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

Having not really drunk much tea for the last few years, for a reason I'm not very clear apon, and having just begun drinking lots of tea again, I'd thought I'd ask what sort of tea does everyone here have?

Personally, Darjeeling is my favourate, and what I've started drinking this time, though I've had jasmine, and Assam (think thats probably spelt rong), in the past, but have never been a fan of 'bog standard' tea, (PG tips, tetly, Yorkshire tea, Broke bond, and the like)

Darjeeling for me, most of the time. Jasmine with Chinese food. Herbal or fruit infusions from time to time, or if I'm working somewhere that doesn't have a good milk supply.

I agree about 'bog standard' teas. There's just too much tannin in them, and it makes my tongue curl.

Uuuggghh I've never liked milk in coffee or tea

I *very* occasionally have lemon in tea. Rum in tea is also nice. But I do prefer ordinary tea with milk. Even Darjeeling doesn't taste right without it, and it's not something to even be considered with 'bog standard' teas.

As a child, I drank a lot of Sleepytime tea. I loved the little bears on the box.

These days, I like looking for new and interesting blends. Lemon myrtle with chamomile is very nice, spicy chais are lovely, and Gypsy Cold Care is quite nice when I'm ill.

Some of my best memories are of my grandma picking mint out of her rock garden and making me tea with them.

Ahh, that remind me, when I was younger, we used to have this plant in teh back garden, very lemon scented especially if you crushed the leaves, and we made tea with that a few times When I've drunk 'bog standard' tea, I've useually had but I just don't really like the taste of milk with tea, or coffee for that matter I'll have it in hot choc though, or drink a glass, or use it in cooking sauces etc well, I've a coffee now, but I had a cup of darjeeling whilst waiting for the coffee machine to mumble away to itself and make me a pot of

2legs, I reckon the plant was most likely lemon balm.

I do like a nice cup of tea, preferably freshly brewed from proper loose tea leaves. Assam for a strong wake-me-up in the morning, a spicy Chai for a general refreshing brew, Earl Grey (black) at work because we don't have fresh and that's the only one I can drink black and still enjoy. Peppermint tea late in the evening to relax with. Sometimes another green tea when I'm in need of something calming - currently a Japanese cherry flavoured one.

A for every occasion

Assam is the best (in my opinion) No milk in tea please, it should be illegal. Wrecks your teeth though. Real coffee, preferably beans.
I don't drink much tea at work because no-one can seem to remember that I don't take milk!! (I have to make it myself if I want it done properly)

Earl Grey. With milk.

Any sort of tea as long as cakes are involved in the taking of tea.

Am also having a tea phase - but the fruity or herbal varieties. Current favourites: Lemon and ginger, Blackcurrant and Ginseng, or Peppermint.

Ordianry tea should be weak and black, maybe with a slice of lemon.

Hhmm, no-one has mentioned my favourite....Lapsang souchong. Nice smokey flavour, although rather difficult to drink strong. (no milk)
Although I now largely drink coffee, I do prefer 'proper' tea, if I could be bothered to make it.
Currently have Darjeeling, Gunpowder, Lapsang and English Breakfast.

still drink Nes***e coffee ( $$$$ )and PGtips.

I normally use French coffee beans to grind up to make coffee, strong, very very strong and black..... (*mutters, just like my Women... ) I used to use more loose tea, but I'm cheating with the darjeeling tea, using it in tea bags Which are square tea bags... what shape is everyone elses tea bags?

Builder's tea(two sainsbury red label in a mug)with &2 sugars if you're making one

English breakfast, with milk, no sugar.

I think there are teas which have to have milk and teas which mustn't, and a few in between where you can choose. Really strong teas like Assam need milk, not a lot mind, just a tiny dribble. With Ceylon it's your choice, with Oolong it's better without but I've found that sometimes literally a drop makes it slightly more drinkable, and Darjeeling shouldn't have any. A good way to drink Darjeeling is the same as for some green teas, just put half a spoon in the bottom of a largish mug and pour almost boiling water on it (boiling water makes it bitter). When you've drunk down to the point where it starts to taste bitter, top it up and get a second cup, often better than the first.

I'm quite happy with the strongness of the teas without milk though; I guess years of drinking very strong black coffee, and developing a taste for 'bitterness' in food and drink has done that Which is strange, though, when I have hot choc, I pile in the sugar, but won't have sugar with anything else, not even on cerials/porrage, well, except coctails, obviously

I think the problem is that tea tends to be left to brew for too long, if you drink tea without milk it is better if it doesn't stand for too long. It becomes quite bitter if you do that. I discovered tea when aged 15. We had run out of milk but I really fancied a cup of tea,(normally I didn't really like tea) so I made a cup without milk and discovered it was delicious. You really do get the flavour.
It is an aquired taste though I do admit. French coffee beans are great, even the cheap ones.

What teas have I got in my cupboard? Err, lots, err, organic Lapsang Souchong, organic Broken Orange Pekoe, organic Green tea, Indian chai (tastes like soap),organic Earl Grey, and the star of the show and my favourite ever, Russian Caravan. Alas not organic. Lovely slightly malty, slightly smoky flavour, cute picture of camels on the packet.

And enough herbal teas to start a small apothecary's.