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Showing posts with label Tea Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tea Advice. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
No matter how you brew it, it's still tea!
No matter how you enjoy tea-loose leaf, tea bag, tea infuser, teabag in a teapot, loose leaf in a teapot it's all the same in terms of drinking tea. What counts is that if you drink tea you're apart of this amazing community of tea drinkers, whether you choose to embrace it or not. For me, making this blog has connected me with thousands of people daily who have one simple thing in common with me-we're tea drinkers. It doesn't matter what you look like, what ethnicity you are, what gender, what sexuality, tea unites everyone for the same reason: it's a lovely habitual practice in our lives that is a pleasantry for many reasons. I even find the ritual of making tea a pleasant one.
To tie in with what I've just said, I recently had an unpleasant experience on Twitter with two people who shall not be named who called my blog incorrect, and stupid, to put things lightly, because I had recommended bagged tea. To these people, I was not a proper tea drinker if I had anything to do with tea bags.
But that's just silly, if you think about it. Tea bags have been around for years and years and it's because they're incredibly convenient. Some of my tea in my cupboard right now is bagged and half of it is nicer than some of my loose tea. In the world of tea, it's not how you make it, it's that you drink tea and that's all that should matter.
Seeing as I've put myself out there on a public forum, I can expect to have run ins with people that like to tear others down to build themselves up. That's just how the internet is. However I don't have to let it hurt my feelings and I won't. Cyber bullying is never okay and I wish more people on the internet understood that. From what I've experienced, people who bully online would never have the guts to say 95% of what they've said online, in person. So maybe next time you find yourself in a tricky situation online, consider this: what will come out of me being rude to another person? Will it better me as a person? Will it make me more successful? The answer to those questions is no, and always will be. Think before you speak, and for tea's sake, tea is tea, no matter how you steep it!
Here's a photo of me enjoying my tea at my mother's house during Christmas
Leah
To tie in with what I've just said, I recently had an unpleasant experience on Twitter with two people who shall not be named who called my blog incorrect, and stupid, to put things lightly, because I had recommended bagged tea. To these people, I was not a proper tea drinker if I had anything to do with tea bags.
But that's just silly, if you think about it. Tea bags have been around for years and years and it's because they're incredibly convenient. Some of my tea in my cupboard right now is bagged and half of it is nicer than some of my loose tea. In the world of tea, it's not how you make it, it's that you drink tea and that's all that should matter.
Seeing as I've put myself out there on a public forum, I can expect to have run ins with people that like to tear others down to build themselves up. That's just how the internet is. However I don't have to let it hurt my feelings and I won't. Cyber bullying is never okay and I wish more people on the internet understood that. From what I've experienced, people who bully online would never have the guts to say 95% of what they've said online, in person. So maybe next time you find yourself in a tricky situation online, consider this: what will come out of me being rude to another person? Will it better me as a person? Will it make me more successful? The answer to those questions is no, and always will be. Think before you speak, and for tea's sake, tea is tea, no matter how you steep it!
Here's a photo of me enjoying my tea at my mother's house during Christmas
Leah
Monday, March 2, 2015
Leah's Tea Recommendations: Loose Leaf and Bagged Tea
Today I decided to make a little list of teas that I recommend to the readers of the UK and US. On the first image, you'll find the best places to acquire loose leaf tea, which is the highest quality of tea. The second graphic depicts the best bagged tea you can find in The UK or the US. Many people on Twitter have asked me recommendations on what brands they can trust, well here they are.
A couple exceptions should be noted. Lipton is on my graphic, but only for bagged tea. Their loose leaf tea is not good at all. Tiny tiny pieces and not a very good taste. However, their bagged tea here in the UK is quite nice and in the US if you're looking for something as simple as black tea gets, it's a great option. I hope you enjoy these graphics as much as I did making them. If you see a brand and want further recommendations on what kind of tea you'd like in that certain brand, comment below or tweet me (click the bird on the side bar) and I'll happily help you find a delicious tea.
Current tea I'm drinking: Twinings' (bagged) vanilla black tea. Oh so good! Below the graphics see the little note I've left for people interested in a tea exchange.
If anyone is interested in exchanging tea, I'm looking to do that. I think it would be fun to trade tea from anywhere in the world. If you're interested, click whichever contact link best suits you on the right. I'm in the UK, but I would be willing to ship to other countries!
PS- many tea companies I have listed are on my Amazon store. I have one for the UK and one for the US. Check them out!
Go to Leah's Tea Store US
Go To Leah's Tea Store UK
Leah
A couple exceptions should be noted. Lipton is on my graphic, but only for bagged tea. Their loose leaf tea is not good at all. Tiny tiny pieces and not a very good taste. However, their bagged tea here in the UK is quite nice and in the US if you're looking for something as simple as black tea gets, it's a great option. I hope you enjoy these graphics as much as I did making them. If you see a brand and want further recommendations on what kind of tea you'd like in that certain brand, comment below or tweet me (click the bird on the side bar) and I'll happily help you find a delicious tea.
Current tea I'm drinking: Twinings' (bagged) vanilla black tea. Oh so good! Below the graphics see the little note I've left for people interested in a tea exchange.
If anyone is interested in exchanging tea, I'm looking to do that. I think it would be fun to trade tea from anywhere in the world. If you're interested, click whichever contact link best suits you on the right. I'm in the UK, but I would be willing to ship to other countries!
PS- many tea companies I have listed are on my Amazon store. I have one for the UK and one for the US. Check them out!
Go to Leah's Tea Store US
Go To Leah's Tea Store UK
Leah
Friday, February 27, 2015
Tea of the day: oolong
Today I will be talking about my personal favorite kind of tea: oolong. I tried oolong for the first time a few weeks ago and fell in love. But what's so great about it, really? Well, for starters let me talk about the number one reason I drink oolong daily...
The taste! It's very light and flowery with a tiny citrus endnote. Well, that's my take on it. It's reminiscent of a green tea kind of taste, but with a way more delicious after taste. I'm not a huge fan of green tea, actually. However oolong is made from the same plant as green tea and black tea, what's different is the processing.
Health benefits are a big reason some people drink tea, but there's a lot of research to still be done and let's face it-I'm no doctor. However there is one study I've found about oolong and it took place in Japan. The study showed that drinking oolong tea can help rid the body of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Along with that study, I've found that drinking tea is good for you strictly because it helps with hydration. A lot of people don't drink enough water per day and tea is water treated with tea. So drink more tea and you will become more hydrated.
When it comes to oolong, less is more. This, unsteeped:
Becomes this, after steeping:
Steeping: oolong can be steeped more than once, so that can save you money. Just take the leaves out and let them sit on a plate or somewhere dry and use them again. Just know that if steeping a second time, it won't have as much caffeine as the first steeping. Also, it is noteworthy that when it comes to oolong teas, they get better as you steep them. So the second, third or fourth time you brew oolong, it will taste even better each time. When making oolong you shouldn't use water that has been boiled, but water that is just about to become boiled. So if you have a kettle, make sure it's hot but not entirely boiling. Sometimes I'll let it boil and then just let it cool for a few minutes. Then you can steep it from 3-10 minutes. If you're particular about the taste, try it every 30 seconds and stop steeping once you're satisfied with the taste!
Beauty: I love the shade of oolong tea and the beautiful leaves. The leaves look small and clustered before they come in contact with hot water, but it's fun to watch them grow in size as they steep. The leaves are considerably bigger than those of black tea, for example. A lot of times you'll see the leaves on a mini branch, even. See below, the beautiful coloring of oolong:
So why not give oolong a try? As soon as I did, I couldn't stop drinking it. It's not an unhealthy tea to drink! Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, sugar is never necessary in oolong. However, some people add sugar to all teas. Whatever floats your boat! Or should I say, floats your tea leaves! Oh wow, that was a bad joke.
Happy Friday,
Leah
The taste! It's very light and flowery with a tiny citrus endnote. Well, that's my take on it. It's reminiscent of a green tea kind of taste, but with a way more delicious after taste. I'm not a huge fan of green tea, actually. However oolong is made from the same plant as green tea and black tea, what's different is the processing.
Health benefits are a big reason some people drink tea, but there's a lot of research to still be done and let's face it-I'm no doctor. However there is one study I've found about oolong and it took place in Japan. The study showed that drinking oolong tea can help rid the body of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Along with that study, I've found that drinking tea is good for you strictly because it helps with hydration. A lot of people don't drink enough water per day and tea is water treated with tea. So drink more tea and you will become more hydrated.
When it comes to oolong, less is more. This, unsteeped:
Becomes this, after steeping:
Steeping: oolong can be steeped more than once, so that can save you money. Just take the leaves out and let them sit on a plate or somewhere dry and use them again. Just know that if steeping a second time, it won't have as much caffeine as the first steeping. Also, it is noteworthy that when it comes to oolong teas, they get better as you steep them. So the second, third or fourth time you brew oolong, it will taste even better each time. When making oolong you shouldn't use water that has been boiled, but water that is just about to become boiled. So if you have a kettle, make sure it's hot but not entirely boiling. Sometimes I'll let it boil and then just let it cool for a few minutes. Then you can steep it from 3-10 minutes. If you're particular about the taste, try it every 30 seconds and stop steeping once you're satisfied with the taste!
Beauty: I love the shade of oolong tea and the beautiful leaves. The leaves look small and clustered before they come in contact with hot water, but it's fun to watch them grow in size as they steep. The leaves are considerably bigger than those of black tea, for example. A lot of times you'll see the leaves on a mini branch, even. See below, the beautiful coloring of oolong:
So why not give oolong a try? As soon as I did, I couldn't stop drinking it. It's not an unhealthy tea to drink! Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, sugar is never necessary in oolong. However, some people add sugar to all teas. Whatever floats your boat! Or should I say, floats your tea leaves! Oh wow, that was a bad joke.
Happy Friday,
Leah
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Cheap but effective tea infusers
One of my friends contacted me today and gave me a great idea for a blog post. Why not share some tea infusers that are good in quality and low in price? I know that the easiest way to drink tea is with teabags, but the problem, in my experience, with that is that the tea in bags tend to be lower quality. When I first discovered loose leaf tea, I did not have a special mug with an infuser or a teapot. What I used was a little ball on a chain that hooks to the rim of your mug and the loose tea is spooned into the little ball. What I used was this little guy. It's cheap, but it gets the job done and the best part is how easy it is to clean out. You just open it up and empty it straight into the garbage bin. Or, if you have a garbage disposal, right into the garbage disposal. Let's have a look at other infusers I recommend.
IPOW infuser:
Another great one is this one (above), which is another highly reviewed tea infuser that goes right into your mug and teapot. It's very simple, you put in the infuser, scoop your favorite tea into it and pour hot water over it. Wait until the time desired has passed and then remove it. In my experience, this one is better for mugs than the little ball because the tea has more room to move about in the mug, which steeps the tea better. If you're interested in the one above, just click the image of the infuser where you'll find it on Amazon.
OXO infuser:
This doubles as a tea infuser and a tea scooper. I've never used a two in one before, but I have used a similar infuser to this, but the chamber was a heart instead of a ball. This one uses a twisting mechanism to open the chamber and clean out the inside. I'd imagine to clean it you'd have to run it under water to get all the loose tea out. You would use this infuser just like the other two, submerging this into the cup before you poured hot water into it.
Doggy infuser:
I thought it made sense to finish with the cutest infuser. It's a dog, a pug to be exact and he uses his little arms to hold onto the rim of your mug. How sweet! It has great reviews and it's also fun at the same time. Again, just click the image above if you're looking for the link on how to get one of your own. I've seen a lot of cute infusers like this, but the problem is that a lot of them aren't very good. This one is a rare exception.
Leah
OXO infuser:
This doubles as a tea infuser and a tea scooper. I've never used a two in one before, but I have used a similar infuser to this, but the chamber was a heart instead of a ball. This one uses a twisting mechanism to open the chamber and clean out the inside. I'd imagine to clean it you'd have to run it under water to get all the loose tea out. You would use this infuser just like the other two, submerging this into the cup before you poured hot water into it.
Doggy infuser:
I thought it made sense to finish with the cutest infuser. It's a dog, a pug to be exact and he uses his little arms to hold onto the rim of your mug. How sweet! It has great reviews and it's also fun at the same time. Again, just click the image above if you're looking for the link on how to get one of your own. I've seen a lot of cute infusers like this, but the problem is that a lot of them aren't very good. This one is a rare exception.
Leah
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