I’m on a weekend vacation and forgot to bring my tea and the international grocery didn’t have it, so I settled for Darjeeling. I can barely notice the difference. It’s so subtle that it might as well just be a different tea brand.

    • cynar@lemmy.world
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      18 days ago

      FYI, the taste differences become far more obvious with better quality teas. Darjeeling, being a more subtle (and posh) tea show this strongly. It’s also a lot less tolerant of poor brewing.

      For best results, don’t cheap out, and look up optimal brewing instructions.

      • The Picard Maneuver@lemmy.world
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        18 days ago

        Sounds like good advice, thanks.

        Although I probably DO need tea that’s tolerant of poor brewing. I have small children (and ADHD) and am very bad about forgetting that I have tea brewing…

        • Deebster@programming.dev
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          18 days ago

          Using leaf tea instead of bags means it’s more forgiving of over brewing. I’ve always assumed it’s because you have large pieces instead of the smaller bits plus dust you get in bags, but I have no idea really.

        • cynar@lemmy.world
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          18 days ago

          Before kids, microwaved tea is an absolute travesty. After kids, it’s an unfortunate necessity.

          I personally have cheap(ish) teas that priduce a drinkable cup. I also have the good teas that deserve more care and attention.

          If you’re interested, these guys provide the best tea I’ve found so far. (They also supply a number of the best tea shops in Bath). It’s definitely not cheap tea, but I currently have several kg of it in the house 😅

          https://www.gillardsofbath.co.uk/

          • Mr_Blott@feddit.uk
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            18 days ago

            Right, I’m sorry but I’m sure that tea is nice. But it basically looks to me like a bunch of trust fund babies trying to do to the tea scene what hipsters did to ale.

            I mean, their basic, everyday tea is 34p per bag. 30 bags for £11. That’s fucking nuts (not literally)

            Doesn’t sound that dreadful until you compare it to, for example, Yorkshire tea; a perfectly good everyday tea.

            4p per bag. 80 bags for £3. That’s 12X less, I think.

            I’m all for a good cuppa but all you’re doing buying that stuff is funding some posh cunt’s lifestyle

            Rant over

            • cynar@lemmy.world
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              18 days ago

              I know the sort of tea suppliers you’re referring to. Ive been disappointed by tea from quite a few of them. This isn’t one of them.

              They are actually a small family business that’s been quietly working for over 100 years. They are basically a whole sale company aimed at the ultra premium quality market. They have a little stall in one of the guildhall markets, where they’ve been for decades at least.

              As far as I’m personally concerned, their tea is worth the prices they charge. I also wouldn’t judge them by the price of bags. Them selling bags is relatively new. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the teabags were hand made to order. When it comes to loose leaf, they are actually cheaper than some Twinings teas.