I HAVE TEA AGAIN! REJOICE! Kettle and tea reviews, found here.

[lyssabard]

Last week, I received a house warming prezzie from my fairygothmother, thewronghands. There was, however, a small problem: I lacked my awesome Breville tea kettle, with multiple temperature selection for producing awesome tea, and I did not pack a teapot or any filtering device. In my defense, I was already 68lbs overweight on ONE back, so, I guess that's ok. (

Comments

[heron61]

That sounds like awesome tea awesomeness. I use a pot on the stove and a thermometer, but your new pot sounds vastly better. I especially like the presence of 150 degree setting. I use 150 for oolong and green teas that I make as iced tea - I let the tea steep for 30-60 minutes and so all flavors are released, but the water is cool enough to keep it from getting bitter.

Also, while far from cheap, osmanthus oolong makes the absolute best iced tea ever and works perfectly with this method.

[lyssabard]

Huh. I would think that amount of time at 150 would be bitter, but maybe oolong is heartier than I think.
And cold overnight steeping on greens and whites FTW. (Though Dragonwell needs heat, imho.)

So, if you like osmanthus oolong as much as I do, try Ontario Ice Wine from New Mexico Tea Company. :) (This addiction also brought to you by thewronghands).

Wen Shan pouchong is also lovely. I wish I knew what grade/kind I had from Ten Ren, but I have liked the pouchong teas that I have tried from there.

Tea FTW!

[teaotter]

I actually do find some of John's iced teas bitter (he doesn't, so, ymmv) but the iced osmanthus oolong is truly amazing.

[lyssabard]

Agreed on iced osmanthus oolong--I make iced tea out of it frequently.

So, this pitcher has become my saving grace for cold brewing. I used to use Teavana's glass Amandine pitcher, but it broke, frequently. This is still going and though it can be a pita to clean the filter if you don't have a bottle brush and the tea is fine (Do NOT let it dry with leaves in it. Evar.) it is easy to replace and easy to upkeep and easy to use for cold or hot/cold brewing.

Usually I brew and then ice it--the pitcher is made for that. I adore it.

[kiarrith]

looking forward to more reviews :)

[lyssabard]

Will do! :)

[elenbarathi]

Mmmm, your review here is so delectable, this tea must be amazing!

[lyssabard]

I certainly thing it is. And I am trying to get back into writing more. :)

[fallconsmate]

.....i was going to say that Stash makes a lovely licorice spice tea*bag*, but you're obviously well past me as a tea-lover.

(notice i did not say teaSNOB or anything like that. i'm amazed at the difference in the processing of teas, etc, and i HAVE once sat in a japanese tea ceremony, so i DO understand a wee bit. it's just PAST my ability to Cope With on a regular basis.) :)

[lyssabard]

I like Mighty Leaf bags, and hey, I totally agree with you. If I hadn't invested in ways to make loose leaf easier for myself (and genuinely fallen in love with the taste), I probably wouldn't have started. But I have found that making tea can be a relaxing and meditative part of my day, a ritual in and of itself that grounds and soothes.

Also, you can buy awesome paper filters to put your loose leaf tea in it, and there you have a wee tea bag for a cup or pot. thewronghands has the best hookup here. (Um...and I have to hit her up for another batch...*blush*)

[fallconsmate]

i'm *not* above digging out a tea ball or making tea in an actual teapot (and i have an electric kettle for boiling of the water) but...most of the time it's a teabag of licorice spice (which is good with NO sweeteners added) or some sleepytime.

cause i'm lazy like that...it's the 3rd of december here in texas and i had to turn the a/c back on today. that doesn't lend me to want to make hot tea, you know? that's a cold weather thing for me mostly!

[lyssabard]

Hey, people like what they like. No judgement from here. :)

I am also an iced tea freak, more often even than hot tea, so I hear you. (I tend to run hot, too.)

[hummingwolf]

You. Are. Adorable. Just saying.

[lyssabard]

I try. A girl wants to be interesting. :)
And dammit, I want to write more and be an LJ/internet presence, dammit.