Informal Poll for a Worldwide Audience: How do you like your tea?
Subtropic Pixel
Posts: 2,388
Apologies to the Mods if this is the wrong place...but it's not a "complaint" and wouldn't go anywhere else. And yet, with such a great worldwide audience, this seems like it would be a wonderful way to get to know each other a little bit better.
So I'll start off: I'm usually a coffee drinker. But I'm sick today so I'm drinking tea because it's somehow soothing and more hydrating than coffee. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
So while I have my hot tea here, I'll set this up. Following the line below, you'll see my little questionaire. You don't need to use it of course, but this might offer some interesting insight. Answer only what you wish, and please feel free to add more info, especially if it's funny, interesting, or even scary. lol!
How often do you drink tea?
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
What do you eat with your tea?
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection?
Did I forget to ask a critical tea-loving question? If so, please make up your own question and answer it!
Thanks for playing, this should be fun! 
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Comments
-in the afternoon (2:00-ish)
- Yorkshire Gold - in bags
- 2 minute steep in the mug
- drink while hot
- milk, one teaspoon of sugar
So here are my answers:
How often do you drink tea?
Not that often...maybe once every few months.
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
Factory Tea. I don't really know where to look in the US for GOOD tea, so I often drink Bigelo or Lipton or whatever's at Sam's Club or the grocery store.
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
Bigelo and Lipton actually are not that bad at all, but I suspect that my mind would be blown if somebody could turn me on to a real high-level tea.
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
I drink it hot when I'm sick and iced during the hot florida summers.
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
I steep my tea for 10 minutes, whether it's for a hot cup or for iced tea. I like tea strong, or at least I think I do. Which is weird, because I drink light and medium roast coffees; never the espressos or cappucinos.
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
I add nothing to my hot tea. For iced tea, I will add Splenda or some kind of sweetener before I bring the temperature down, but never cream or creamer. Also different from coffee...I add artificial sweeteners and creamers to my coffee.
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
I still AM a newbie!
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection?
I have English, Nordic, Medeterranean, and African roots. It would be interesting to know if my ancestors preferred coffee or tea in those places, and what were the most popular teas and methods used in history. One of these days, I'll seek it out on Wikipedia and/or watch a few Discovery/History Chanel shows on the topic. It's probably at least as interesting as the "Dancing Goats" story about how coffee was discovered in ancient Yemen!
What do you eat with your tea?
Usually nothing, but I have had dark Italian chocolate with a robust Tzao (I forget which flavor), and that opened up my mind to new possibilities!
Twinings Irish Breakfast is my favorite, but it's expensive and the packaging is wasteful. So, I usually go for
1 Bag of Barry's Gold stuffed into a Thermos
Not quite boiling water poured over
A gentle turn of the thermos
Put milk into a mug and get it to room temperature by adding a splash of the boiled water
After 5 minutes or so, give the Thermos a couple of quick shakes
Pour into the mug and enjoy
I find this method maximizes the caffeine while retaining the herbal flavor.
Fascinating! Thanks for the recipe; I might try this. I have had Twinnings (I'm thinking probably black or Earl Grey; that's easily available in grocery stores here in the US.
How often do you drink tea?
Around 5-7 times a day. I also drink coffee with chocolate in it.
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
Either. If i'm lazy or have no time ill use a bag from a company, if i'm not ill use macha power (which is also green tea, just made from powdered leaves, but it's quicker to call it macha).
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
"Green" in bag and powder form. Sometimes I get fancy types like spearmint green tea (which sounds gross but is actually nice).
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
Either!
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
2 minutes for a bag as I like it sweeter. Green tea "burns" at above 80℃ so I part fill the cup with cold water then fill the rest with boiling. Macha powder doesn't need steeping, I mix it with water with a wisk and add hot water.
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
Nope! I do eat stuff with it though.
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
Specifically to green tea don't go over 80℃ (no idea what that is in the other system, i'll guess 526) and use the cold/hot water trick. Oh and if you're using bags, use two for cold tea.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection?
I can quit any time I want. I just don't.
Did I forget to ask a critical tea-loving question? If so, please make up your own question and answer it!
What do you eat with the tea?
Whatever is lying around!
I usually prefer coffee, but I have been drinking more tea lately, at least two cups a day. I prefer chamomile or mint teas, usually drunk hot and plain. No milk or sweeteners.
I have had Tzao with Italian dark chocolate once...one of my friends who had come here from Russia (Moscow area) treated me once to that. Oh man, that was delicious! We just sat and chatted over tea and chocolate like two little old ladies, lol!
After the Italian chocolate episode, I threw away all my preconceptions about tea and complementary flavors. I should look for spearming green; it's probably very good.
Oh that's right; I have a water pot for teas, and it has different settings on it for "green", "black", "boil" and others. I use that if I'm making more than one cup. For just a cup like I'm drinking now, I just used my old Keurig to dispense the hot water.
I have noticed that I need more tea bags for iced tea, and I actually let them steep longer. Maybe I should add bags and shorten the steep time so that the tea doesn't taste bitter or otherwise in need of sweeteners.
Nice. That's my feeling about breathing!
Great question and answer! I'll add it to the questionnaire.
I am not a coffee drinker, hate the smell and the taste. I drink lots of tea, but usually the cold variety (Lipton brisk with lemon). I do like hot tea, but only when it's cold and I am in the mood for it with a little honey and lemon..
For tea I like different kinds of boba like with jasmine, matcha, mango, red bean, or hibiscus and for hot tea white, matcha, oolong, or red
I have had Chamomile tea too...I suppose I've tried more flavors than I gave myself credit for.
There's a thing with (I assume all) teas where they develop different flavors at different points of steeping (it's a big thing with some fancy teas and i'm sure you can find a guide for most, or just experiment).
So like the first minute will be "bitter" then the next "sweet", then the next something else and so on and so on. Sometimes people reuse the same leaves for multiple brewings to get all the different flavors.
Generally the later stages are the bittery ones so using two bags you can get the strength with the right flavor. So I assume you could scale the amount bags to get it to any taste/strength point! I mean it's also quicker, which is always good.
tea ?
For sure, I may try that later tonight when I have another cup. And tea is so cheap that using more bags isn't a bad thing, and might even allow me to go through my inventory faster and keep refreshing my stocks.
Yeah, it's kind of a thing all around the world. Preposterous, right?
How often do you drink tea?
Daily
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
Factory
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
Ahmad Jasmin Green Tea
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
Hot
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
Teabag in a mug with hot water into the microwave for a minute twenty seconds, then steep for a couple of minutes
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
Milk
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
Wear a mask in public
What do you eat with your tea?
A cookie or two. Sometimes dark chocolate
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection?
No. It's just tea.
Did I forget to ask a critical tea-loving question? If so, please make up your own question and answer it!
Q: How much am I getting paid for answering this questionnaire?
A: Nothing
have a look on Youtube for "A Nice Cup of Tea Presented by Victoria Wood ". You might find it interesting..
lol!
Actually, I pay you my thanks and appreciation for participating! Not my undying thanks or my undying appreciation, because after all as you say, it's just tea.
Flagged for a later look, thanks!
When I was diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago, my daughter when on this health kick about what I eat and drink. My 2 pots of coffee a day was sacked, only allowed 2 cups, other then that it was decaf green tea or water...lots and lots and lots of water. I discovered that I wake up less for the bathroon during the night and my feet and ankles stopped retaining water so much. Now my main drink is tea and only have coffee once in a while.
How often do you drink tea?
2 or 3 cups of tea with caffine and 1 or 2 cups decaf after that.
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
Whatever's on sale or happens to be in stock, not really picky.
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
Chai tea, spiced apple tea and any other fruit type tea, though my favorite is the mixed berry. I prefer the decaf green for the last cups of the day.
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
I like it inbetween hot and warm, I don't want to burn my tongue.
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
A few minutes, unless I reuse the bags then it's longer then 5 minutes.
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
Honey, sometimes lemon juice and honey. Honey is the healthier choice since it's natural and no additives of any kind. Real honey, usually labelled raw and/or unpasterized, and if you add to the tea and can see is at the bottom of the cup (I use clearn glass cups) and has to be stirred to mix it, then you know it's real
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
Nothing wrong with experimentation, though in the end the choice should be what you prefer.
What do you eat with your tea?
Since I drink it throughout the day, I can have with meals, snacks, anything really.
How often do you drink tea?
Daily
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea?
Mass-produced
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often?
Itoen Matcha Green Tea (Traditiona)l
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced?
Hot
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use?
2-5 minutes
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"?
No
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest?
Try without sugar
What do you eat with your tea?
Nothing
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection?
Green is better than black IMO
I am a bubble tea (aka Boba tea) addict. It's sweet and blended milk green tea with large tapioca pearls added to it. I usually get some mixture of apple, watermelon, and peach flavors.
Otherwise, I usually drink coffee. I get decaf coffee so I can drink it in the evenings or after I've just had an energy drink. I add vanilla caramel creamer.
As for regular tea, I do drink it sometimes. During the summer I drink it iced and unsweetened. I buy it by the gallon or make it by the pitcher. I get the big boxes of Lipton black tea and follow the instructions on the box. I think it only needs to be steeped for 4 minutes.
I only drink hot tea when I am sick. Then I will have lavender with lemon tea (in a bag from a box) and some honey infused with thyme. I went through tons of tea when I thought I had Covid.
Thanks for your input. I think that's the 3rd or maybe the 4th vote for Matcha Green.
That's one heck of a colorful tea option, and the tapioca pearls looked at first as though they were chocolate chips. Talk about getting MY attention, lol!
Daily
Both.
These days I've been drinking a lot of Yogi Tea herbal teas, but I have various kinds from various brands.
I like Japanese matcha a lot, too.
Usually hot, but iced tea is fine in summer
I use an electric kettle for the water, temperature and time depend on the kind of tea.
No.
When I eat something with it it's usually chocolate, muffins, toasted bread or biscuits.
I have an electric kettle that has a temperature setting for green tea... a birthday preasent from long ago.
How often do you drink tea? I tend to drift between tea and coffee...so I'll switch back and forth.
Do you drink factory tea or small-batch/boutique tea? Yes? I'll drink anything that trips my interest...I even ordered this neat herbal stuff that was from Norway and had moss and all sorts of foresty stuff in it. It brewed up a purple/reddish color.
What's your favorite brand and flavor, and if different, what is the brand and flavor you drink most often? It's hard to pick a favorite because it really depends on my mood. I really like Earl Grey and I also really like Lapsang Souchong...two completely different teas for two completely different moods. I also like some herbal blends. The only thing I can explicitly say is that I do not like vanilla in tea. It doesn't belong there. Coffee, yes. Tea...yuck. The same goes for things like caramel and anything else that would make a better cake. Good brands...Twinings, Tea Forte, Republic of Tea, Tazo...those are all grocery brands. I'll even try niche stuff I find online that some rando gathered in their backyard, lol. I'd love to try some juniper tea or the stuff made with spruce tips.
Do you like your tea hot, at room temperature, or cold/iced? Yes.
How long do you steep your tea, and what method do you usually use? I'm not a snob, lol. I'll use tea sachets. I'll fill my own tea sachets. I'll use a diffuser with whole leaf. I don't really have a preference. I think the neatest tea gadget I have is a diffuser cup that goes into the tea cup...I use that for my loose leaf Lapsang Souchong.
Do you add anything to your tea, like sugar, cream, rose petals, or "other"? Nope. Black tea is the way to be!
If you had one recommendation for a "tea newbie" (ranging from tea selection to water temperature, steep time, etc), what would you suggest? Just try it? I guess? You'll never know what you'll like or dislike.
What do you eat with your tea? Nothing. I like to enjoy a cup of tea as just a cup of tea.
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your tea predilection? Nope, not really.
I usually use Indian Assam from Happy Lucky s Teahouse. I drink it all day!
This is loose tea that you put in a tea ball. I smash fresh ginger, clove, cinnamon and cardamom with a mortor and pestle- then toss the spices into boiling water for about 5 minutes ( makes the house smell lovely !) then put the diffuser full of tea in and steep 3 or 4 minutes. This is not Chai- as Chai contains milk and sugar.
https://happyluckys.com/pages/tea-knowledge- some nice info on tea here!
I'll also drink Earl Grey hot (channeling Piccard ) I never drink ice tea- even tho I live in Arizona!
Sometimes. I prefer coffee. If given a choice I will drink coffee. To me tea tastes like grass.
I drink herbal for health conditions and canned iced tea. Rarely I will have Thai iced tea.
I drink Hawaiian sun tropical iced tea with pineapple canned. I also drink herbal mullein tea since it's a bronchial dilator.
Herbal tea hot, sweet tea cold.
with herbal teas I tend to steep a long time. I will leave it to cook, return, remove the bag and drink it down.
no, aside from the bottled tea which is plenty sweet I tend to like tea plain. I drink tea largely for health benefits but I don't like the taste that much.
nothing
1 Three to four cups a day.
2 3 Queen of Assam imported directly from Assamica Agro in Assam. Ginger Peach Black tea from Positively Tea (Amazon). Both are loose leaf.
3 Hot (180 degrees). Steep for 2 -3 minutes. I like my teas strong but neither of these will get bitter if steeped for quite a bit longer. Drink them both black, nothing else.
4. Recommendation. See above. The Assam is malty but not bitter. The Ginger Peach Black tea is what it sounds like.. Enough Ginger to notice but not overpower. Prach for aroma and a little sweetness.
5. Breakfast in the morning, occasional cookie or English Muffin in the afternoon. I'm in the USA.
I prefer artificially sweetened soda. I have, all 0 Calorie - Caffeine Free Sam's Cola, Cherry Cola, Root Beer, Drop Red (a fruit punch of sorts), Orange, Lemon-Lime, Ginger-Ale, Dr Thunder (aka Dr Pepper), Mountain Lightning (akas Mountain Dew). I drink 3 litres, sometimes 4 litres a day. I but the cheap house brands Great Value, Sam's, or Big K, to avoid being bankrupted by soda drinking. I dislike bottled plastic tasting water or chlorine tasting tap water, a lot.
I also do drink one 8 ounce cup of Hills Bros Instant Cappuccino (Double Mocha, French Vanilla, English Toffee, White Chocolate Caramel) in the morning. I was drinking French Roast Espresso but quickly found out that real unfiltered coffee is horrendous for the teeth and body generally. I drink a cup or sometimes a pint.
I do also have a "library" full of various teas but I drink those mostly in cold weather. I always flavor with Splenda (Great Value equivalent) and make sweet but not syrup-like sweet. I often add a teaspoon - tablespoon of Great Value lemon juice concentrate. Flavors like Peppermint, Spearmint, Mint, Chamomile, Rooibos, Green, Black, Hibiscus, and a bunch of other 'Celestial Seasonings' brand flavors I bought out of curiosity but haven't tried yet. I also like Masala which is just black tea with masala spice mix (cinnamon seems the primary spice in the mix), a bit of sugar, and a bit of milk added. It's sort of pricey to make such a tea on my budget so I rarely drink it. I drink a cup or sometimes a pint.