Years ago (actually, it was 1985 come to think of it) when I was a young American working as a live-in au pair in Paris, France, a fussy little man I had worked with in San Francisco contacted me to say he was in Paris on his yearly visit and would I like to do some sightseeing with him. We spent quite a bit of time together during his visit and I learned a lot from his knowledge of Paris. Plus he paid for everything and we always went to lunch, so that was pretty great too. He always ordered tea (Earl Grey) and he always set the annoying beepy timer on his digital watch as soon as the tea started steeping. I finally asked him why he bothered with that. He said he wanted the tea to steep exactly two minutes because at two minutes he got the full flavor of the tea without the bitterness that would creep in with longer steeping. I was skeptical. I'd never been a fan of tea. It needed sugar to taste good and I didn't like sweet drinks. When I went to cafes I'd have a grand creme (espresso in a big cup with foamy milk) during my time in Paris. But later I tested Roger's tea technique. What do you know, the bitter flavor that made me not like black tea was not present when I stopped steeping at two minutes. I could just add milk and the flavor was rich and smooth. And that's the story of how I learned to like tea.
(As a kindness to the reader I've left out the whole sad unrequited love part of the tale. But it feels dishonest to not at least acknowledge that in my youthful selfish foolishness I done him wrong.)
I ❤️ your story. Sometimes it does take love (or some other connection to another real human) to try something you wouldn't have tried before. It made me wonder what I am not trying. Lumos.
At this time of year, I have already begin on holiday teas: Comfort and Joy plus Tea of Good Tidings both by Republic of Tea. Other daily favorites are Double Bergamot Earl Grey by Stash, Fruits D'Alsace by Harney & Sons, and Bold Black Chai by Republic of Tea. A little sweetner, but no milk.
My go to is Paris by Harney & Sons. This is a black tea with a mild vanilla flavor. According to the marketing it is "a delicate blend of currant, caramel and citrus meant to arouse the senses" Ahhhh...
Others can weigh in, but I don't think of it as a vanilla tea. I would mostly describe it as an Early Grey with interesting notes. Not sure that is accurate tea wise, but that's how I taste it.
So this doesn't have lavender in it? As much as I love the scent of lavender, I don't like it in my tea. If this is lavender-less, I am tempted to try it.
I am currently drinking a London Fog (decaf), with soy milk and vanilla, 2 bags of Earl Grey. I am really a tea drinker, so I always have a bunch of choices. I prefer spices to floral. My favorite mug is a large one, because who are we kidding. I usually go for the black one with the squirrel that says "My mornings are nuts.", although my mornings are actually not nuts at all. But squirrel.
Harney and Sons Pumpkin Spice and/or Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea are perfect for fall!!! I also love the beautiful tea canisters that they come in. Look so pretty on my counter.
I always think tea is a good idea. I love the calm and thoughtfulness of the idea of a cup of tea. But when it comes down to it, I always choose coffee! 🧐
I am a coffee drinker all year round in the morning, but come fall and winter, I love to have a cup of tea in the afternoon. Fall favorite is Harney's Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea and winter favorites are Republic of Tea's Comfort and Joy and Harney's Paris. Just last week I was introduced to a London Fog (Earl Grey, hot milk, honey and vanilla), and it has become a go-to tea drink for me on a chilly day.
Yes, tea feelings can run high! I'm a leaf tea drinker using the FORLIFE Stump tea pots and tea from Premium Steap in Philadelphia. I rotate between English Breakfast, High Tea, and their North Sea Blend, always with milk. I prefer to drink from mugs at home but am often drinking from a travel mug on my commute.
I drink herbal more often, favoring a mango blend or peppermint or a mix of herbs from my garden (especially the lemon balm), but a decaf earl grey, unsweetened, with soy milk is the best for cold weather. My first love is hot chocolate though - Ghirardelli 100% unsweetened cocoa, maple syrup, unsweetened soy milk, and a little leftover decaf coffee from my morning is my happy juice. I drink it every day and it instantly puts me on a good mood!
when I first moved to Ottawa, I visited a tea shop, and on a whim bought 'Arctic Fire' as a loose leaf black tea - just because of the name! To this day, even today, it is still my favourite: a black loose leaf, with hibiscus, passionfruit and blueberry essence with Cornflower and Sunflower petals. I have taken it all over the world in my ' tea kit' for when I need a little taste of home! I still buy it from the same store in having never seen this blend anywhere else.
I drink nettle tea every morning. Nettle is a potent anti-histamine, and ever since I started drinking it daily, I haven’t had any seasonal allergies. In the afternoon in the cooler months of the year, I enjoy decaf vanilla tea with a splash of cream. I’m highly sensitive to caffeine, otherwise I’d drink a milky chai!
Years ago (actually, it was 1985 come to think of it) when I was a young American working as a live-in au pair in Paris, France, a fussy little man I had worked with in San Francisco contacted me to say he was in Paris on his yearly visit and would I like to do some sightseeing with him. We spent quite a bit of time together during his visit and I learned a lot from his knowledge of Paris. Plus he paid for everything and we always went to lunch, so that was pretty great too. He always ordered tea (Earl Grey) and he always set the annoying beepy timer on his digital watch as soon as the tea started steeping. I finally asked him why he bothered with that. He said he wanted the tea to steep exactly two minutes because at two minutes he got the full flavor of the tea without the bitterness that would creep in with longer steeping. I was skeptical. I'd never been a fan of tea. It needed sugar to taste good and I didn't like sweet drinks. When I went to cafes I'd have a grand creme (espresso in a big cup with foamy milk) during my time in Paris. But later I tested Roger's tea technique. What do you know, the bitter flavor that made me not like black tea was not present when I stopped steeping at two minutes. I could just add milk and the flavor was rich and smooth. And that's the story of how I learned to like tea.
This is a fantastic story! Thank you, thank you.
(As a kindness to the reader I've left out the whole sad unrequited love part of the tale. But it feels dishonest to not at least acknowledge that in my youthful selfish foolishness I done him wrong.)
Are you even an adult if you don't have one of these in your past?!
I ❤️ your story. Sometimes it does take love (or some other connection to another real human) to try something you wouldn't have tried before. It made me wonder what I am not trying. Lumos.
Great story. Thanks for sharing :)
At this time of year, I have already begin on holiday teas: Comfort and Joy plus Tea of Good Tidings both by Republic of Tea. Other daily favorites are Double Bergamot Earl Grey by Stash, Fruits D'Alsace by Harney & Sons, and Bold Black Chai by Republic of Tea. A little sweetner, but no milk.
A true tea drinker!
Comfort and Joy is my all-time favorite. I save it for December.
My go to is Paris by Harney & Sons. This is a black tea with a mild vanilla flavor. According to the marketing it is "a delicate blend of currant, caramel and citrus meant to arouse the senses" Ahhhh...
Does the vanilla taste fake-y at all?
Others can weigh in, but I don't think of it as a vanilla tea. I would mostly describe it as an Early Grey with interesting notes. Not sure that is accurate tea wise, but that's how I taste it.
Love Paris!
I discovered Paris a couple of years ago, and I am a big fan of it. I usually drink it in winter.
So this doesn't have lavender in it? As much as I love the scent of lavender, I don't like it in my tea. If this is lavender-less, I am tempted to try it.
Just checked my tin. No lavender listed under ingredients. Enjoy!
Thank you! I am going to order some
My best tea tip is .. coffee.
I really want to like tea, but I haven’t been able to find a one that pulls me in.
#nojudgment
So funny 😁
I tend to only drink tea when my stomach is upset. Earl Grey pod in my Keurig, with skim milk and Splenda. I am sure I am a tea heathen.
I am also a tea heathen! (oat milk, tea bags)
Tea heathen 😁 so funny
I am currently drinking a London Fog (decaf), with soy milk and vanilla, 2 bags of Earl Grey. I am really a tea drinker, so I always have a bunch of choices. I prefer spices to floral. My favorite mug is a large one, because who are we kidding. I usually go for the black one with the squirrel that says "My mornings are nuts.", although my mornings are actually not nuts at all. But squirrel.
Oh I love a London Fog - or any kind of “Fog”. Looking forward to one now that it’s tea season again. Thanks for the reminder.
Harney and Sons Pumpkin Spice and/or Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea are perfect for fall!!! I also love the beautiful tea canisters that they come in. Look so pretty on my counter.
Harney's canisters are a good reason to buy their teas.
Do you have any cool ideas of what to do with the empty canisters? They are too lovely to put in recycling bin.
I always think tea is a good idea. I love the calm and thoughtfulness of the idea of a cup of tea. But when it comes down to it, I always choose coffee! 🧐
I am a coffee drinker all year round in the morning, but come fall and winter, I love to have a cup of tea in the afternoon. Fall favorite is Harney's Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea and winter favorites are Republic of Tea's Comfort and Joy and Harney's Paris. Just last week I was introduced to a London Fog (Earl Grey, hot milk, honey and vanilla), and it has become a go-to tea drink for me on a chilly day.
MarketSpice Tea from Pike Place Market in Seattle. So flavorful! One of the only ones that I find don't require any doctoring with tea or sugar. ;-)
My favorite as well! I drink the decaf version in the evening with a little monkfruit sweetener. PG Tips of Earl Grey for during the day.
Yes, tea feelings can run high! I'm a leaf tea drinker using the FORLIFE Stump tea pots and tea from Premium Steap in Philadelphia. I rotate between English Breakfast, High Tea, and their North Sea Blend, always with milk. I prefer to drink from mugs at home but am often drinking from a travel mug on my commute.
English breakfast tea with honey. And the honey has to be raw honey. I also love to order Starbucks spiced chai tea when I’m out.
I drink herbal more often, favoring a mango blend or peppermint or a mix of herbs from my garden (especially the lemon balm), but a decaf earl grey, unsweetened, with soy milk is the best for cold weather. My first love is hot chocolate though - Ghirardelli 100% unsweetened cocoa, maple syrup, unsweetened soy milk, and a little leftover decaf coffee from my morning is my happy juice. I drink it every day and it instantly puts me on a good mood!
I love Paris by Harney and sons as well… It tastes like bergamot and chai had a baby lol
Yes! Great description and why I love it so!
when I first moved to Ottawa, I visited a tea shop, and on a whim bought 'Arctic Fire' as a loose leaf black tea - just because of the name! To this day, even today, it is still my favourite: a black loose leaf, with hibiscus, passionfruit and blueberry essence with Cornflower and Sunflower petals. I have taken it all over the world in my ' tea kit' for when I need a little taste of home! I still buy it from the same store in having never seen this blend anywhere else.
I'm going to have to google that. Is there a brand name to it? Hopefully, it's available in the US :) Thanks for sharing!
I drink nettle tea every morning. Nettle is a potent anti-histamine, and ever since I started drinking it daily, I haven’t had any seasonal allergies. In the afternoon in the cooler months of the year, I enjoy decaf vanilla tea with a splash of cream. I’m highly sensitive to caffeine, otherwise I’d drink a milky chai!
Thanks for thus tip, Jessica!
Where do you get your nettle? Do you grow it yourself?
Traditional Medicinals teabags!