h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I love Earl Grey , so much so that I've written a guide entry about it (A901784). My entry prompted Demon Drawer to write one on his own favourite , Lapsang Souchong (A905690). Thanks to DD's emtry, I've tried Lapsang Souchong, and discovered that it is indeed rather delicious.

I have been inspired to make 2003 a Tea Odyssey. I want to try more blends from around the . So what are other Researchers' favourite forms of the beverage Arthur Dent missed so much whilst travelling the galaxy?

I like a strong, robust tea with plenty of character (but no extraneous flavours such as bergamot or smoke), so I go with Assam or Ceylon

Darjeeling is apparently sometimes known as the "champagne of teas", and it's my favourite. You have to be careful though because if you leave it to brew too long it gets very bitter. You can counteract this a bit (and make it a bit stronger because it is quite mild) by adding a little bit of Assam for example. I usually brew a pot of Darjeeling using two spoons of Darjeeling and one of Assam. However, I've been drinking some pretty fantastic Ceylon broken orange pekoe recently, mmm. Have you seen the Tea FAQ? There's a link on my userspace I think.

Hmm, the Tea FAQ site seems to have gone, fortunately the internet archive came to the rescue http://web.archive.org/web/20011129030214/http://www.enteract.com/~robchr/tea/faq.html

Also, looking and it reminds me that I used to be very partial to Keemun and Oolong (not sure which one) a few years ago.

Assam is my favourite .

Rarely drink anything else to be honest.

Earl Grey just tastes like soappy dishwater to me.


Geggs

Sorry - it's PG Pyramids for me! Especially when I've been abroad for a while . I've even been known to take them with me in my suitcase!

Many apologies - for lowering the tone that is, not for my choice of

Thanks, all! Assam seems to be much acclaimed, so I must try that next.

for the link, Dogster. Fascinating stuff! I love the names of some of those green China blends, especially:

Spider Leg
Gunpowder
and Pu-erh !

You don't like Pu-erh? It's delicious!

I can well believe it, Captain K. I haven't tried Pu-erh yet. I was just reacting to the name, which looks like it's pronounced 'poo-ugh'!

It's got to be Earl Grey really hasn't it? I look forward to the Tour of Tea - can we develop our own vocabulary to describe the taste ('cinnamon...burnt rubber...') like they a la Jilly Goolden?

Still - the spectre of the PG Pyramids has raised another question - loose tea or tea bags? Obviously the tea bags are more convenient, but with Earl Grey you may have to apply a sledgehammer to the inside of the cup to get any flavour out. (Either that or extend the brewing time from three minutes to eighteen months). Lordy what a dilemma!

Hmm I'm thirsty...

Natalie

We drink Darjeeling at home and at my Mum's (Mum has it because she knows we like it. She's a coffee-drinker, and doesn't much mind what tea she drinks). At Richards parents' we have PG Pyramids, 'cos it's what they like. We like Darjeeling *because* it's a mild tea. I introduced Richard to it 'cos I hate strong tea - too much tannin makes my tongue curl. We have to ask Richard's Dad not to make the tea too strong (PG is a *very* strong tea in terms of tannin content), and we had to ask Richard's brother not to 'mash' the tea (Andrew also likes strong tea).

Earl Grey is fine with lemon, but tastes foul with milk. I also like Jasmine (not 'tea' exactly, more a "herbal infusion"), peppermint and chamomile.

BTW, 'Gunpowder' tea gets its name from its appearance - dark, fine and powdery.

I like ALL tea even herbal.My favourite is Assam followed by Earl Grey.

However the very,very best tea is the one that someone else makes and pours for you first thing in the morning.

Incog

Gunpowder is lovely. Whittards do a nice Japanese Green tea (they don't specify what it is, just 'Japanese') - it's fragrant and refreshing. As I've already indicated, I'm very partial to Pu-Erh - it has a delicious earthy tang.

I keep meaning to drop by the Chinese supermarket - they have loads I haven't tried...

Oh - and I always buy loose leaf - I can't be doing with teabags.

Yeah, loose leaf rules!
I'm a Darjeeling fan myself, but I prefer a less in your face cuppa usually (ie day-to-day with milk) Quite partial to Lapsang Souchong and Jasmine drunk black with lemon but if they're brewed too long they're URGGGGHH!
Can't abide those flowery/fruity things but have the occasional chamomile or lemon & ginger, and loads of rosehip which is fruity without being icky.

I also found A793659 very helpful too especially this summer.
Delicious and it worked very well with Earl Grey too.

Incog.

Can't say I've had any problems with Earl Grey teabags. The tastes delicious, thank you! I do let it brew for five minutes, though.

Oooh where to start ...
The one in my cup right now - because it's there
And also because it's Whittards Spice Imperial mix which I do like as a relaxing beverage, reminding me of a long ago trip to Sri Lanka where most cups of tea had vanilla or cinnamon or other spices added.

First thing in a morning, a stronger flavour is necessary. I like a good Ceylon tea or Assam, as I have in my tea caddy today.

Late at night, a less invigorating brew is required. I generally choose a peppermint or lemon tea at that time of day. Sadly, the large bag of Morrocan mint tea I brought back from a holiday once has been finished long since, but never mind Twinings will do

I am fond of Chinese teas too, can't go far wrong with a few cups of Jasmine tea with a Chinese meal. I do have some Pu-er tea in a solid block, bought in Kunming a few years ago. Ever since I brought it home I've wondered what I'm supposed to do with it to convert the brick into a beverage! Anybody know? Do I just grate bits off as needed?

And finally, as to loose or bagged - preferably loose tea brewed in a Chatsford mug with removable cup-shaped strainer to allow the tea leaves to circulate and brew properly. Mmmm. Time for another cup perhaps...

Assam is one of my favourites though I can only drink the stuff (well, any tea) weak thesedays...

On the subgject of bags, the answer is JUST SAY NO! You get the taste of the paper and the nylon, as well as ingesting the fibres of the same, makes any tea taste like, well, I'd rather not say but even popular blended teas taste markedly smoother and cleaner WITHOUT THE BAG.


DON'T USE THE BAG!!!!


NO, JUST NO, NO!!!

Even if you don't use a pot, LET THERE BE NO BAG!

*ahems* Sorry, I don't have many passions in life but the campaign to stamp out rough paper/plastic wrapped Brownian motion flavour infuser is, well, possibly it

After all that emotion what I really need is a nice cup of

There there, dear, it's all right, you're among friends!