Getting into Tea

[davewittwer]

I've been trying to drink more tea and less coffee, looking for some suggestions on tea. There is a food CoOp next to my office so i spluged and bought a $2.00 tea ball and some bulk tea. I'm drinking a mint green right now but not getting a whole lot of mint out of it. I like bold flavors, any suggestions would be great.

 

[Tennessee Dave]

Try some Keemun, Golden Needles and of course the high mountain oolongs. I order a lot of teas and have found the ones from the American Tea Room to be of excellent quality. Another that I really like is the First flush Darjeelings with that wonderful muscat flavor. There is a big exciting world out there to explore.

 

[jonboy]

@ChefBoyRG54 should be able to assist you on your journey.

 

[Clint]

Apparently green tea should be your choice! http://www.botl.org/threads/drink-green-tea.78216/

 

[BourbonBinder]

Where are you from, lets start there. I own a specialty café and Coffee Roaster, we also have an Artisan Loose Leaf Tea Line. I might be of some assistance to you're new interest. My friend and co-owner is the coffee expert, I myself am the Tea Specialist. Happy to help out and share my passion
'

 

[TonyRome]

Yo @ChefBoyRG54 we got one to go!!! Lol

 

[davewittwer]

@Clint, i read that a few days ago. I'm down.

@BrewsBro13 in in Minnesota

Just looking for some suggestions and retailers or new sources other than the Republic of Tea I buy next door

 

[BourbonBinder]

I've been to A Republic of Tea location in Annapolis, MD. They aren't bad. Does your location have the jars of tea on the wall that invite you to nose it?
Well thankfully you live closer to California than I do, check out this company: Art of Tea
http://www.artoftea.com/

They are simply the best when it comes to hand blended artisan tea, they offer loose leaf teas and whole leaf sachets in eco pyramid bags. I've cupped over 20 of the most known tea companies around the USA and Art of Tea is simply the best I've had thus far. I would stock them for our café had it not been for the distance; I'm located in Central Jersey. I met some of the Advisors of Art of Tea on a business trip in Seattle; a massive industry convention called Coffee Fest.

 

[davewittwer]

I've been to A Republic of Tea location in Annapolis, MD. They aren't bad. Does your location have the jars of tea on the wall that invite you to nose it?
Well thankfully you live closer to California than I do, check out this company: Art of Tea
http://www.artoftea.com/

They are simply the best when it comes to hand blended artisan tea, they offer loose leaf teas and whole leaf sachets in eco pyramid bags. I've cupped over 20 of the most known tea companies around the USA and Art of Tea is simply the best I've had thus far. I would stock them for our café had it not been for the distance; I'm located in Central Jersey. I met some of the Advisors of Art of Tea on a business trip in Seattle; a massive industry convention called Coffee Fest.

I'm going to have to check them out. I'm just using a teaball right now, is there a better way to make loose leaf or should i stick with this for a while?

 

[luckysaturn13]

Awsome thread! Im getting more into tea myself since I quit drinking

 

[jonesry09]

subscribed.... I was actually just saying to my wife how I want to supplement some of the coffee drinking with tea hahah

 

[Kingpin]

I've been getting my tea from TeaGuys.com. I drink their Assam CTC in the morning as it has more caffeine in it and their Dragons Well green tea in the afternoon. the Assam is a black tea and can be strong flavor wise and most drink it with milk and sugar, but I just leave it black. As far as brewing goes I found a place that sells empty tea bags so I just use those. Less mess.

 

[BourbonBinder]

I'm going to have to check them out. I'm just using a teaball right now, is there a better way to make loose leaf or should i stick with this for a while?

Great!! By teaball I'm assuming you mean "Blooming Tea", where it flowers in the tea pourer?? I wouldn't say there's a better way to make loose tea, just an easier-less time consuming way. All you would need is a Tea pot (preferably glass) with a Tea Infuser apparatus of some sort (there are many alike), which are sold in most tea shops. Blooming is just a form of loose tea, we use it as a spectacle and show piece for our customers.

 

[davewittwer]

Great!! By teaball I'm assuming you mean "Blooming Tea", where it flowers in the tea pourer?? I wouldn't say there's a better way to make loose tea, just an easier-less time consuming way. All you would need is a Tea pot (preferably glass) with a Tea Infuser apparatus of some sort (there are many alike), which are sold in most tea shops. Blooming is just a form of loose tea, we use it as a spectacle and show piece for our customers.

Maybe i'm calling it by the wrong name. I have a little wire mesh ball with with a chain on it that i fill with loose tea and then steep in my cup. I ussually drink tea at my office so i just microwave the cup of water....thinking of getting a hot water pot fromy office though.

 

[luckysaturn13]

id like to find something that taste yummy to me and has a high caffeine content so I can quit wasting money on monster and redbull

 

[BourbonBinder]

Maybe i'm calling it by the wrong name. I have a little wire mesh ball with with a chain on it that i fill with loose tea and then steep in my cup. I ussually drink tea at my office so i just microwave the cup of water....thinking of getting a hot water pot fromy office though.

I see what you mean now. Those are the most common with loose teas. That would be the way to go, I find microwaving the water gives it a funny taste (but if that's the only option now, I understand).

 

[BourbonBinder]

id like to find something that taste yummy to me and has a high caffeine content so I can quit wasting money on monster and redbull

You might like most Black and Darjeeling Tea's, they usually pack the most caffeine. Or check out a Masla Chai (its a spiced tea). Some black tea's are blended with Tisane (fruit and herbal), which helps blend and infuse the stiff taste of black tea with something light (apple, peach, blueberry)

 

[luckysaturn13]

You might like most Black and Darjeeling Tea's, they usually pack the most caffeine. Or check out a Masla Chai (its a spiced tea). Some black tea's are blended with Tisane (fruit and herbal), which helps blend and infuse the stiff taste of black tea with something light (apple, peach, blueberry)

Awesome! thank you. When it comes to teas im completely lost.... its almost like bra shopping..wow that one looks cool! lol

 

[davewittwer]

Drinking a Gunpowder Green Tea this afternoon and there is a defineate smokeyness to it. So far I'm really enjoying my venture into teas.

 

[luckysaturn13]

Drinking a Gunpowder Green Tea this afternoon and there is a defineate smokeyness to it. So far I'm really enjoying my venture into teas.

smokiness? Hmm i gota try it! I miss my scotch where did ya find it?