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Tea (rec.drink.tea) Discussion relating to tea, the world's second most consumed beverage (after water), made by infusing or boiling the leaves of the tea plant (C. sinensis or close relatives) in water. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Since we've had some discussions on supermarket teas today, I was
wondering what supermarket brands, if any, people in this group drink. I have tried and liked Red Rose and Salada. Red Rose used to be my favorite every day tea, but lately I've lost my taste for it. It seems too weak to me now, and it just can't compete with PG Tips or the Canadian version of Red Rose. Tetley British Blend is my current favorite of the supermarket teas. This is what I now drink at work. It has more tea per bag, so it makes a stronger brew, yet is not too strong to brew in the mug - unlike the Tetley sold in the UK and other British brands which ARE too strong for in-the-mug brewing, IMO. I used to not like Tetley's regular blend, but since they replaced the Original Blend with the Classic Blend, I think it is quite good, but still not quite strong enough for my taste. Any of these teas will do in a pinch. I do NOT like Lipton or Bigelow. BTW, has anyone seen the new Snapple teabags that are now on supermarket shelves? They are made by Redco Foods, which sells Red Rose and Salada in the US. They seem to be mostly fruit-flavored, so I am not terribly interested in trying them. Has anyone else tried them? |
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"Supermarket" Teas
I've totally given up on supermarket tea. I won't even buy tea at the
Asian megamart, because it all looks like low-grade stuff (I've tried a few and haven't been at all impressed). The good tea I order off the net is much, much, much tastier, not that expensive, and I can always order more when I'm down to my last quarter-pound (which is about two weeks' supply these days, probably going to be less when the weather warms up). --Blair |
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"Supermarket" Teas
I have been happy enough with Twinings in the past, but it is no
cheaper than the less exotic blends from Upton, or many of the bulk blends at my local CO-OP. I drink a fair amount of CTC Assam from the Co-Op and it is under 13 bucks a pound in bulk. I want to say the twinings I have bought in the past was more like 6 bucks for around 125 grams. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Earlier this month the cheapest green tea sold in a huge A&P supermarket in
Cliffwood, NJ (USA) was not Lipton, Tetley, or Red Rose, but goes under the brand name 'Asian Gourmet', which is imported by H.L. Benndorf Corp. of Medford, New Jersey. I've tried numerous green and "white" teas, including several of the fancy brands such as Choice, Numi, Tao, and Republic of Tea... but none of the fancy brands I've tried have a green/white tea anywhere near as aromatic as that cheap Asian Gourmet (AG) green tea. AG stands alone in that regard; so much so that its aroma is immediately noticable simply by sniffing the dry bag, and I have a terribly weak sense of smell! However, curiously the AG green tea's color was an unremarkable pale yellow and its flavor was not significantly different from aromaless Twinnings Pure & Natural Green Tea, which was the next lowest priced green tea available at the above mentioned store that day. I compared both teas by first microwave heating identicle glass mugs of charcoal filtered water to about 185F (85C). When the water in each mug cooled down to exactly 180F (82C) I began steeping a bag in it. The mugs were covered with cork coasters to minimize heat loss. Steeping time was exactly 10 minutes. Certainly I always get stronger tasting green/white teas from the premium brands. However, I've observed that I can get a heck of a lot more "bang for my buck" (for you Brits, buck=US$) by buying certain low cost brands. I can always add extra teabags of the cheap tea to the brew and still come out ahead both flavorwise and moneywise. I can buy a 100-quantity box of TenRen green tea bags (that are individually well sealed) at Costco for only US$6. Some Costco stores carry nicely painted 120-quantity steel canisters of Twinnings Earl Grey bags for only US$6. These are amazing values. "Pat" > wrote in message oups.com... > Since we've had some discussions on supermarket teas today, I was > wondering what supermarket brands, if any, people in this group drink. > I have tried and liked Red Rose and Salada. Red Rose used to be my > favorite every day tea, but lately I've lost my taste for it. It seems > too weak to me now, and it just can't compete with PG Tips or the > Canadian version of Red Rose. > > Tetley British Blend is my current favorite of the supermarket teas. > This is what I now drink at work. It has more tea per bag, so it makes > a stronger brew, yet is not too strong to brew in the mug - unlike the > Tetley sold in the UK and other British brands which ARE too strong for > in-the-mug brewing, IMO. > > I used to not like Tetley's regular blend, but since they replaced the > Original Blend with the Classic Blend, I think it is quite good, but > still not quite strong enough for my taste. > > Any of these teas will do in a pinch. I do NOT like Lipton or Bigelow. > > BTW, has anyone seen the new Snapple teabags that are now on > supermarket shelves? They are made by Redco Foods, which sells Red > Rose and Salada in the US. They seem to be mostly fruit-flavored, so I > am not terribly interested in trying them. Has anyone else tried them? > |
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"Supermarket" Teas
"Pat" > wrote in message oups.com... > Since we've had some discussions on supermarket teas today, I was > wondering what supermarket brands, if any, people in this group drink. > I have tried and liked Red Rose and Salada. Red Rose used to be my > favorite every day tea, but lately I've lost my taste for it. It seems > too weak to me now, and it just can't compete with PG Tips or the > Canadian version of Red Rose. > > Tetley British Blend is my current favorite of the supermarket teas. > This is what I now drink at work. It has more tea per bag, so it makes > a stronger brew, yet is not too strong to brew in the mug - unlike the > Tetley sold in the UK and other British brands which ARE too strong for > in-the-mug brewing, IMO. > > I used to not like Tetley's regular blend, but since they replaced the > Original Blend with the Classic Blend, I think it is quite good, but > still not quite strong enough for my taste. When I do drink bags, it is either Tetley's (the classic blend or the British Blend, though I don't like the way they've designed those British Blend strings on the bag) or PG Tips or Williamson and Magor (last summer for iced, pretty tasty). I tried Yorkshire Gold but actually didn't swoon over it the way some other folks did, I wouldn't rebuy it. I am not remembering the name at the moment but there's an Irish black tea, not sure if it comes in bags...Brook Bond? Something that has a b in it...anyway I want to try that someday when I get a chance. One bag I absolutely hated (really, it was the worst I've ever had I think) was a Bigelow Darjeeling teabag in an airport, it was terrible. It's the one in the pink pouch. Yeeeuk. Melinda |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Luzianne for iced tea in the summer. I like Celestial Seasoning teas,
but I mainly use their rooibos. Toci Pat wrote: > Since we've had some discussions on supermarket teas today, I was > wondering what supermarket brands, if any, people in this group drink. > I have tried and liked Red Rose and Salada. Red Rose used to be my > favorite every day tea, but lately I've lost my taste for it. It seems > too weak to me now, and it just can't compete with PG Tips or the > Canadian version of Red Rose. > > Tetley British Blend is my current favorite of the supermarket teas. > This is what I now drink at work. It has more tea per bag, so it makes > a stronger brew, yet is not too strong to brew in the mug - unlike the > Tetley sold in the UK and other British brands which ARE too strong for > in-the-mug brewing, IMO. > > I used to not like Tetley's regular blend, but since they replaced the > Original Blend with the Classic Blend, I think it is quite good, but > still not quite strong enough for my taste. > > Any of these teas will do in a pinch. I do NOT like Lipton or Bigelow. > > BTW, has anyone seen the new Snapple teabags that are now on > supermarket shelves? They are made by Redco Foods, which sells Red > Rose and Salada in the US. They seem to be mostly fruit-flavored, so I > am not terribly interested in trying them. Has anyone else tried them? |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Melinda wrote:
> > One bag I absolutely hated (really, it was the worst I've ever had I think) > was a Bigelow Darjeeling teabag in an airport, it was terrible. It's the one > in the pink pouch. Yeeeuk. Bigelow "Darjeeling" comes in a purple packet. I find most Bigelow, Stash and Twinings to be acceptable tea bags, along with Republic of Tea's "Blackberry Sage" and "Ginger Peach" blends. I won't touch Lipton. stePH in cup: nothing yet |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Melinda wrote: > > > > When I do drink bags, it is either Tetley's (the classic blend or the > British Blend, though I don't like the way they've designed those British > Blend strings on the bag) ----------> Those are the Drawstring Bags. You can get British Blend in ordinary round bags without strings at a lower price. With the drawstrings, you're paying for packaging. I am not > remembering the name at the moment but there's an Irish black tea, not sure > if it comes in bags...Brook Bond? Something that has a b in it...anyway I > want to try that someday when I get a chance. ----------> That would be Barry's Tea. It's very good. My local Albertson's just started carrying it, along with Lyons (another Irish brand) and PG Tips. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Knack wrote: .. Some Costco stores carry nicely > painted 120-quantity steel canisters of Twinings Earl Grey bags for only > US$6. These are amazing values. > Really? That is a very good price. I shall have to head over to Costco to see if I can find some. Thanks for the info. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Pat wrote: > BTW, has anyone seen the new Snapple teabags that are now on > supermarket shelves? They are made by Redco Foods, which sells Red > Rose and Salada in the US. They seem to be mostly fruit-flavored, so I > am not terribly interested in trying them. Has anyone else tried them? I tried (and still have some) of the Snapple Strawberry White Tea. It is terrible. You barely get one brewing and that is all. I've never seen tea that litterally produces pure water after having been brewed for 1 minute. Even though they claim it all natural it has a horrible artificial stawberry flavor. I was really bummed at the quality and taste. Some good supermarket teas a Kame Brand Chinese Restaurant Tea, PG Tips, Tazo, Republic of Tea, |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Of the supermarket types, I was rather disappointed by PG tips, but
have found consistent quality and taste out of Twinings. This is the original Earl Grey blend, and I think, still the best. I have begun my own business out here on the Vermont and New Hampshire border, called Moorgunn's Teaery, available on the web at moorgunnstea.com. We carry one of the finest Earl Grey and English Breakfast blends I have ever had, and dress it in our own unique packaging. I gave up on the market and went into wholesale and co-op offerings for the best tea. We obtain ours through importers. The tricky and expensive Pu-erh tea types are not yet in my price category realistically. Any one have any experience selling them in the states? |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Check out moorgunnstea.com. We sell gift boxes with some great retro
photography and down-home labeling. New England stuff, and only premium tea. Twinings, that you're talking about, is our favorite... outside of our own. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
For the quick (tea-bagged) supermarket brand cuppa I always return to
PG Tips. I never found a better brand (but I had to rely mostly on German supermarket-brands, which are incredebly bad, and I also tried different Twinings as well as Tetley). Tetley was ok, but it didn't get me. What I dislike is Twinings. I found it not really better than PG and esp. the "Darjeeling" (i doubt it is one) was groce. The price-to-value-ratio is really bad. You can get cheaper tea in far, far better quality at every tea shop around the corner. Also, here in Germany it is meanwhile (thank God) quite common to use real bergamotte oil for Earl Grey teas again, which is much better than this Twinings and other supermarket tea brands industry aroma stuff. Ok, the tea has a very much shorter durability than the ones with flavourings, because the oil gets rancy quite quickly, but IMHO it's *definitly* worth it. So, for me PG Tips is the best (yet tasted) supermarket brand. Dieter |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Melinda > wrote:
> > >When I do drink bags, it is either Tetley's (the classic blend or the >British Blend, though I don't like the way they've designed those British >Blend strings on the bag) or PG Tips or Williamson and Magor (last summer >for iced, pretty tasty). I tried Yorkshire Gold but actually didn't swoon >over it the way some other folks did, I wouldn't rebuy it. I am not >remembering the name at the moment but there's an Irish black tea, not sure >if it comes in bags...Brook Bond? Something that has a b in it...anyway I >want to try that someday when I get a chance. You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who swear by it. Brook Bond is what you'd get if Brooke Shields married James Bond. >One bag I absolutely hated (really, it was the worst I've ever had I think) >was a Bigelow Darjeeling teabag in an airport, it was terrible. It's the one >in the pink pouch. Yeeeuk. Dunno, but I am always apt to blame the water in airports. I spend too damn much time in airports too. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Scott Dorsey wrote:
> > You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of > assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who > swear by it. What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? stePH in cup: sencha (bulk) from Limbo, 2nd infusion |
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"Supermarket" Teas
stePH wrote: > What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? > Yes, Assam is the main component in most Irish Breakfast blends. I believe Twinings Irish Breakfast is a pure Assam (or close to it). I do not care for it. Bewley's Irish Breakfast is a blend of Assam and Darjeeling and is quite good and definitely worth a try. |
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"Supermarket" Teas
stePH > wrote:
>Scott Dorsey wrote: >> >> You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of >> assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who >> swear by it. > >What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? Yes. Bewley's is definitely in the "Irish breakfast" category. Even though the label does not describe it that way. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
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"Supermarket" Teas
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"Supermarket" Teas
stePH wrote:
> Scott Dorsey wrote: > > > > You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of > > assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who > > swear by it. > > What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? > > stePH, Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. Richard |
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"Supermarket" Teas
stePH wrote:
> Scott Dorsey wrote: > > > > You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of > > assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who > > swear by it. > > What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? > > stePH, Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. Richard |
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"Supermarket" Teas
richard wrote: > stePH wrote: > > Scott Dorsey wrote: > > > > > > You are thinking of Bewley's, which is a blend with a whole lot of > > > assam in it. I could never stomach it, but I have Irish friends who > > > swear by it. > > > > What's the typical "Irish Breakfast" blend? Isn't it mostly Assam? > > > > > stePH, > > Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. > To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand > differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. I just figured there was a reason Mr. Dorsey's Irish friends were partial to an Assam-heavy blend, and I also knew there was a particular kind of tea that dominated Irish Breakfast blends. stePH in cup: empty; recently contained jasmine pearl from Costco |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Larry Weil > writes:
> "richard" > wrote in news:1137726330.998120.162120 > @z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com: > > > > > Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. > > To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand > > differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. > > > > Can someone explain, in terms of which is stronger, the difference between > English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast? Not if that isn't the difference. I think you'll be disappointed if you expect consistency across all EBs or all IBs. Within one brand, it's a different matter: blenders' job is to make a brand consistent from year to year as far as is possible. I hope the following doesn't sound condescending: If strength is what you want, find the cheapest CTC tea available where you live (probably in a grocery frequented by South Asians and/or Arabs) and brew it as strong as you want. /Lew --- Lew Perin / http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html |
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"Supermarket" Teas
On Fri, 20 Jan 2006 21:17:15 +0000, Larry Weil wrote:
> "richard" > wrote in news:1137726330.998120.162120 > @z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com: > > >> Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. To >> make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand >> differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. >> >> > Can someone explain, in terms of which is stronger, the difference between > English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast? Too broad in their definitions and compositions. But I would expect the Irish to be stronger, the ones I saw were finer in their grade and brewed a very dark liquor, crying out for cream. JB |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Irish is Assam. English is half-Assam. Toci
Larry Weil wrote: > "richard" > wrote in news:1137726330.998120.162120 > @z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com: > > > > > Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. > > To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand > > differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. > > > > Can someone explain, in terms of which is stronger, the difference between > English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast? > > -- > Larry Weil > Lake Wobegone, NH |
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"Supermarket" Teas
Larry Weil > wrote:
>"richard" > wrote in news:1137726330.998120.162120 : > >> Usually Irish Breakfast teas are a blend of Assam and Kenyan teas. >> To make the dark liquor most use CTC grade 'leaf'. Obviously each brand >> differs and may put in some other origin to make their product unique. > >Can someone explain, in terms of which is stronger, the difference between >English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast? Irish Breakfast tends to be heavier and more robust. I guess that could mean "stronger" in a way. That's due to having more Assam and sometimes Kenyan tea rather than Chinese tea in the blend. English Breakfast blends can usually be drunk without milk if they are made weak, but Irish Breakfast is really too heavy to survive without it. --scott -- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." |
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