I really like it and it
> makes me happy.
>
> It's a little like finding a wife (or husband). I would only marry
> somene I really loved and who made me happy, but I may as well go look
> in places where women who like the same things that I do might be more
> likely to be. Since there are so many varieties of each type of tea,
> I'm sure I can find something I like in each category so I might as
> well start looking in the healthiest group.
>
> Is that OK? ;-)
It's fine. I'm not the school marm, at least when I'm not getting paid.
rachel
And it does NOT taste just like sugar -- at least, to me. Very
disappointing, since it's used in all sorts of low-carb (my current
diet, which seems to be working) recipes. And I have a whole box of
the stuff!
I suspect someone else with a palate that can distinguish between
white teas etc. might also detect that distinct artificial (nasty)
splenda taste. But someone who (as the original poster) already uses
the stuff might as well try it in tea.
Rachel
[oh, and my suggestion for the OP: Buy some decent -for teabags-
teabags. There's lots of opinions, but liptons, tetleys, twinings seem
to sell consistently. Republic of tea actualy have some fairly good
teas in bags, but they're awfully pricy. And you're trying --
initially, at least-- to match the generic stuff you get served in
restaurants, right?). I'd go with the twinings multi-flavor box. Boil
water. Add boiled water & teabag to mug(s). Steep one mug for 2
minutes, one for 3 minutes, etc. See if you like the taste. Either
pour over ice or let sit in the fridge a while. See if you like the
taste. Add sugar (gradually (it does dissolve better in hot tea, or
make up a simple syrup if you're feeling adventurous -- equal parts
sugar & water boiled to dissolve & then cooled). See if you like the
taste. Add a little lemon juice (from an actual lemon, none of that
RealLemon(tm) stuff). See if you like the taste. Instead of the
sugar/lemon, try mixing with the fruit juice of your choice. See if
you like the taste. It's not 'traditional', but you could try adding
milk (or the dairy of your choice), especially to any tea you've
brewed that's too 'tannic' -- which is a sort of acrid bitterness.
Indulge your scientific bent by taking meticulous notes. Consider
posting them here, so that every summer when people start asking "How
do you make iced tea?", we'll have something to refer them to. (I
always want to say: "Tea. Ice. Next?).
And if you end up with a box of mediocre teabags, buy some mint
tea(bags) & combine (in equal parts) -- as iced tea, it's fairly
refreshing even when made with that stuff my mother insists on buying
<g>. (but NEVER combine mint & Lapsang souchong -- even if you love
lapsang! Which at least one poster will respond to this message to
tell us he doesn't. Again, <g>. Part of my mind was making a moroccan
mint, the other part wanted a british afternoon blend -- that's the
*only* time I've just dumped the stuff down the drain).
Once you've got comfortable with that (or when it gets cold out <g>),
you might want to start getting into whole-leaf teas. These are
generally considered to be better quality than the stuff in bags, but
an absolutely wonderful black (hot) tea might make a mediocre iced
tea. I agree that you should get a mug-sized strainer -- either metal
or that plastic mesh. Regardless of your opinion about leaf-expansion,
they're much easier to clean out.
And if you want to try green tea iced, go for it.
R]
Natarajan Krishnaswami
> And it does NOT taste just like sugar -- at least, to me. Very
> disappointing, since it's used in all sorts of low-carb (my current
> diet, which seems to be working) recipes. And I have a whole box of
> the stuff!
For low carb, i just leave out sugar. :-)
But it's basically impossible for a veg*n to go atkins or zone, so the
carbs i leave out are simple carbs. Except for desserts/lactose. But
I figure the working out 7 days a week makes up for the occassional
cappucino or chai or paper bag of amazingly ripe nectarines, so....
> I suspect someone else with a palate that can distinguish between
> white teas etc. might also detect that distinct artificial (nasty)
> splenda taste. But someone who (as the original poster) already uses
> the stuff might as well try it in tea.
It works for me just to leave sugar out of iced tea. Most of the hot
black teas I drink are fine without sugar (mmm, weak lichee or strong
keemun). Green, oolong, pu erh or white teas, I rarely (never) add
milk/sugar to.
If you can spend the $5 to get a mug-sized filter basket at Barnes and
Noble, or the approx. $20 to get a Chatsford pot, you'll be pleased.
At an Indian or Middle Eastern grocery, a decent Ceylon will run you
$6 for 500g.... Ethnic grocery tea (especially if in NYC and the
grocery is Kalustyan) is a fine place to start with loose leaf. Or an
SE Asian grocery with Yamamotoyama "sencha" or gen-mai cha (which is
quite a good "comfort" tea).
> (but NEVER combine mint & Lapsang souchong -- even if you love
> lapsang! Which at least one poster will respond to this message to
> tell us he doesn't.
Actually, I rather like that combo... Also LS + Earl Grey.
ObNYC: Looks like I might be in NYC for lunch/dinner on Tuesday (to
get some Khvanchkara wine for some friends (a favorite of St*lin, from
Republic of Georgia, in the Brighton Beach area); any rec's for tea
places (other than Wild Lily, where I'll try to make it anyway)?
N.