Help, please! I'm looking for some sort of "tea for dummies" - yes, I've
read the FAQ, and several books, and scores of websites and tea company
catalogs. What I'm really looking for is advice in how to branch out -
what to try first, and from there move on to something else, etc.

I love Earl Grey and English Breakfast teas. I know they are blends, and
don't know which way to branch out. I tend to think I should find
similar teas, and then teas similar to those, etc.

I'm learning some things - I'm pretty sure that the reason I think I
don't like green teas is because the friend who drinks them steeps for
no more than 30 seconds - for any of his teas - and so to me it tastes,
well, tasteless. When I told him about trying 2nd flush darjeeling, and
steeping for three minutes (tea was good - tasted like green beans, but
less so as it cooled off a bit, and when I tasted what was left in the
pot that was totally cooled, that taste disappeared) he gasped, certain
it should have been tossed out.

Is there some sort of suggested roadmap? I know to stay away from
sampler packages, based on what I've read here. And I know that even if
I never get past drinking only really terrific Earl Greys and English
Breakfasts, etc., that I'm still going to be happy. But I'd like to
learn more.

Any advice? Thanks!!

Resa

PS - I'm set (for now, anyway) in the kettle/teapot/infuser/water
filter/etc. area - I hear a collective sigh of relief!

PPS - Shouldn't unbrewed tea have a scent, some scent? When I open the
bags of tea I brought home the other day, there is no aroma at all. Does
that indicate tea that isn't fresh? They are a 2nd flush darjeeling, an
assam, and a keemun.