The Tea Thread

[umbilical]

hm.. maybe not in real life.. but you met one here... me

i once had the chocolate flavored yogi tea... it wasn't .. that great

i don't know about the other yogis.. they could be better...

[veganwitch]

I think you and veganwitch might need to have a tea challenge She's the BIGGEST tea junkie I know

Aw Roxy, you always give me the nicest compliments!

[veganwitch]

Thanks for the note, Roxy! Bring it on, veganwitch!!!! It's a Tea-Off!!!! LOL!!!

Roxy knows me pretty well Bonnie. But if it's a tea-off you want, you got it!

(veganwitch gets ready for Round 1. In her corner is her manager Roxy who places chamomile tea bags over veganwitch's eyes to get her ready for the bout)

A few weeks ago I bought 157 boxes of tea in one day. I needed 2 carts to get out of the store and the car was literally floor to ceiling w/ tea boxes.

Being the tea junkie that I am, I have purchased another 20 or so boxes since then.

Whatcha got girlie????

[umbilical]

A few weeks ago I bought 157 boxes of tea in one day

why so many?

[Roxy]

Coz she's a Tea Queen!

Veganwitch, you're so cute!!

[BlackCats]

A few weeks ago I bought 157 boxes of tea in one day. I needed 2 carts to get out of the store and the car was literally floor to ceiling w/ tea boxes.

How much did that cost you veganwitch if you don't mind me asking?
The Yogi tea I bought yesterday was nearly £2.00 a box for 15 bags. 157 boxes would be very expensive over here (unless there is a way of buying tea cheap that I am unaware of... hint hint... anyone know?)

I think the Yogi tea is what I had at the Aveda salon once. I really like the Yogi tea as it actually tastes of the flavour it is supposed to, unlike some herbal teas which just taste like hot, sour water (to me anyway.)

[veganwitch]

why so many?

Yeah, like Roxy said, I'm a Tea Queen. Sounds much more refined than Tea Junkie

I got 157 boxes in one day b/c I found all the teas I normally drink (Yogi and Traditional Medicinals) for 25 cents a box. I wanted to stock up on my favorite flavors b/c I was afraid they were being discontinued. Plus, it was a lot of fun. If you are familiar with the Lucille Ball show I Love Lucy, she always got herself into ridiculous situations. I'm sort of like that and this was one of those situations.

[veganwitch]

Coz she's a Tea Queen!

Veganwitch, you're so cute!!

Thanks Roxy , cute sounds so much better than crazy!

So does this mean I win the Tea Junkie Title? I really think it should.

[veganwitch]

How much did that cost you veganwitch if you don't mind me asking?
The Yogi tea I bought yesterday was nearly £2.00 a box for 15 bags. 157 boxes would be very expensive over here (unless there is a way of buying tea cheap that I am unaware of... hint hint... anyone know?)

Aphrodite, at 25 cents a box it came to $39.25 (US dollars). Usually I pay anywhere b/w $3-$5 for a box. I think it was just a local deal my store was having.

I've always loved Yogi tea too. My one complaint is they discontinued my favorite one DeCaffe Roast. I have one box that I am hoarding.

[umbilical]

i'm glad i never tried decaffe roast... so it saves me many sorrows

[Gwydion]

unless there is a way of buying tea cheap that I am unaware of...

Buying it loose from an online retailer would probably be cheaper?

And better quality/tasting.

And you get the thrill of going about it the traditional way

[pavotrouge]

I'm crazy about genmaicha (roasted barley green tea) at the moment. It's so nice, I drink at least three teapots a day, in spite a friend of mine calling it "hamster poo tea" (because of the grains).

[BlackCats]

Buying it loose from an online retailer would probably be cheaper?
And better quality/tasting.
And you get the thrill of going about it the traditional way

I didn't even think of buying tea that way. I would need to buy a teapot.

[Gwydion]

I didn't even think of buying tea that way. I would need to buy a teapot.

Indeed. Or one of those metal ball infuser thingies

You could try: http://www.nbtea.co.uk/index.php Flavours (if you're into that) Vegans would want to avoid apparently being:

Mayan Gold FB13
Caramel FB02
Violet FG09
Lemon Pepper TR19

Or I think there are various other sites already mentioned in this thread.

Mmmm, teeeaaa....

[BlackCats]

Thanks. I love new addictions.

[pavotrouge]

You could try: http://www.nbtea.co.uk/index.php Flavours (if you're into that)

they have a lovely selection to choose from! though no info on international shipping/payment

[Gwydion]

they have a lovely selection to choose from! though no info on international shipping/payment

Hey pavotrouge!

They definitely do ship internationally: " International orders are generally delivered in under 14 days. You will receive an e-mail when we despatch to confirm your order and let you know that it is on its way."

I just done a little trial run, inputting Germany as the shipping destination, and it worked fine. As for cost, I'm not sure - I think its a standard charge, depending on weight.

[firstandthen]

I need tea recommendations!

I currently drink cheapo decaf tea but with an obscene amount of sweetener (a generic brand of something like Sweetex) however my sweetener contains lactose and so after I've consumed the last of it I have left, I need to change my drinking habits.

Can any of you tea afficinados recommend a sweet tasting tea that wouldn't need sweetener? I've tried herbal/fruit teas in the past and despised them which is why I thought I'd ask for some suggestions before wasting money!

[veganwitch]

Tazo's Sweet Cinnamon Spice
Yogi's Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut

Those are the two that come to mind right now and neither of them are fruity so maybe you will like them. I have a sweet tooth and I think both of those are very sweet w/ nothing added.

[firstandthen]

Ooooh, many thanks. Plus I love cinnamon and vanilla!

[herbwormwood]

You could also try adding sweetened soya milk to your usual teas, many are sweetened with apple juice.

[Sarah_]

one of my New Year's resolutions is gonna be to drink more tea. The only kind I really drink is green tea, and although I know it's quite healthy and good to drink, I want to expand. Is plain old black tea what people put milk in?

[BonnieS]

Whatcha got girlie????

OK, here's what I got: 70 boxes in my tiny kitchen, i.e. more tea than food, and not just any tea: but the expensive kind, i.e. boxes of Lapsang Souchong loose that are $16, and tea cannisters from Chinatown that are $50 (rare, hard to find luscious oolongs).

I'm not putting down the less expensive tea, I drink it too! Here in Canada we have Red Rose, which is pennies per cup and a very good cuppa. But there's something about the smoky oolongs that I just adore. So I wear old clothes and cheap shoes, but my tea is primo!!

and when I go to London at the end of the month, I hope to bring back many more boxes of exotic teas that aren't available in Canada. And I want exotic tea things, I'm going to haunt the flea markets for the best tea trinkets I can find. It's going to be tea-licious!

[fresquinho]

Just a question: "tea sucks the magnesium out of you" is utter bollocks, right?

[LGBunny]

Just a question: "tea sucks the magnesium out of you" is utter bollocks, right?

i'm stuffed if it aint

[Rakey]

I love white tea, sencha and green tea.
And jasmine tea is just amazing! You can buy the leaves in sainsburys

[herbwormwood]

Just a question: "tea sucks the magnesium out of you" is utter bollocks, right?

Apparently black tea made with tap water contains 600 mg magnesium.
http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-0...000000000.html

[pavotrouge]

btw, have any of the tea pros made "sun" and "moon" tea? I'd like too but fear I'm not hippy enough

[Shaolin Jedi]

I drink coffee in the morning with maple syrup (hoping to give that up, but apparently takes your tastebuds a while to adjust).

I have tried Rooibos tea, love the nutty taste, and am thinking of replacing some of my coffees in the day to it.

Just wondered about other vegans' experiences with Rooibos, either as a tea/coffee replacement or otherwise.

Oh, and, is Rooibos healthier than tea? even green tea?

[harpy]

I quite like it - I think you'll hear different stories about its health benefits relative to tea because tea is also meant to be quite good for you isn't it? But obviously if you're trying to avoid caffeine rooibos would be better than tea.

I suppose if drinking rooibos tea avoids the need for sweeteners then it would be better from that point of view.

[gogs67]

Friend of mine swears by it, she loves it. Me, on the other hand...............

It's all down to personal taste, i like my caffeine filled Indian teas, lol!

[cobweb]

Rooibos is my favourite, i like the 'Tick-Tock' rooibos tea best of all .

I swear by it, too, i feel ill if i don't drink it!. It's packed with antioxidants and helps keep my skin clear. It's so sweet and comforting, too. I do call it my 'savlon tea' as it smells a bit like normal black tea with a dash of savlon, but i love it! .

I usually have one coffee a day now, a couple of 'nomral' teas, and the rest rooibos.

[Manimal]

it's either rooibos or dandelion for me. if you're looking for a coffee substitute then try looking into teas mixed with chicory, otherwise known as 'coffeeweed'. the dandelion tea that i drink has chicory with it, and if you mix plenty of soy milk with it to cream it up a little it's the closest i have got to coffee flavour. you can also get chicory essence if you struggle to find a tea with it already in. maybe try adding that to rooibos. now there's a thought and if you're doing this for health reasons definately stay away from decaf coffee!

[Marrers]

I've only become a fan of it since trying the Dragonfly Vanilla and Chai rooibos teas. I thought the Tick Tock was horrid.

I usually drink one filter coffee a day but I don't always have tea each day. When I do drink tea I sometimes drink flavoured black teas too, depends on what flavour I fancy.

[Ruby Rose]

^ Maybe I'll give the Dragonfly ones a go, Marrers - I have only tried the Tick Tock one and spat it out - but have friends who sing hymns of praise to the wonderful rooibos.

[cobweb]

Tic-Tock........horrid...........spat out???? wha???

before i located it here in Orkney i used to get it delivered, i can't live without it!

eta i always put soya milk in it, i don't drink it black.

[Marrers]

No I always add milk to my teas too - Tick Tock was still horrid though!

[Pob]

It's a bit of an acquired taste I think. All the unflavoured redbush teas taste the same.

It reminded me of root beer when I first tried it.

I don't like the vanilla flavour at all, but the chai is lovely.

[Stu]

I love Rooibos tea. I drink it every day. Yeah Cobbo, I sometimes get the 'Tick Tock' brand, but I'm happy with any really.

Ooh Marrers, I like the sound of the vanilla and chai ones. Is the chai one caffeine-free?

Anyway, I have a question: what is the correct pronunciation of 'rooibos'? I've heard a few variants.

[cobweb]

roy-boss i always thought was correct, stu-pot.

(said in south african accent - except when i try and do it i sound like Adrain Mole's grandmother!).

[Shaolin Jedi]

The correct pronunciation of rooibos is 'roy-boss' lol, you beat me to it, cobweb

[Marrers]

Is the chai one caffeine-free?

It is! Click on the link in my previous post, it tells you all about it and there is a picture of the box (which I always find useful so i know what I'm looking for on the shelves).

[Metal Maniac]

I quite like it - I think you'll hear different stories about its health benefits relative to tea because tea is also meant to be quite good for you isn't it? But obviously if you're trying to avoid caffeine rooibos would be better than tea.

I suppose if drinking rooibos tea avoids the need for sweeteners then it would be better from that point of view.

So,there is no sweetener in it but it is naturally sweet???

i am looking for a tea replacement myself

[Pob]

I don't think it's sweet. It's less bitter than tea, but not really sweet.

[Marrers]

I think the Dragonfly vanilla one is quite sweet. (Metal Maniac I found it was easier to give up sugar when I changed to Earl Grey but I hadn't discovered vanilla tea then.)

[veganwitch]

i now there's a thought and if you're doing this for health reasons definately stay away from decaf coffee!

even organic naturally decaffeinated coffee? why is it bad?

[Kay]

Now that the weather is getting colder, I would love to make a big pot of chai tea with star anise, vanilla, cinnamon, cardoman, black pepper, ginger. How good is almond milk mixed with chai tea? Also what is the best kind of tea to use black, jasmine, darjeerling, roobiobs? Thanks

[Mr Flibble]

Black tea, 15 mins of boiling with whatever spices you want (I'd add cloves to that list), then milk (never tried almond, (soya is very common) but don't see why not) and sugar. Bring back to boil and serve.

[Ginger]

I buy the Twinings tea bags. Guess there is a big taste difference though.

[squigaletta]

in traditional indian chai recipes you simmer the tea for 15mins in milk (or half milk and half water)with the spices. I don't know what milk alternatives simmer well though. I have a recipe somewhere and can look it out.
I have use the twinnings tea bags and they are surprisingly good when compared with authentic chai, and I have them with rice milk which adds good sweetness so I don't really like extra sugar in it.