Tea ... who likes it?

[Mastropiero]

Kenyan teas are highly rated. This one is from a region with a volcanic mountain - in fact, Kirinyaga means "white mountain", a curious name as the ground in Africa is red so maybe in reference to snow capping? It immediately strikes me that regionally, it has a strong similarity to the Nuwara Eliya region in Sri Lanka ("High grown" Ceylon tea) which is a high mountain on top of a plateau - Nuwara Eliya means "city on the plain" upon which the mountain rises up.

You couldn't be more right mate. I noticed the similarity as soon as I smelt it. I was in Sri Lanka a few years ago, actually, didn't go to Nuwara Eliya but did go to Ella, visited a tea factory there.

Excellent tea all around, and very distinguishable from other teas, has a very unique personality.

 

[pjgh]

Cool! I just checked up on the elevation of the tea groves in Kirinyaga - 5000-6000 feet. Nuwara Eliya is 6000 feet.

I've tended to err on the side of white teas from Kenya, which are very fine indeed and a little more "spritely" than much of the Chinese white. Like the different between, say, Chardonnay and Soave.

 

[Rowlers]

To answer your original op question.....
I don't think I do.
I'm just not that keen or bothered it seems.
I am much preferring the other brews I am knocking up.
Has been interesting trying though.
I will continue for a bit longer, but I think my overall impression is ..... meh

My kinda thoughts too. I mean they're OK, but I really can't see me re-ordering any...

 

[Deleted member 2936]

Kenyan teas are highly rated. This one is from a region with a volcanic mountain - in fact, Kirinyaga means "white mountain", a curious name as the ground in Africa is red so maybe in reference to snow capping? It immediately strikes me that regionally, it has a strong similarity to the Nuwara Eliya region in Sri Lanka ("High grown" Ceylon tea) which is a high mountain on top of a plateau - Nuwara Eliya means "city on the plain" upon which the mountain rises up.

I've been to Kenya and around mount Kenya so yea I hear what you're saying about the ground generally being that red'ish colour

 

[Mastropiero]

Long Jin, Chinese grean tea, second brew as we speak. Rather lovely.

 

[Rowlers]

View attachment 82028

Long Jin, Chinese grean tea, second brew as we speak. Rather lovely.

I've tried a few second brews of green tea and I think it's awful, very weak flavour... Looks like you've got stalks and everything in there

 

[pjgh]

... one of the few green teas that I actually like. I tend to brew directly in a tall glass. Once the leaves sink (as they've given up their oils), it's good to drink. Or, so the story goes.

 

[Mastropiero]

I've tried a few second brews of green tea and I think it's awful, very weak flavour... Looks like you've got stalks and everything in there

I wouldn't go as far as calling it awful, but it is absolutely nowhere near the first steep. Other teas are still very good at second steep, this one is just enjoyable.

These tea leaves do look beautiful and herby I must say.

 

[Grarea]

I've tried a few second brews of green tea and I think it's awful, very weak flavour... Looks like you've got stalks and everything in there

lol, not huge tea fans are we?
I do enjoy adecent cup of coffee and was hoping the same here.

Today I did a milky (as in no water) Matcha. Not bad.
Tell the truth though, I put sugar in it and it all kind of disguises the taste of tea doesn't it?

 

[pjgh]

For a straight-up cuppa ... it's couple of bags of Yorkshire and full fat milk.

 

[Deleted member 2936]

Got this tea pot from Lidl, tenner including 2 year warranty

Like the design of it but main thing I got it for is that I want to start getting more into loose tea

 

[pjgh]

Good man! That'll do you ...

Many Chinese teas develop in character as you steep it over and over. Often, the first steep can and should be pretty rapid - as in err on the generous side of amount of tea to start with, pour in the water and pour it off pretty quickly. Second and subsequent steeps should be longer and longer. It's also a thing to pour off the tea into a serving jug to prevent it over-brewing.

You could look up the "Gong Fu" tea ceremony.

My only tip is to ensure that you're using the correct temperature water ...

Generally, Indian black tea likes a good rolling boil. Chinese black tea can take 95-100C, so boiled. Oolongs and whites can be anywhere between 80 and 90, so take the kettle off the boil once you hear it sorta start to go into the final boiling phase. Green can go down as low as 70, so take the kettle off the boil once you hear it begin to start boiling. Or, get a kettle with a temperature setting.

 

[Deleted member 2936]

Good man! That'll do you ...

Many Chinese teas develop in character as you steep it over and over. Often, the first steep can and should be pretty rapid - as in err on the generous side of amount of tea to start with, pour in the water and pour it off pretty quickly. Second and subsequent steeps should be longer and longer. It's also a thing to pour off the tea into a serving jug to prevent it over-brewing.

You could look up the "Gong Fu" tea ceremony.

My only tip is to ensure that you're using the correct temperature water ...

Generally, Indian black tea likes a good rolling boil. Chinese black tea can take 95-100C, so boiled. Oolongs and whites can be anywhere between 80 and 90, so take the kettle off the boil once you hear it sorta start to go into the final boiling phase. Green can go down as low as 70, so take the kettle off the boil once you hear it begin to start boiling. Or, get a kettle with a temperature setting.

How hot does a kettle get when you've boiled it?

Btw saw this at Lidl today, called teas made was about £50 no idea what it is, like some sort of automatic tea maker any idea what it is?

 

[pjgh]

How hot does a kettle get when you've boiled it?

Btw saw this at Lidl today, called teas made was about £50 no idea what it is, like some sort of automatic tea maker any idea what it is?

View attachment 82517

... as seen in every Granny's house circa 1975. Yes, it's an automatic tea maker. No, you should not consider one.

Boiling = 100C

 

[Deleted member 2936]

... as seen in every Granny's house circa 1975. Yes, it's an automatic tea maker. No, you should not consider one.

Boiling = 100C

Where they rubbish or something? Lol

Can't imagine the tea tasting nice in that antique looking thing lol

See thing is though like I was talking to my mum today and I said to her that i got the tea pot but she said loose tea doesn't taste as nice in her opinion from the kettle compared to when you boil it on the stove

Generally from what I've seen Indian/Pakistani tea is mostly boiled on the stove and tastes better that way like when I make an English cuppa, once made I put it in the microwave for a minute or so, it kinda cooks it better if that makes sense?