Been absent for a little while. I thought I would get this going with a fun little tidbit about Chinese tea culture. Send your questions about tea!
-SM
Q:Are you aware of a tea blend that could be readily purchased that is a mix between mint and green tea? I usually do the mix myself and sweeten accordingly, but the blend is never quite the same each time.
First, always keep trying to experiment! Second, for something like a specific blend of tea, I’d suggest going into a local tea shop and asking for opinions about what’s available.
I basically say that because, well, ordering a specific blend of tea for yourself over the internet may yield an odd result.
-SM
Hi Tea Junkies!
It’s been a while but you are not forgotten. I was just thinking of all of you while making an awesome cup of Qi Hong Mao Feng. It’s a Chinese black, that comes off as a darker, richer, debatably chocolatey tea.
I’ll have more posts for you all soon!
-SM
that-lunatic-slytherin asked: Hey, you know about tea and the like. What the heck is a latte made with ANYWAY?
Typically it’s steamed milk and coffee, but it’s very popular to replace the coffee (or espresso) with a chai mixture or some kind of tea. Very rarely is the tea actually “normal” or actual tea, but there are many tea houses that have their own styles of it that are delicious.
Matcha is a very tasty style of tea to serve with steamed milk. Makes for an excellent texture, especially with a bit of sugar. :D
Reblogging this message from my personal blog, since it definitely applies to Tea Junkie!
Source: mad-man-with-a-scarf
Q:Hello! Do you happen to have a recipe or suggestions for making a very GOOD chai tea latté? Thanks! ^_^
Personally, I haven’t. However, in the usual way a little research on Tumblr can give you a few tips.
Here are three different posts on chai that I took some time to find:
1. Home-Made Spiced Chai recipe
2. Chai recipe
3. How to Make Masala Chai - very nicely made video.
I hope this helps. Chai is a great style of tea (maybe I’ll devote a post or two to it soon).
Good luck!
-SM
Source: tea-connoisseur
Q:Hello tea junkies! A friend of mine recently had me do something very strange that turned out better than I'd hoped. She had me stir my black tea with a stick of dark chocolate. I didn't melt the whole thing, mind you, but the effect was brilliant. I'd highly recommend this to anyone out there that wants to try something different!
I’ve often considered different kinds of chocolate in different kinds of tea. I could imagine a black tea, the type that’s prepared with a bit of milk and sugar already, could really have a great taste brought out with it from some dark chocolate. Sadly, I’ve only tried tea/chocolate combinations a couple of times, and both times it seemed like it could always be better somehow, so I’ve held off really experimenting with it. Actually, the last great experiment I had with tea involved rooibos and espresso - and it was a very interesting sensation, not one that I suggest many people try.
I may try the chocolate + tea again today, since it’s a hit now! I can imagine a combination of lapsang souchong, milk, a little sugar, and some chocolate shaved in. I’m glad you enjoyed the combination. Never be afraid to experiment!
-SM
Q:I am wanting to start drinking loose leaf teas in the morning, and have several nice teas already picked out. What I'd love to know from teajunkie is, what kind tea making supplies would you recommend for a newbie to loose leaf. Kettle? Teapot? Metal mesh balls? Filters? Fancy cups? What would you consider the bare minimum for someone to start enjoying loose leaf teas?
I would say the bare minimum is what I had three years ago.
A mug:
a mesh tea ball:
and a kettle (stove-top or electric. A stove-top kettle gives you better control over the temperature of the water, unless you get a fancier electric kettle with temperature settings):
Really, that’s it. All you need is hot water and a place to put the tea. A mug and ball will probably cost you $5 together if you know where to look, while the kettle will be a little pricier unless you get it second-hand.
Don’t worry about teapots and filters and fancy china until you’ve got the basics down. Best of luck on the start of your loose leaf adventure!
-ML
Wednesday TEAching: Oolong Teas
Do oolong teas actually help with weight loss?
Oolong teas are often marketed for their ability to help the consumers shed pounds. The answer to that question, like many of my answers, is yes and no. Yes oolong tea contains some stronger concentrations of chemicals that help the body but no oolongs are not a miracle weight loss diet.
Oolong teas like all other teas contain chemicals that are really good for us. Green teas have and EGCG that aids in fat burning. Oolongs have polymerized polyphenols that help suppress appetite and aid in the absorption of carbs.
That being said, yes they help with the way the body handles its nutrients. Yes oolongs do contain some chemicals to help. But you can also obtain your goal by drinking many other types of tea because they all have the same chemicals.
Sorry again for the delay in posting. School has been kicking my butt! Good news is that we hit our 50 follower mark!!! Keep your eyes peeled for the giveaway item!
Have you ever noticed weight loss effects from oolong teas or any teas in general?
Hey followers, give this guy some love. He’s a bit like us, knows his stuff, and totally deserves a pile of followers!
Source: teaguide
Source: mad-man-with-a-scarf
my supermarket said it’s hot tea month. psh. EVERY month is hot tea month to me :)
Source: livestrong.com
Source: For All the Tea In China - Sarah Rose
