Tea questions time

I only used to drink coffee. I was always bemused by the older generation's love of tea, particularly my mother and my parents in law, it was if their life depended on a cup of tea as soon as they arrived at our house. I think I used to liken it to drug dependency. Now I have gone from drinking coffee all day to two cups in the morning and from midday I now find I just have to have tea, I don't like any of the poncy Earl Grey stuff good old builders, something like Yorkshire tea, although I have to admit tea tastes best drunk out of china.

Glad to see you've discovered Cornish gingerbread Envious I mostly drink Tetley's although I like Clipper fair Trade tea too. Perhaps my husband should let you into the secret of real builder's tea, which was apparently made by mixing tea leaves, water, sugar and sterilised (yuck) milk together in a billy can and boiling it up over a brazier. No wonder he only drinks coffee now

Oh - in summer I sometimes like iced tea - closed jar of water with tea leaves allowed to infuse in the fridge.

I only drink tea once a day - a mug-full in the afternoon.

Twining's loose Assam, warmed pot, filtered water - rolling boil. Pour it about three minutes later, NO MILK, a couple of sweeteners - lovely.

Sometimes I'll enjoy a pot of Darjeeling for its delicate flavour - no sweeteners there.

Flicketyb,are you still around? I was wondering do you use a strainer when you pour your tea or a straining holder for your lose tea?I find it so messy.

nellemoser,It would have been smarter to of just steal the tea! They just didn't know any better and went for the drama!

I enjoy tea and in the summer we drink tons of it cold with ice and lemon. I don't put sugar in it. I didn't by Typhoo,almost bought Builders but I have trouble with B.P. and don't need the extra caffeine! Bought Cornish gingerbread cookies instead! Calories being the lesser of two evils?

EnviousA This is a good question coming form an American. We thought all you over the pond did with tea was to dump it in Boston Harbour! That is no way to make a good brew! You have to let it mash properly.

Yorkshire tea now. I don't like PG tips its too bitter for me. I have been through, Typhoo and Tetley.
I had to stop DH buying Sainsburys Red Lable. I need a decent cup of tea and I am not going to compromise over that.

I also drink large quantities over the course of a day. I am not a fan of Liptons yellow lable but its often all you can get abroad.

The Tea we had in the Canaries in Feb was not good to start with. As we were a group we did get them used to making it by the pot and by the end of the week they were beginning to understand it. The tea bags weren't very good quality though.

PG Tips in a big mug in my greenhouse, potting up seedlings and chatting to my cat who considers it 'our time'. Bliss!

I don't really like tea, so the only time I drink it is when unwell, thinking that perhaps I'll feel better if I have a cup of tea. Everyone else in the family drinks Tetley tea, the stronger the better.

I drink about 8 - 10 cups a day,ideally of PG Tips or Yorkshire which I bring back from England, but once that runs out I can get Tetleys or Liptons Yellow Label in France. In a mug, a little milk, no sugar. I can't stand scented tea of any kind, or fruit teas.
The French have no idea how to brew tea - I still get a cup of hot water with a tea bag on the side, no matter how often I explain that the water has to be boiling when it is poured on the bag.
Tea is very good for you - I believe it has antioxidant properties. Not that I would care if it wasn't - I am totally addicted.

I have Rington's tea delivered [posh emoticon]
I usually make it in a pot, though I have teabags for single cups or when DH is brewing up as he can't be bothered with leaves, strainers etc.
Since retiring, I quite often get my china tea set out for the 4pm cuppa

Cannot stand the sight of tea bags, they remind me of......., well I spare you the detail, so I use loose tea, usually single country Kenya/Ceylon/Assam or English Breakfast from Waitrose. I like it fairly strong with just a dash of milk and no sugar. Must be drunk out of a proper pottery or china mug. Never plastic or paper.

Usually just have one cup a day mid afternoon but if DD is with us, I drink it almost hourly all day. DD daughter is a tea fanatic who really dislikes coffee.

Ceylon tea for breakfast and Earl Grey in the afternoon; red bush the rest of the day. I never have milk or sugar with any form of tea and the Ceylon and Earl Grey are made with leaf tea in a pottery teapot. And I don't like it strong. , anyone?

Any Assam tea. Good and strong with a bit of flavour.

Agree about getting more bang for your buck , although at the moment the exchange rate is not as favourable to us as it has been in previous years .

Heyho , you win some , you lose some , I know i will still have a good time .

Thanks for the response,need to go to the store,I'll try Typhoo next. Havent seen Tick Tock.

Nonu I was a) being polite, b) covering my back .

Thanks for info Enviousamerican. That'squite flattering but you probably wouldn't like the overcrowding, especially here in the South East.

Petallus,your beautiful country! Your there and I'm not! But not your cost of living! Come over here to visit and get more bang for your buck! No £ !

Why did you then ?

By the way Enviousamerican I can't help wondering what you are envious of.

(for the pedants, of what you are envious?)

I know I shouldn't ask

Oh heavens, I only drink one cup of tea a day, but I am really fussy about it! Must be a bone china mug, tea bag, currently PG pyramid, strong but not over brewed (put bag in, pour on water and give several good squeezes, then out) the tiniest dash of milk and THREE spoons of sugar!

Coffee, on the other hand must never be in a bone china mug, and only has 1 sugar, preferably vanilla sugar.

Ordinary tea for first thing, Earl Grey after that, the odd herbal (raspberry and ginseng).

In big mugs.

I drink caffeine free organic rooibos tea, my favourite brand is Tick Tock. I am also partial to a cup of Twinings Earl Grey.

DH will drink any brand that is currently on offer.