How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo
Sir, I am British. Need I say more?



In that case I shall.



I remember thinking, "What was it those adults were drinking out of hot
cups?" All I was allowed was milk. I was unable to voice my dissatisfaction
with the state of affairs until I had acquired enough motor control to reach
out and point at the teapot.



"Oh look, he wants some tea, how charming."



I was very frustrated at not being able to persuade my family to give me any
tea until I had acquired the word "Tea." This was a step forward for me.
However, much to my disappointment, what passed for so-called tea, was, in
fact, more milk with a teaspoon full of tea. I was probably at least four
before I was drinking a reasonably satisfying cup of tea. But, horrifying as
this sounds, I would have to wait a few more years before I graduated to the
dark, potent, masculine brew.



Mr. Firefly, ask not what other people do not understand. It is of no
consequence. Perhaps they have only been given floor sweepings in a bag. My
poor culturally deprived American wife thought that they sold tea in the
supermarket. Ha! I said to her. Those little bags of decaying dust wrapped
in cellophane don't even come close to tea. Why would she, or anyone, like
such an insipid drink? But when she had sampled the real thing, there was no
going back, her cultural deprivation came thankfully to an end. Now at the
mere mention of tea, her eyes shine with a blissful light, she radiates
benevolence and good will. And she hasn't even had any yet. That's just the
mention of it.



Fascination you say Mr. Firefly. Are you suggesting tea is hypnotic? I hope
you are not casting aspersions on the salubrious brew?



Now when I was a boy of about 10, my friend Terry and I tried smoking tea.
He lived down the road from me in the same small village. Somehow or other
we had managed to get a couple of pipes. We filled them up with tea, as
access to tobacco wasn't readily available. We had some discussion as to
whether we should blow or suck. I was for sucking, but Terry insisted on
blowing. On the count of three, we tried our methods. In the next instant,
my bedroom was filled with smoke, I was coughing and spluttering, and Terry's
eyes were wide with fear as he saw the entire lighted contents of his pipe
launch towards the ceiling. We gave up smoking tea. We were fire hazards.

"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo
Sir, I am British. Need I say more?



In that case I shall.



I remember thinking, "What was it those adults were drinking out of hot
cups?" All I was allowed was milk. I was unable to voice my dissatisfaction
with the state of affairs until I had acquired enough motor control to reach
out and point at the teapot.



"Oh look, he wants some tea, how charming."



I was very frustrated at not being able to persuade my family to give me any
tea until I had acquired the word "Tea." This was a step forward for me.
However, much to my disappointment, what passed for so-called tea, was, in
fact, more milk with a teaspoon full of tea. I was probably at least four
before I was drinking a reasonably satisfying cup of tea. But, horrifying as
this sounds, I would have to wait a few more years before I graduated to the
dark, potent, masculine brew.



Mr. Firefly, ask not what other people do not understand. It is of no
consequence. Perhaps they have only been given floor sweepings in a bag. My
poor culturally deprived American wife thought that they sold tea in the
supermarket. Ha! I said to her. Those little bags of decaying dust wrapped
in cellophane don't even come close to tea. Why would she, or anyone, like
such an insipid drink? But when she had sampled the real thing, there was no
going back, her cultural deprivation came thankfully to an end. Now at the
mere mention of tea, her eyes shine with a blissful light, she radiates
benevolence and good will. And she hasn't even had any yet. That's just the
mention of it.



Fascination you say Mr. Firefly. Are you suggesting tea is hypnotic? I hope
you are not casting aspersions on the salubrious brew?



Now when I was a boy of about 10, my friend Terry and I tried smoking tea.
He lived down the road from me in the same small village. Somehow or other
we had managed to get a couple of pipes. We filled them up with tea, as
access to tobacco wasn't readily available. We had some discussion as to
whether we should blow or suck. I was for sucking, but Terry insisted on
blowing. On the count of three, we tried our methods. In the next instant,
my bedroom was filled with smoke, I was coughing and spluttering, and Terry's
eyes were wide with fear as he saw the entire lighted contents of his pipe
launch towards the ceiling. We gave up smoking tea. We were fire hazards.

How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.


I would say that I was always interested in teas moreso than coffee,
not really sure why exactly. Coffee just seemed a normal part of life
in my upbringing with the two cups my parents imbibed each morning
before work, and I never took a taste to it. They always got a cheap
brand with the cheap filters and drank it because of it's properties
and not for any cultural reasoning. I must say that some of the
higher quality coffees can be quite good, but it still didn't seem my
....cup of chai. heh.

I would wander aficionado shops and gander at all the different brands
and I recall having no idea where to even begin my sampling and
education in regards to tea. It seemed that all of them were scented
with this herb and had that property that was good for this or that.
Then you had the inexplicitly expensive teas and little knowledge from
the counter-maid to justify. I come from a rather small area in the
US, and even my trips to our capital didn't prove to be beneficial in
my hedge-interest. The money was in coffee. The other option was the
grocery store...which only sold Twinning's Earl Grey and English
Breakfast.

I really began to get into tea seriously when there was an available
venue, which was when I went to China. I learned a lot about
different sorts of green teas when I was in the Western, Sichuan
province and I learned about the more well known Wulongs and more
popular teas when I lived in the southeast. It just seemed like a
normal part of life to drink tea there, and it was one of the
adaptations that I made very willingly. They drink tea in restaurants
and even in bars sometimes. But, it's not like most coffee in the US,
drank for effect rather than enjoyment. It's for culture, it's for
tradition, it's for honor, it's for relaxing. It's also not always
about spending money to enjoy a really good tea. It's about making
friends, but not like at Starbucks.

It's becoming that way though. I suppose it can be that way in every
country given the money making opportunity.

Now that I have returned to America, I am seen as an eccentric and I
am placated by those that cannot understand their own palates or have
their palates be more open-minded. They see my interest in Gongfu Cha
as a 'chinese tea party' and say that my pu'er tastes like dirt and my
wulong tastes strange...they want to add sugar or milk or something
else. They think real Chinese tea is the Green tea scented with
apples or cherries and is sold at books-a-million. This is my reality
here, and this is why I post here religiously now; so happy to find
others that know the differences between a good wulong and a poor one
and have tasted the differences.

I am also here to learn. I know there are people here that have
knowledge that far surpasses mine, and I find it excellent and I only
hope that I can share what little I know in the conversation. Isn't
this the only to truly learn? For instance, I know little about other
types of teas around the world other than Chinese. I hope to be
educated here.

Hope this suffices. heh.







Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.


I would say that I was always interested in teas moreso than coffee,
not really sure why exactly. Coffee just seemed a normal part of life
in my upbringing with the two cups my parents imbibed each morning
before work, and I never took a taste to it. They always got a cheap
brand with the cheap filters and drank it because of it's properties
and not for any cultural reasoning. I must say that some of the
higher quality coffees can be quite good, but it still didn't seem my
....cup of chai. heh.

I would wander aficionado shops and gander at all the different brands
and I recall having no idea where to even begin my sampling and
education in regards to tea. It seemed that all of them were scented
with this herb and had that property that was good for this or that.
Then you had the inexplicitly expensive teas and little knowledge from
the counter-maid to justify. I come from a rather small area in the
US, and even my trips to our capital didn't prove to be beneficial in
my hedge-interest. The money was in coffee. The other option was the
grocery store...which only sold Twinning's Earl Grey and English
Breakfast.

I really began to get into tea seriously when there was an available
venue, which was when I went to China. I learned a lot about
different sorts of green teas when I was in the Western, Sichuan
province and I learned about the more well known Wulongs and more
popular teas when I lived in the southeast. It just seemed like a
normal part of life to drink tea there, and it was one of the
adaptations that I made very willingly. They drink tea in restaurants
and even in bars sometimes. But, it's not like most coffee in the US,
drank for effect rather than enjoyment. It's for culture, it's for
tradition, it's for honor, it's for relaxing. It's also not always
about spending money to enjoy a really good tea. It's about making
friends, but not like at Starbucks.

It's becoming that way though. I suppose it can be that way in every
country given the money making opportunity.

Now that I have returned to America, I am seen as an eccentric and I
am placated by those that cannot understand their own palates or have
their palates be more open-minded. They see my interest in Gongfu Cha
as a 'chinese tea party' and say that my pu'er tastes like dirt and my
wulong tastes strange...they want to add sugar or milk or something
else. They think real Chinese tea is the Green tea scented with
apples or cherries and is sold at books-a-million. This is my reality
here, and this is why I post here religiously now; so happy to find
others that know the differences between a good wulong and a poor one
and have tasted the differences.

I am also here to learn. I know there are people here that have
knowledge that far surpasses mine, and I find it excellent and I only
hope that I can share what little I know in the conversation. Isn't
this the only to truly learn? For instance, I know little about other
types of teas around the world other than Chinese. I hope to be
educated here.

Hope this suffices. heh.







Mydnight

--------------------
thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.

I just started lurking around in this news group but just had to add my
two cents worth here particularly since you asked "why tea when the
world is interested in coffee?". Well, what got me interested in tea
actually was coffee. I started drinking coffee back in college to help
me stay awake when studying or when working nights. I never drank it
because I actually enjoyed the flavor until later when a friend of mine
introduced me to beans and a grinder. Recently I started experimenting
with french press and vacuum brewing and promptly tossed my Mr Coffee
Gourmet in the garbage. I'm also roasting my own beans now. As with
coffee in the past I was never very fond of tea particularly green tea.
I figured I could just grab a hand full of grass from my backyard and
do just as well. I was amazed at what a difference fresh beans and
proper preparation made to coffee so I decided to see if the same
applied to tea. Maybe I would like tea if it was fresh, high quality
and prepared properly. Of course, you know the answer to that question.
I find it interesting that most people seem to like either tea or
coffee. I love them both. This is advantageous since I can brew a pot
of coffee that will knock the socks off of my coffee drinking friends
and then turn around and brew a pot of tea to knock the socks off of my
tea drinking friends. One or the other usually turns into the topic of
conversation since most of my friends had never experienced tea or
coffee outside of the supermarket variety. It's amazing what people
will accept because they don't know any different. What's really fun is
that I'm just barely beginning to scratch the surface of the coffee and
tea world and there is still so much to learn and experiment with.

Matt

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

Some people I know do seem to think it's eccentric, but I don't think that's
the tea itself they're reacting to. What they seem to find eccentric is the
attention to detail when brewing, the desire to learn more about tea, and
the care I take in tasting and enjoying it. Our culture tends to devalue
anything that isn't hurried, anything that smacks of patience and devotion,
so I suspect that's why some folks just don't get why we are interested in
tea.

My friend introduced me to green tea in a bag about this time last year. I
was interested in the stuff, so I pulled out a book from the library. When
I read about whole leaf teas and their astonishing variety, I set out to
learn more. Fortunately there are dozens of vendors online (I too live in
an area where no local retailers sell decent teas in any variety) who are
always willing to help me learn a little more, for the right price.

Jennifer

"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

Some people I know do seem to think it's eccentric, but I don't think that's
the tea itself they're reacting to. What they seem to find eccentric is the
attention to detail when brewing, the desire to learn more about tea, and
the care I take in tasting and enjoying it. Our culture tends to devalue
anything that isn't hurried, anything that smacks of patience and devotion,
so I suspect that's why some folks just don't get why we are interested in
tea.

My friend introduced me to green tea in a bag about this time last year. I
was interested in the stuff, so I pulled out a book from the library. When
I read about whole leaf teas and their astonishing variety, I set out to
learn more. Fortunately there are dozens of vendors online (I too live in
an area where no local retailers sell decent teas in any variety) who are
always willing to help me learn a little more, for the right price.

Jennifer

"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

This newsgroup is actually what sparked my interest. Beyond that, I
have always enjoyed fine coffee, beer, wine, and other spirits; so tea
being another potentially addictive fluid, I was a natural for it.
After trying some tea that didn't come in a box, I found that I really
enjoyed the various subtle flavors tea had to offer, and I also
appreciated the simplicity of it as compared to coffee or beer.

Steve

Rufus T. Firefly wrote:
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

On 27 Nov 2004 21:09:07 -0800, Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

It's not a very exciting story.

My parents are from "The South." I grew up with a pitcher of iced tea
in the refrigerator no matter the season - granted, it was the
"instant" variety, which I now can't stand.

In high school, I wanted a hot beverage with caffeine to help keep me
awake. Coffee literally makes me sick to my stomach. I love the smell
of the beans, but the flavor is not to my taste, and it's not worth
the after effects.

So, tea it was. Simple things at first - whatever I could get in the
Twinnigs cans in the grocery store, then Republic of Tea products as
they came available. But in graduate school, I discovered real tea. A
local tea shop existed with a wide selection of loose leaf teas.

That first visit was when I started my path down the long black
road... well, actually, sometimes it's green, white, or oolong.


--
Derek

"Ever wonder why people are so determined to reach for white picket
fences, supposed normalcy, a nuclear family? Well, try growing up
without one." -- Chuck Eddy

On 27 Nov 2004 21:09:07 -0800, Rufus T. Firefly wrote:

How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

It's not a very exciting story.

My parents are from "The South." I grew up with a pitcher of iced tea
in the refrigerator no matter the season - granted, it was the
"instant" variety, which I now can't stand.

In high school, I wanted a hot beverage with caffeine to help keep me
awake. Coffee literally makes me sick to my stomach. I love the smell
of the beans, but the flavor is not to my taste, and it's not worth
the after effects.

So, tea it was. Simple things at first - whatever I could get in the
Twinnigs cans in the grocery store, then Republic of Tea products as
they came available. But in graduate school, I discovered real tea. A
local tea shop existed with a wide selection of loose leaf teas.

That first visit was when I started my path down the long black
road... well, actually, sometimes it's green, white, or oolong.


--
Derek

"Ever wonder why people are so determined to reach for white picket
fences, supposed normalcy, a nuclear family? Well, try growing up
without one." -- Chuck Eddy

(Rufus T. Firefly) writes:

How did everyone get interested in tea?

I went to see a practitioner of Chinese medicine who had an excellent
reputation. His most important prescription was that I should give up
coffee.

Was it the caffeine? No, the essential oils.

So, could I get my caffeine via tea? Sure, no problem, tea is fine
for you.

I was skeptical, but figured it was hardly likely to hurt me, so I was
willing to try his advice.

The next day, I switched to tea. I never experienced caffeine
withdrawal, but a couple of nights later I spent about four sleepless
hours feeling as if I had a bad case of flu. By dawn I was fine.

Soon I was looking around for what new tastes and smells tea could
offer, on RFDT among other places. I honestly can't say whether there
have been health benefits, but coffee, which I rarely drink now, seems
so limited in comparison to tea.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

South Louisiana in the 70's was not a hotbed of tea drinkers !... When
Community Coffee"Paquet Rouge" is the mainstay, (very cultural...the Cajun
French and coffee)and where Cafe du Monde Coffee and Chickory with
beignets
are the rage of all the vistors. I grew up on French Roasted
Coffee...Seaport Brand. It was not until in the military that tea showed
up...and then only at the "Chinese" Restaurants... I loved the hot
tea...not
sure what it was...may some oolong dustings...Then in college I ran into
some "kindred spirits" and we discovered Twinings China Black loose tea in
the tin...very strong and satisfying brew considering the coffee that we
drank pots of it daily...Later years enter Celestial Seasonings Red
Zinger,
Emperor Choice, etc....then a hiatus...just recently I began wanting to go
back to China Black...couldn't find the Twinings (it is available in
teabags
!!)...so enter the 'net...I was astounded at the returns on China
Black...I
found 5 or 6 that I had to try and of course they were the more expensive
ones...nonetheless...this lead to the purchase of 2 yixing teapots...then
I
decided to try TKY...of course it had to be competition grade monkey
picked
(Specialteas). I'm hooked...I loved the blacks, couldn't get enough of
the
oolongs, greens are for pallets way above mine...I found DaHongPao and
TiHuLan...bought a artisan grade yixing for the DaHongPao...Now my problem
is how to make time to drink all that tea....Hey, but I'm working on it.
I
still drink coffee, grind my own beans (home and work)...but I truly enjoy
my teas...the wife truly enjoys the TiGuanYin with me....

Doug
Original reply was to rufus not the group...
"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

South Louisiana in the 70's was not a hotbed of tea drinkers !... When
Community Coffee"Paquet Rouge" is the mainstay, (very cultural...the Cajun
French and coffee)and where Cafe du Monde Coffee and Chickory with
beignets
are the rage of all the vistors. I grew up on French Roasted
Coffee...Seaport Brand. It was not until in the military that tea showed
up...and then only at the "Chinese" Restaurants... I loved the hot
tea...not
sure what it was...may some oolong dustings...Then in college I ran into
some "kindred spirits" and we discovered Twinings China Black loose tea in
the tin...very strong and satisfying brew considering the coffee that we
drank pots of it daily...Later years enter Celestial Seasonings Red
Zinger,
Emperor Choice, etc....then a hiatus...just recently I began wanting to go
back to China Black...couldn't find the Twinings (it is available in
teabags
!!)...so enter the 'net...I was astounded at the returns on China
Black...I
found 5 or 6 that I had to try and of course they were the more expensive
ones...nonetheless...this lead to the purchase of 2 yixing teapots...then
I
decided to try TKY...of course it had to be competition grade monkey
picked
(Specialteas). I'm hooked...I loved the blacks, couldn't get enough of
the
oolongs, greens are for pallets way above mine...I found DaHongPao and
TiHuLan...bought a artisan grade yixing for the DaHongPao...Now my problem
is how to make time to drink all that tea....Hey, but I'm working on it.
I
still drink coffee, grind my own beans (home and work)...but I truly enjoy
my teas...the wife truly enjoys the TiGuanYin with me....

Doug
Original reply was to rufus not the group...
"Rufus T. Firefly" wrote in message
m...
How did everyone get interested in tea? Many of you have lived in
Asia, but are not from Asia. Did your interest develop after you went
to Asia? Why tea when the world is interested in coffee? (I,
personally, have never liked coffee, but I envy those who do.) How do
those around you view your fascination with tea (for those fascinated
with tea)? Do they see it as eccentric? It is obviously not very
eccentric when you're caught up in it, but I fear most people cannot
understand this interest, regardless of where in the world one might
be.

Excitedly awaiting your stories,

Rufus T. Firefly
Tokyo

Christopher Richards wrote:

Sir, I am British. Need I say more?

In that case I shall.

Obsequious use of "shall". Say no more -- you're British.

--crymad