Yesterdays entry was rather lofty; time for a tea break.
In the past few weeks, several Spo-fans have e-mailed me to ask various questions about on my own opinions of tea. I thought I would arrange some of the inquiries in interview form.
When and how did you start drinking tea? I started drinking tea when I was around 6 years old. I had a nanny and yes she was British. “Bessie” would have all her kiddies over and host tea parties. We learned how to drink tea and the manners around a proper afternoon tea. The other early influence was my maternal grandmother, who drank tea rather than coffee. Her choice was Red Rose. To this day when I have a cup of Red Rose tea I think of her.
How does one learn about tea? The answer is simple really: try as many types as you can! There a lot of varieties; you never know what you like until you try it. One of my teachers said tea is like learning about lovemaking – you do it discreetly, privately, and with passion.
Do you use tea bags? I do, epecially when I travel, for this is the best way to guarantee getting a real cup, no rubbish. The shredded bits of tea found in tea bags is called “dust”. And most is as good as dust. However, if you start with a good quality tea, its dust can make a cuppa. I recommend Twinings Tea as a good source for consistent quality tea bags. And you can get a variety pack to try the different types.
Would you buy tea at a Coffee Shop? The aroma of coffee is stronger than the aroma of tea, so the taste of the latter is often blocked by the former. So, it is hard to drink tea overwhelmed by the smell of the beans. Coffee house staff usually don’t know how to brew a decent cup of tea – at least not here in the United States. In Canada I can get a decent cup of tea even in most diners. I confess I find it amusing to go to Starbucks and order a cup of tea, if only to see the reaction.
What about the water? Yes, it is important. “Bad water” ruins tea. Start with fresh cold running water. Ofttimes local water has minerals and other trace elements. Always try to use filtered water. Bad water makes tea either taste all the same or worse, taste bad.
If I drink tea, will my life change? Heavens, what a question! Why don’t you start drinking some and find out?
What is your favorite tea? This is like asking what is my favorite wine. It all depends on my mood and the circumstances. In the morning, I like a good strong wake me up black tea. Barry’s is my favorite. I put milk in it. In the afternoon I like green tea. Oolong tastes best after a meal. I suppose the writer of this question really wants to know is what is ‘my favorite’. That is Margaret’s Hope, which is an ‘estate tea’ from India. It is a darjeerling tea. I like my darjeerling “second growth”. This is tea made from leaves picked in the second round of harvest.
If I have you over, would you make me some? Yes, I would love to. When should I come over? I’ll provide the tea if you provide the kettle. If that is what you meant !
24 comments
January 27, 2011 at 1:07 AM
Tai
Are you naked when drinking tea?
January 27, 2011 at 4:59 AM
Urspo
No, not really The photo is an attempt at humor. Drinking hot beverages while naked is a hazard: I tend to spill things
January 27, 2011 at 4:14 AM
bandittalks
Splendid. What about iced tea? Do you drink/like?
January 27, 2011 at 4:58 AM
Urspo
Yunnan is a Chinese ‘red’ tea (black) that stands up to hours in the sun wtihout becoming bitter. I used loose leaf Yunnan. I’ve learned not all black teas make good iced tea. For example – Barry’s is wonderful hot but too bitter for iced tea.
January 27, 2011 at 4:30 AM
Will
Our current favorites are lychee black tea, lapsang souchong, Prince of Wales (all bought in bulk from internet suppliers, and three Twinings teas: Earl Gray, English and Irish Breakfast, although it is becoming harder and harder to find Twinging loose leaf teas in any supermarket in this area (which includes Boston).
January 27, 2011 at 4:43 AM
Lemuel
I must consume about 5 cups of Red Rose each day. Which reminds me that I must get some this week at the store. (And I’ve got a box filled with the little figurines that come with each box.)
January 27, 2011 at 4:52 AM
Cubby
May I use a microwave oven to heat my water, or do I need to buy a tea kettle?
January 27, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Urspo
I don’t know. It is worth trying – one cup kettle cooked/other nuked. ALWAYS pour the water over the tea, not tea into hot water – really! This makes a difference !
January 27, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Bill J
Somehow, I don’t think Mr. Narrator from Lesson No.1 woudl approve. If I recall correctly, there were specifc instructions that the the water come to a rolling boil, but not be boiled too long lest it become flat (and insipid).
Also, if you microwave the water you loose the chance to use that wonderfully teasing invitation to a conversation when you hear the beginnings of a great bit of gossip or a story “Oh. Let me put the kettle on!”
January 27, 2011 at 8:33 PM
Cubby
I was thinking about the narrator when I asked the question. I just don’t want to pay money for something I’ll use once. I got cupboards full of stuff I’ve used once, including an egg poacher and an ice cream maker. What was I thinking?
January 27, 2011 at 9:09 PM
Bill J
Cubby, I imagine that you may already have an appropriately sized covered saucepan on top of the stove that will work very well. If you use the old chem lab trick of pouring the water down the side of a butter knife to direct the stream of water into the teapot you will have a perfectly workable solution. Unless, of course you want to be disciplined by Mr Narrator in the Reform School for Bad Boys who Make Tea Improperly. With apologies to Dr. Spo for using more than my share of comment space.
January 27, 2011 at 4:56 AM
Sean
Oh. My Stars. And. Garters. Um…did you actually write anything in this post because, well, um…
January 27, 2011 at 5:08 AM
Urspo
The questions are a collection of emails sent to me, and questions I read/heard at websites on tea. The answers are my own, with one quotation from a tea expert from his youtube video I receive no pay from Red Rose, Twinings, or Barry’s – alas ! No animals were harmed in the making of this blog entry.
January 27, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Sean
Apparently I was too subtle so I’ll be a little more direct:
Shirtless pictures of you keep my attention so I never notice anything else that may be in your post…I was implying that I hadn’t noticed anything you had written because your picture had me entranced.
Sigh. The pretty ones are always a little slower….
January 27, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Urspo
dumb and dizzy – that’s me darling !
January 27, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Shawn
Wow, can I come over for shirtless tea?
I am ready to convert from my coffee if that is the case.
January 27, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Mark
Got it! m.
January 27, 2011 at 8:05 AM
Aunt Barb
I’ll be over and I want to learn about Bessie?
January 27, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Raybob
You are such a charming flirt 🙂
I admit to being a coffee-drinker of many decades; there are pictures of me in my high chair drinking my morning cup of black coffee. I love tea, and I’m also unreasonably neurotic about getting my cup of coffee first thing – and it has to be *good* coffee.
Certain friends have suggested I begin drinking tea, but I’m just not sure! Coffee is such a friend. Maybe I can start seeing Mr. Tea on the side …
January 27, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Chris (in Phily)
I have given up coffee for the last few months so I have switched to tea. Caffeine-free teas. I have quite a collection of herbal teas. I sleep alot better now since switching to tea.
January 27, 2011 at 2:35 PM
anne marie in philly
if you come to my house for tea, we must both go shirtless.
WOOF regarding today’s picture!
January 27, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Ron
Now Spo why did you have to go and do THAT? Here I am at my job as a guest service representative (aka front desk clerk) at this quaint botique hotel in Lewes, DE reading your “Tea” blog. I’m all absorbed in all the ramifications that I had no idea existed in types of tea and when and how to drink it and I scroll down and see this picture of you NEEKED! My knees went weak and I almost fell down. Good thing there weren’t any guests in the lobby to witness my jaw dropping in shock. I must say that tea has taken on a whole new flavor to me after reading your post. Nice pic at the end too. You sure do know how to get a guy’s attention (you devil you.)
January 29, 2011 at 9:28 AM
BosGuy
I like tea too, but mostly at night. My latest obsession w/ tea is “Mem Tea” – Lemon Chamomile…
BTW – like the pic w/ no shirt.
January 29, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Urspo
thank you for stopping by! I am honored so. Chamomile is a lovely cup, for when I want to be at ease.