For the sake of my stomach, I’ve been trying to switch from coffee to tea in the morning. I’ve really gotten used to drinking a warm drink, but coffee really seems to get the stomach acid going. The problem is, I haven’t found a tea that I love. Lipton tastes okay, but I’m not looking forward to it as I tilt the cup toward my mouth for that first sip.
Beth gave me a variety pack of tea for Christmas. It’s Twinings brand tea, and they call the pack “Classics”. They’re all black tea blends. As of yesterday, I have tried all the flavors (…or should I say “flavours”?) Here is my assessment:
Earl Grey Tea: Besides tea, this is flavored with bergamot. I find it to be an odd flavor. It reminds me of the smell of Creeping Charlie, which is a weed I often pull out of my garden. A tea that reminds me of weeding? No thanks.
Lady Grey Tea: This has bergamot in in, but it also contains other fruity flavors. I like it better. It’s kind of herbal tasting. But it wouldn’t be my first choice.
English Breakfast Tea: It seems to be just a basic tea. It’s much smoother than Lipton, and has a hint of sweetness at the end. Since I don’t sweeten my tea, I really appreciate that. I like this and would actually buy it.
Irish Breakfast Tea: This is easily my favorite. It has a strong flavor. It’s sweet and reminds me of caramel and (as weird as it may sound) artichoke. Non-pickled artichokes have a distinct sweetness to them. This tea has all these good flavors mixed together. And it really works. I plan to buy a whole box of this.
How odd that you like Captain Picard’s tea the least. Now having tea with him would be awkward.
I’ve been trying to cut back on coffee, too. By 8 I’ve usually had three cups, and I’m trying to make one of those cups something different. My latest attempt has been a mug of hot water with a splash of fruit juice in it, which isn’t so bad – at least it’s hot. Yesterday I bought a canister of apple cider powder to try. I’m not thrilled about the fake-food aspect, but I’ll just use a little each time.
I think Early Grey is just short of disgusting. No, not short, just plain disgusting. Blech.
And now I want to try Irish Breakfast Tea…mmmm….artichokes…
Constant Comment is a winner at our house – has the orange spice thing going on. It’s great on chilly days…in the summer chilled…it also comes in decaffeinated in case that matters. Individual foil wrapping keeps it potent. (No, I do not own stock in this company…) I give it four teaspoons 🙂
I’m currently taste-testing a box of assorted decaffeinated Bigelow brand teas. Constant Comment is one of those. It was good, but I’m not a big fan of cinnamon/spice stuff. I overdosed on that kind of scented candle 🙁
I’m sticking with coffee. Tea reminds me of when I was sick as a little girl. My grandmother would make a cup and then pour it in the saucer to cool. I drank my tea from a saucer. Now that I think about it, that’s weird!
I never drank tea until we started going to Tea Rooms with the book club. I remember liking something that had an orange taste, a cinnamon taste, & a caramel taste.
But I love artichokes! But I don’t know about a drink that tastes like them???
Brad & Beth: How do you eat artichokes? I drizzle mine with oil, stuff in some fresh garlic & mint, S&P and cook them in about a 1/2 pot of boiling water. Then scrape the leaves with my teeth. And of course gobble up the heart at the end.
PS….And no cheese!!
We boil artichokes with no oil, garlic, or mint.
After cooking, we pull off the leaves, dip them in melted butter (VERY salty butter in my case), and scrape them with our teeth. At then end, cut the heart up into the butter and try to suck up as much salty butter as you can while eating the heart chunks. Mmm.. salty buttery heart chunks…
Hmmm…..I may have to try that.
Dang, where’s an artichoke when you need one.