What has happened to our tea?

Before we fitted a water softener our tea was awful. I eventually found Yorkshire Tea for hard water and it was a revelation! The tea was drinkable with no horrible scum on the surface. Since the water softener I have started buying Twinings Teabags because Aldi always have them on offer. Really couldn't be doing with the faff of tealeaves - I have far too much of that with my coffee fetish.

Loose Yorkshire tea in a china teapot. Water must be boiling and the pot warmed. Can't stand fruit or herbal teas although they might make good cologne to dab behind my ears. Also don't like de-caffeinated tea but always have de-caffeinated coffee. It does make a difference dependent on the water in any particular area.

This year I've developed a taste for fruit teas and it hasn't worn off as quickly as it has done in the past. That means I have worked my way through the old boxes of various kinds of fruit tea bags in the cupboard. After using a fair number of them I looked at the Best Before dates on the boxes and found a range from 2008 back to 2001. Still here, and they all tasted fine!

The best cup of (real) tea we ever had was Assam in Exeter when we fulfilled an ambition to have a cream tea. Great experience!

Agree Ginny as to method, except we have Rington's.
I strain the leaves and put them on the compost heap.

There is a big difference in teas especially bags and leaves.
I like Early Grey and this various in taste from supplier, if you find something you like stay with that supplier.
Shop around.