Two Cups and an Herbal.

I'm officially addicted. I can neither wake up, nor get to sleep without tea. 'Nuff said.

Cheers-
Teb

P.S. it being crunch time (of the semester) doesn't help.

I Feel Like

This.

The Onion does a great job satirizing the stereotypical tea drinker. I can't help but imagine myself in a pink bonnet with teddy bears throwing a tea party with tea made from 'pretty flowers'. But for many the high class aspect of tea is very appealing, particularly compared to the incredibly common, and hence mundane, coffee. Because tea is not incredibly ubiquitous in American society the 'classy' and 'British' stereotype is a draw for those looking to try something new, I know it was a pull for me, and it shows in my sign out.

Cheers-
Teb.

Just in time for cold weather: I love iced tea!

For someone living in Salt Lake City this post is totally out of season, but I've been drinking a lot of iced tea even as the seasons change and winter starts to arrive. Part of the appeal of iced tea for me is that it seems to go better with lunch and dinner meals then hot tea. I really can't explain why I don't like drinking hot drinks with my lunch or dinner, but love hot drinks late at night by themselves, or with desert, or at midday with crackers and cheese, but thats the way I am.

Iced tea can be brewed just the same as regular tea, then left too cool, or effectively watered down by adding the ice while the tea is still piping hot. Many iced tea brewers, though, will use the power of the sun to brew their tea, which allows you to make bigger batches, and an easier environment for experimentation with the flavor of your tea.

Whichever way you decide upon, iced tea is a great way to get your tea on in the hotter weather, or when you just don't want a hot drink.

Cheers -
Teb

Why I Drink 2: Flavor

The flavor of tea is obviously a huge factor in why anyone drinks, or doesn't drink, a specific tea but with such a wide swath of teas to choose from there is a flavor for nearly every pallet. Even without herbal teas we can find a huge variety within the true tea family, especially if we include flavored teas.

Black tea: dark and full bodied, black tea is an excellent breakfast drink. It tends to go nicely with eggs, bacon, and toast. A particularly popular version of this tea is Earl Grey which is black tea leaves and bergamot root. Black teas tend to go well with sugar and milk, but my personal favorite additions to a good black tea are lemon and honey.

Green tea: tends to be more bitter then black tea, and slightly lighter in flavor. A really good unflavored green tea should be drunk by itself, but depending on the addition flavors honey or sugar can make a good addition. Flavored green teas tend to reduce the bitterness of the tea by adding dried fruits and flowers and encouraging the addition of sugar or honey.

White tea: much lighter then either green or black tea, these teas are very often flavored because of how light the flavor of the tea is. These whimsical teas are usually excellent by themselves, and light enough not to need sugar or honey, because the flavor of the other ingredients shines through. A white Earl Grey might contain bergamot as well as vanilla to complement the light flavor.

Herbals: this category encompasses way too much to generalize about the flavors. From chamomile to peppermint, pine to citrus to African Rooibos. Just find one that smells appealing, and odds are it will taste just as appealing.

Cheers-
Teb