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Thread: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

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    Default any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    i want to start... but what do i mix, where to get raw tea stuffs so i can make my own, how long to steep >.<
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    Senior Member I like mango pudding's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Chinese teas, yes, but the Western type or the Indian teas, then no.

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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Pingo5 are you wanting to grow your own Camellia sinensis and pick the leaves or just picking up a packet of loose leaf tea ?

    Your best bet would be to search through tea sites and see what type of information and items you are after.

    I just buy packets of what looks or tastes interesting from a tea shop.
    There are all sorts of ideas on what temperature to brew different types of tea white, green. oolong and black but normally I would simply pour boiling water on it and scald the living daylights out of it then wait for it to cool enough to drink. I've seen various instructions stating the tea be steeped between 2-5 minutes depending on the type.

    If you are after something more interesting to make up yourself then you could try looking at herbal infusions.
    Last edited by Bogon07; May 26th, 2013 at 08:58 PM.
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    Senior Member AltecGreen's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Teas come in a wide variety of types and style.

    For Chinese teas, I go to Imperial Tea Court.

    For other kinds of teas, I use a variety of sources many of which are not easy to access.


    In all cases, different types of teas need different steep times and water temperature. The method of brewing also has an effect. If you say what kind of teas, I think it will be easier to make recommendations.

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    Senior Member tandaina's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I drink loose leaf but I still buy it and don't grow it.
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I do as well. Only I don't mix my own tea...and I mainly drink the weaker stuff, like Japanese rice tea. How long you steep the tea for will depend on your personal preference. Steeping tea for longer periods of time will generally result in the tea becoming stronger and more bitter (depending on how much tea you've put in).

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    Bogon07 (May 26th, 2013)

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    Senior Member AltecGreen's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Quote Originally Posted by tandaina View Post
    I drink loose leaf but I still buy it and don't grow it.
    You have to be hard core. Besides, the climate in the US is not the best for tea growing. Roy Fong at Imperial Tea Court is trying to grow local teas in California. It still seems to be a challenge. Of course, if you are in other parts of the world then YMMV.

    This reminds me of a recent Pen Posse conversation of FaceBook.



    Loren: Look at my new coffee machine (nice picture of new machine and a bag of Blue Bottle Coffee).

    Mark: Hmmm....Blue Bottle is mediocre. You should try Barrel, Sightglass, or Intelligensia.

    Me: You gotta grow your own to have street cred.

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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    There are sites like http://www.teavana.com/, you could order what blend you like.

    I just go to a tea shop and order by the grams. Or I buy a box of it from the supermarket, a British brand like Waitrose (Darjeeling) for instance.

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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    You can make custom blends here, as well as trying blends from other tea enthusiasts.

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    Senior Member cedargirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Yes - I drink leaf tea all the time - black, red, green, and white varieties. But there are so many different varieties available I don't mix my own.

    Making a pot of tea is very ritualistic - I'll choose the pot, the cup and the tray depending on how I'm feeling. It always means chill out/relax for me.

    If I'm in a hurry, it's back to the tea bags (still steeped for 5-10 mins) in a big mug for gulping down.
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Yes. I love the ritual of brewing loose leaf tea and drinking it from adorable and intricate little tea cups. It is fun to do! My favorite would be Hu-Kwa, but I want to buy some loose leaf white tea (the stuff Bogon talked of once) soon. Just don't drink tea to often, and don't scorch your mouth with it either...remember it is an acid and can put one at a higher risk for cancer if consumed often.
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I buy tea from Teavana, Cottage Garden Teas, and Hadaya Teas and Spices. The last two are vendors at two local Green Markets, which is where I buy from them. Teavana is in my local mall.

    The only tea I blend myself is Chinese Gunpowder with Mint.

    If you are going to brew loose tea, I highly recommend getting an infuser rather than using tea balls or tea eggs. I have a two and four cup infuser.

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    Junior Member MadAmos's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I usually get my loose leaf tea from The Republic of Tea between my wife and I we go through quite a lot.

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    Senior Member jar's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I'm mostly an Indian black tea drinker (Assams in particular) but also wander into Oolongs and even Lapsang souchongs.

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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    Just don't drink tea to often, and don't scorch your mouth with it either...remember it is an acid and can put one at a higher risk for cancer if consumed often.
    I really don't want this thread to be derailed by diet advice, but both fruit juices and sodas are more acidic than tea, which is only mildly acidic anyway. And it has been found to have beneficial antioxidant effects. See here for more info on acidity of tea http://ratetea.com/topic/acidity-of-tea/79/
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Quote Originally Posted by MadAmos View Post
    I usually get my loose leaf tea from The Republic of Tea between my wife and I we go through quite a lot.
    Is the Republic of Tea still around ?
    David Jones the department store used to sell them 20 years ago but unfortunately have long since ceased to. They have some wonderful teas like Moroocan Mint & Dragonwell. We've still got some containers.

    Now we have to make do with the TeaCentre and T2.
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    If you like green, red and white varieties - try an asian grocery store - they often have quite a variety.
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    Senior Member fountainpenkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    Quote Originally Posted by cedargirl View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by fountainpenkid View Post
    Just don't drink tea to often, and don't scorch your mouth with it either...remember it is an acid and can put one at a higher risk for cancer if consumed often.
    I really don't want this thread to be derailed by diet advice, but both fruit juices and sodas are more acidic than tea, which is only mildly acidic anyway. And it has been found to have beneficial antioxidant effects. See here for more info on acidity of tea http://ratetea.com/topic/acidity-of-tea/79/
    You are right, but the key is that the acid is hot. If you drink your tea warm, then you'll have no problem. Really, if you just drink tea normally, there is not a problem in the world with it, and as you said, the antioxidants are actually very good for you. I was being slightly sarcastic, but forgot to put a winky face.
    Will
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    Senior Member cedargirl's Avatar
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I can't do sarcastic, but how's this?
    Last edited by cedargirl; May 28th, 2013 at 01:14 AM. Reason: paste didn't work
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    Default Re: any loose leaf tea drinkers out there?

    I buy my Four Seasons Oolong from the shop near where I work. That is also where I get my Puer Char from. Then at work I just drink cheap Jasmine tea that I buy from the supermarket here. Good tea is easy to get her.

    But a vintage fountain pen is another story.
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