Have you tried the Tetley "British Blend" that you can get at US groceries? It's got 1/4 gram less tea per bag, but the flavor is very near the real deal and they sell it near me for $2.50 for a box of 80 tea bags.
Another option for you guys is to come down here and visit me. There's a huge international food store called Jungle Jim's that carries the real thing... unfortunately we pay import price of about $4 for a 0.89p package of the tea...
I once brewed a side-by-side comparison of "British Blend" to the real thing. The purple box stuff was slightly lighter in color and just slightly weaker. It was a barely noticeable flavor difference once I put in the milk and sugar, though.
On the subject of tea and its proper preparation, I wonder what one should do if they are (or are serving) someone who is lactose intolerant. Can a cup of tea be proper if served "black"?
We have an amazing selection of teas in South Africa and if US customs didn't return the damn stuff to sender I would send Icrontic HQ a whole selection just to prove that I wasn't kidding.
You have to try Rooibos tea sometime. It can be an aquired taste to some but is unique to SA and if brewed correctly you can't beat the taste!
I really like rooibos, but I can't be sure that the stuff we get here is authentic. The best I had was in Minneapolis at a tea house that I later found out was in a very Moroccan neighborhood.
There are very few brands that I would openly recommend. The rest of the stuff they package is swill. The trick to brewing Rooibos is to put it in a pot on the stove and boil the cr*p out of it. Then boil the milk and add it to the tea.<br>Add sweetener to taste.
Sledge, my all time favorite tea is Market Spice's signature orange spice tea. My family buys it loose by the pound, but you can get it online here or they sometimes have it in gift bags at Eddie Bauer stores. The cinnamon orange flavor is great.
I use to be engaged to a half hippy health food store freak who introduced me to herbal teas. Peppermint and Chamomile tea is excellent before bed! And ginger root with roasted carob and hibiscus make an excellent morning brew.
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AnnesTripped Up by Libidos and HubrisAlexandria, VAIcrontian
edited September 2007
On the subject of tea, I saw a really cool site the other day.
An ex-professional-tea-taster will blend up a unique tea for someone in your life based on what you say about their personality. A little cheesy (and expensive!), I know, but it's cute!
There are very few brands that I would openly recommend. The rest of the stuff they package is swill. The trick to brewing Rooibos is to put it in a pot on the stove and boil the cr*p out of it. Then boil the milk and add it to the tea.<br>Add sweetener to taste.
Oh dear me no. One simple doesn't boil Tea. It is an art form that demands time, care and patience. One needs to pour boiling water over the leaves then leave it to do its magic.
I once brewed a side-by-side comparison of "British Blend" to the real thing. The purple box stuff was slightly lighter in color and just slightly weaker. It was a barely noticeable flavor difference once I put in the milk and sugar, though.
I had to wipe an eye when I read this. I never thought I'd ever read anything by an American that included the phrase 'I put in the milk and sugar' How my heart sang.
As a note I would love to get my hands on a good tea... if anyone has suggestions for something that is sweet and good for you send it my way
My dear boy, it should be your right to have access to fine Tea. PM me your address and I'll pop a few bags in the post. I'll mark the envelope 'HERBS', that should get it through ok.
Oh dear me no. One simple doesn't boil Tea. It is an art form that demands time, care and patience. One needs to pour boiling water over the leaves then leave it to do its magic.
Oh contraire sir. I live in a country that for many years lived under colonial rule and if there's one thing us South African's know how to brew, it's tea.
Nothing beats tea slowly brewed in a porcelain tea pot with the 'ole crochet tea-cosy over it to keep it warm. I'm the first to agree. However Rooibos is a different animal and a bit on the wild side. It needs to be boiled into submission to be truely appreciated.
Nothing beats tea slowly brewed in a porcelain tea pot with the 'ole crochet tea-cosy over it to keep it warm. I'm the first to agree. However Rooibos is a different animal and a bit on the wild side. It needs to be boiled into submission to be truely appreciated.
:)Your comments on the pot and cosy are 100% spot on.
The Rooibos beast though? That must be some man Tea you have down there.
I hardly think the splash of milk would cause an upset stomach
You obviously don't know someone who is very lactose intolerant. My wife, who is very lactose intolerant, would be blowing it out her ass 2 hours after drinking it with even a splash of milk without taking a Lactaid pill. And with some things such as butter and heavy cream even the Lactaid doesn't help and she gets horribly sick off of just a little bit. She has to watch it at restaurants and make sure the food isn't prepared with real butter.
On the subject of tea and its proper preparation, I wonder what one should do if they are (or are serving) someone who is lactose intolerant. Can a cup of tea be proper if served "black"?
You could use soy milk. Or, one of the myriad coffee creamers that are lactose-free, like Coffee-Mate. Coffee-Mate is actually quite good in coffee (the liquid kind, not the powder). I actually prefer it over milk, half-and-half, etc. But I've never tried it in this "tea" stuff you all are talking about.
Comments
Discuss away!
Shorty has us hooked on Tetley, but it's hard to find here.
Another option for you guys is to come down here and visit me. There's a huge international food store called Jungle Jim's that carries the real thing... unfortunately we pay import price of about $4 for a 0.89p package of the tea...
But come down and visit sometime anyway!
I once brewed a side-by-side comparison of "British Blend" to the real thing. The purple box stuff was slightly lighter in color and just slightly weaker. It was a barely noticeable flavor difference once I put in the milk and sugar, though.
But come visit me sometime anyway, ya tossa!
You have to try Rooibos tea sometime. It can be an aquired taste to some but is unique to SA and if brewed correctly you can't beat the taste!
If you haven't tried it, Yerba Mate is a neat drink. With some honey, it's quite good. It does give you a bit of a buzz.
Blends for Friends
An ex-professional-tea-taster will blend up a unique tea for someone in your life based on what you say about their personality. A little cheesy (and expensive!), I know, but it's cute!
Oh dear me no. One simple doesn't boil Tea. It is an art form that demands time, care and patience. One needs to pour boiling water over the leaves then leave it to do its magic.
I had to wipe an eye when I read this. I never thought I'd ever read anything by an American that included the phrase 'I put in the milk and sugar' How my heart sang.
My dear boy, it should be your right to have access to fine Tea. PM me your address and I'll pop a few bags in the post. I'll mark the envelope 'HERBS', that should get it through ok.
Nothing beats tea slowly brewed in a porcelain tea pot with the 'ole crochet tea-cosy over it to keep it warm. I'm the first to agree. However Rooibos is a different animal and a bit on the wild side. It needs to be boiled into submission to be truely appreciated.
The Rooibos beast though? That must be some man Tea you have down there.
You obviously don't know someone who is very lactose intolerant. My wife, who is very lactose intolerant, would be blowing it out her ass 2 hours after drinking it with even a splash of milk without taking a Lactaid pill. And with some things such as butter and heavy cream even the Lactaid doesn't help and she gets horribly sick off of just a little bit. She has to watch it at restaurants and make sure the food isn't prepared with real butter.
You could use soy milk. Or, one of the myriad coffee creamers that are lactose-free, like Coffee-Mate. Coffee-Mate is actually quite good in coffee (the liquid kind, not the powder). I actually prefer it over milk, half-and-half, etc. But I've never tried it in this "tea" stuff you all are talking about.
You've tried???
/covers herself and hides
/covers himself and hides
Yes.