"Fludge" > wrote in message
...
> Hi.
> I just wanted to right and set the record straight on something. I
> recognise that my recent post about fine teas offended some people, and
I'm
> sorry for that. I didn't mean to appear like a capitalist jock, although,
> couching my enquiry in economic terms didn't help my case. I'm not rich,
if
> that's what you're thinking, I'm just a student. The tea I drink comes
from
> the supermarket and gets brewed ina mug, so I'm by no means knowledgeable.
> In fact, I know nothing. That's why I came here, I was just looking for
> some advice really. If I just wanted the most expensive tea, I could have
> gone shopping and picked the pricyest one off the shelf. What I was
really
> trying to say was, what's a good tea, a fine tea, a respected tea, an
> impressive tea, and if it's costly, I'm willing to cover that in order to
> acquire something really wonderful. That's the way round I meant it, not
> what's a pricey tea because it's bound to be good, but, rather, what's a
> wonderful tea and I guess it'll therefore be pricey. I didn't mean to
> appear ignorant, although I now see that's how it came across. I just
> wanted to know what teas people respect, people who know about these
things,
> unlike myself. I didn't want to just buy the most expensive thing off the
> shelf, I wanted to know what you guys go for, seeing as it seems like you
> know a thing or two. So I'm sorry, Ripon, if I offended you, I didn't
mean
> to, I'm not some spoilt brat, I'm just looking to find something that
isn't
> PG Tips for a change. I thought you might be able to help. Thanks.

Am I too late to hop on this thread?

What I would do - I would buy a range of teas. For one-stop shopping, I
would recommend specialteas.com,
good prices and good selection.

I would purchase a few types to cover a range of tea styles. One english
style such as english breakfast which would be close in style but maybe
better quality then PG Tips, one other black such as ceylon (excellent with
no milk or sugar), a chinese oolong, and a green. Maybe a white tea too.
And don't forget to get a teeli (a tea strainer) - it's much better than a
tea ball.

The reason I would do this is because taste in tea varies from person to
person. For example I like the subtle taste of white teas, but my wife
likes nothing other than bold english style black teas. She just doesn't
get white tea, can't taste it. And her teas I can drink but don't enjoy as
much as others. Neither of us has more refined, or 'better' taste than the
other, just different. So the above spectrum may be just the thing to get,
YMMV

-ben