Random Tea Thread

[HTHBellcaptain]

I have recently found a wonderful little Tea shop at Florida Mall. It's called TeaVana. They have all these wonderful loose leaf teas. Currently I am drinking and icedtea mixture of Peach Rooibas and Rasberry Sangria (herbal). Yum!

I guess the point of this thread is to say that I love Tea. I'm finally coming out in the open and admitting. I'm not going to be a closet tea drinker any more. I realize that there are those who may label me or even place an unfair stereo-type on me, but I'm tired of society trying to control my life. I was born to drink tea. It's in my genetic makeup. I'm won't deny who I am. You hear that world? I'm a tea drinker!!!!!!!!!!! So there.

Is there anyone else out there who would like profess their undying love for tea?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yes, I believe there may.

[Prudence]

I'm having a blueberry bubble tea right now. Mmmmm.....tapioca.....

[alphabassettgrrl]

I like tea. I have lots of tea. Black tea, green tea, white tea, herb tea- I drink it all.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Yes, I believe there may.

Oddly enough, the tea lover who started the present tea thread was notified of the existence of the past tea thread by the tea lover who started the past tea thread. So naturally, now we have two tea threads.

I guess HTH just wanted to come out of the tea closet as publicly as possible?

Here's a tea stumper for anyone who's up to the challenge: What's the deal with brown rice green tea? I found this at the Japan pavillion at EPCOT. What does rice add to tea? Is it a flavor thing? Is one supposed to leave the rice in the teacup? The package was all in Japanese and the Japanese girls there were all busy selling chopsticks and sake, so I couldn't get the answers to my questions.

About Teavana, I like them hot, but have yet to figure out how to make them taste good iced. There's a gritty texture thing there that I don't really fancy. But I still have some experimenting to do. Since the teas are so good hot, it's worth finding out how to make them taste good cold, too.

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by Matterhorn Fan

Here's a tea stumper for anyone who's up to the challenge: What's the deal with brown rice green tea? I found this at the Japan pavillion at EPCOT. What does rice add to tea? Is it a flavor thing? Is one supposed to leave the rice in the teacup? The package was all in Japanese and the Japanese girls there were all busy selling chopsticks and sake, so I couldn't get the answers to my questions.

I cheated and used Google, so I don't actually have any clue personally about it. Here's the link: http://www.jeddy.org/cha/genmai/

As far as the rice goes, I think if you use the usual method of steeping loose tea using an infuser, it will remain in the infuser with the tea leaves.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Aha! Thank you...

The roasted grain essences in the rice get steeped out to add an extremely mellow, almost nutty aspect that compliments the crisp, leafy qualities of green tea (and let me add here that white rice would never be able to impart such flavor, even if it was roasted), and the flavors "round out" the green tea, completing the overall taste in a really satisfying way.

I might have to try that sometime.

Funny . . . the picture at the top of that page . . . the sen-cha I bought at EPCOT is that same brand.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Oh, genmaicha is good stuff. Tea helps keep you healthy, too.

[libraryvixen]

I love tea as well. I love dark, fragrant teas that send a wonderful steamed perfume up from the cup. I love the Republic of Tea teas. My favorite one is the ginger peach... well.. at least, right now it's my favorite one.

[libraryvixen]

Originally Posted by Matterhorn Fan

Oddly ...I like them hot, but have yet to figure out how to make them taste good iced. There's a gritty texture thing there that I don't really fancy. But I still have some experimenting to do. Since the teas are so good hot, it's worth finding out how to make them taste good cold, too.

I love iced teas. I found a great way to make iced tea from my favorite "hot" tea. I seep the tea in hot water for a while (a full glass will do) until it's to my strength. I then pour it over a glass of ice. It's great because it's not too watered down. It's also best to sugar the tea while it's warm and before it's poured into the ice glass.